Don’t leave your family out: a digital legacy guide
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This is not a happy topic. But it’s essential advice whether you’re 30 or 90.
If something happened to you tomorrow, could your family come into your digital life? I’m talking about your bank accounts, emails, cryptocurrencies, and a lifetime of memories stored on your phone or computer.
Big tech companies and other companies won’t hand over your data or passwords, even to your spouse, without problems, if at all.
1. The 10 minute setting
Start with a legacy contact. Think of someone you trust and who has access only after you are gone. Who is that? Good.
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· iPhone: Open Settings > touch [Your Name]. Tap Login and security > Legacy Contact. Gonna Add legacy contact and follow the directions.
· Google: Look for Inactive account manager in your Google account settings. Choose how long Google should wait before acting (for example, three months). Add up to 10 people to receive notifications and choose what data (Photos, Drive, Gmail) they can download.
Google has an “Inactive Account Manager” feature. (Chesnot/Getty Images)
2. The master key problem
Apple and Google don’t help with banking, insurance, investing, or other sites or apps. You need a solid password manager like NordPass that offers emergency access features.
1. Open your Password Manager and search emergency access.
2. Add a digital heir: Enter the email of a trusted spouse or child.
3. Set security delay: Choose a waiting period. Generally 7 days It is the ideal point.
4. How it works: If your contact ever requests access, the app sends you an alert. If you’re fine, you hit Deny. But if they are incapacitated and unable to respond within those seven days, the vault is automatically unlocked for them.
For advice: Your emergency contact only gets viewing privileges. They cannot delete or change anything in your vault.
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Facebook and Instagram have after-death account options. (Karly Domb Sadof, Archive/AP)
3. Crypto and social networks
· Crypto: Without your opening sentences, that money is gone. Physically keep them along with instructions and receipts from your cryptocurrency purchase with your estate documentation. If you use a crypto hardware wallet, store it in a fireproof safe.
· Social networks: On Facebook or Instagram, go to Settings > Memorialization. Choose to have your account deleted or managed by a contact who can post a final tribute.
Make sure someone knows your phone password. This is important, among other things, for 2FA codes.
One more thing. If you found this guide helpful, be sure to receive my free newsletter at GetKim.com to stay safe and tech-savvy every day.
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