Reference
A platform-by-platform guide to posthumous account access. What major tech companies, banks, and services do with your accounts after death, and how your family can gain access.
There is no universal standard for how companies handle accounts after death. Each platform has its own policies, ranging from full access for family members to complete account deletion with no data retrieval. The process typically requires legal documentation such as a death certificate and proof of relationship.
Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive, YouTube
Google offers the Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to designate trusted contacts who can receive your data after a period of inactivity (3-18 months). You can also choose to have your account automatically deleted.
iCloud, Apple ID, Photos, iCloud Drive, Apple Music
Apple introduced Legacy Contacts in iOS 15/macOS Monterey. Legacy contacts can access your data after your death with a special access key and your death certificate. Without a legacy contact, Apple requires a court order.
Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp
Facebook allows you to designate a Legacy Contact who can manage your memorialized account (post tributes, update profile photo) but cannot log in as you or see private messages. Alternatively, you can request account deletion upon death.
Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox, Microsoft 365
Microsoft's Next of Kin process allows family members to request content from a deceased user's account. However, the process is involved and Microsoft emphasizes privacy of the deceased.
Bank accounts, investment accounts, credit cards
Financial institutions have legal obligations and established processes for handling deceased customers' accounts. Access typically goes to the executor of the estate or surviving joint account holders.
Important: Digital purchases (music, movies, ebooks, games) are typically licensed, not owned. Most platforms do not allow transfer of digital libraries to family members after death. The purchases are tied to the account and license.
Account cannot be transferred. Family can request closure. Playlists and saved music are not transferable.
Account cannot be transferred. Family can close account. Viewing history and profiles are not transferable.
Digital content is licensed, not owned, and cannot be transferred. Family can request account closure. Physical purchase history may be available.
Games are licensed and not transferable. Valve may, on a case-by-case basis, grant family access to the library, but this is not guaranteed.
Digital purchases are non-transferable. Family can request account closure. Some family sharing features may allow continued access if set up beforehand.
Given the inconsistent and often limited options for family access, preparation is essential. Here's what you can do now:
Set up Google Inactive Account Manager, Apple Legacy Contact, and Facebook Legacy Contact. These take minutes and dramatically simplify access for your family.
Maintain a list of your accounts, what they contain, and their importance. Your family needs to know what accounts exist before they can request access.
Use a password manager with emergency access features, or a dedicated digital legacy service. Don't rely on paper lists that can be lost or found by the wrong person.
POD (payable on death) designations bypass probate. Review and update these after major life events (marriage, divorce, birth of children).
Your preparation is useless if nobody knows about it. Tell your executor, spouse, or trusted family member where to find your digital legacy information.
Platform policies are inconsistent and often unhelpful. EstateHelm puts you in control: document your accounts, credentials, and instructions in one place, and your family gets access directly—no requests, no waiting, no lawyers.