Protect Your iCloud Photos with a Legacy Contact
Just a few days ago, on my professional industry’s Facebook group, a member asked about unlocking the iPhone of a client’s deceased uncle. The family didn’t have a passcode or his Apple password. There was no fingerprint or facial identification available. In short, they could not access his photos. And in situations like this, Apple is unlikely to help due to its stringent privacy policy. Such a sad story!
Apple’s Legacy Contact Feature
But there is hope. Recently Apple created the Legacy Contact feature, which allows each person with an Apple ID to select someone who can access the account when the owner dies.
Your Legacy Contact (you can designate more than one) can access data in your iCloud account, such as photos, messages, notes, files, apps, and backups. They will not be able to access purchased items such as movies, music, or books or passwords and payment information stored in your Keychain.
Setup Your Own Legacy Contact
The good news is that setting up your own iCloud Legacy Contact is easy.
On your iPhone or iPad:
- Open Settings, then tap on your name.
- Select Password & Security.
- Select Legacy Contact.
- Select Add Legacy Contact, then select Add Legacy Contact again.
- If you have a family sharing group tied to your Apple ID, they will show up, and you can select one of them or click Choose Someone Else.
- Click Continue.
- Share your access key by either printing it to give to your chosen contact or to put with your estate planning documents like your will or by sending them the access key.
- If you want to add a second legacy contact, repeat the steps above.
On your Mac:
- Open System Preferences.
- Click Apple ID.
- Click Password & Security (under your photo).
- Select Legacy Contact – Manage.
- Click the + button.
- You will probably be asked to authenticate with your password (the one you use to log into your computer, NOT your Apple ID password) or fingerprint.
- Follow steps 5-7 above.
Each person you chose as a Legacy Contact will receive an access key specific to them. Change your mind? You can always go back in and remove someone as your Legacy Contact, and their access key will no longer work.
After you pass away, your Legacy Contact can file an access request with Apple. They will need the access key you generate for them and your death certificate.
You only need to do this process once on one device. The Legacy Contact is good for all devices connected to your iCloud account.
Legacy Contact for Peace of Mind
Creating your own Legacy Contact can bring you peace of mind in knowing that your loved ones will be able to access your photos and videos after you are gone.
It literally took me less than 5 minutes to set up 3 Legacy Contacts for my Apple ID. Aren’t your precious memories worth 5 minutes of your time?
If you or a loved one needs help with this process, let’s set up a Personal Photo Coaching session to walk through it together. I’d love to help.
For more information on what happens to your photos when you die, check out this post.
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We keep learning about new services for which a Legacy Contact is recommended and available. It’s hard to keep track of, but good to know. Thanks, Andi!
Things are always changing, aren’t they?
This is essential information. I will definitely do this. Thank you for sharing the clear instructions for how to go about it. I’m assuming that setting it up on one of the Apple devices you named will give access to all of the linked Apple devices. I have an iMac, iPad, and iPhone. So I only have to set this up from one place? Is that correct?
Yes, you just need to do it on one device and it will cover everything in your iCloud account.
This is becoming more and more of an essential feature. I wish there were a central clearinghouse/database for information about setting up legacy accounts, closing accounts, etc., for all social media and similar accounts. I’m SO glad you’ve brought this to our attention. I’m going to set mine up immediately!
What a great idea! I’m not a Mac user, but have charged this post with my sister who is.
This was a great idea Andi! I did not know that this option was available on my iPhone/Mac. I will share this info with my family. Thank you for sharing!
I’m a bit late reading this, but I’ve set up my three contacts. Thank you so much, Andi.
[…] Learn how to set up your Apple Legacy Contact here. […]