When a family member passes: getting into their phone the right way

After someone passes, their phone often holds the photos and messages the family wants most, and it's usually locked. We help families through this regularly. The answer is never to "crack" the phone: modern phones are built so that can't be done, and anyone promising it is taking your money. The official routes work, though, and we can help you through them.

Apple (iPhone, iPad, Mac)

• If they set up a Legacy Contact, that person can request access with the access key (in their settings, printed out, or with their estate papers) and the death certificate. This is the easiest way
• Without one, Apple asks for a court order naming you as the rightful inheritor of their information, along with the death certificate
• Start at Apple's "request access to a deceased family member's account" page. Some data is end-to-end encrypted and even Apple can't open it

Google (Android, Gmail, Google Photos)

• If they set up Google's Inactive Account Manager, the people they chose may already receive access
• Otherwise, immediate family can send Google a request about a deceased user's account. Google reviews each one; it may close the account or release some content, but never gives out passwords
• Ask for the content before asking to close the account: once closed, Google can't release anything later

Look for what's already reachable

• A computer that isn't locked may hold synced photos
• Photos they shared with family, or posted
• Their phone's carrier can usually close the phone line separately

How we help

We'll sit down with you, work out which route applies, help gather what's needed, and set things up so the photos land safely with the family once access is granted. We never try to break into a locked device.

For yourself, today

Set up a Legacy Contact (iPhone: Settings, your name, Sign-In & Security, Legacy Contact) or Google's Inactive Account Manager. It takes five minutes and saves your family a court order.

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