Table of Contents<\/summary>\n\n- What is Apple Legacy Contact, and how Does It Work?<\/a><\/li>\n
- What do You Need to Add a Legacy Contact for Your Apple ID?<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to Add a Legacy Contact for Your Apple ID on iPhone, iPad, or Mac<\/a>\n
\n- How to Add Legacy Contact on iPhone and iPad<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to Add Legacy Contact on Mac<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to Add Legacy Contact if You're in a Family Sharing Group<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- How to Save or Share Legacy Contact Access Key<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to Remove a Legacy Contact on Your iPhone<\/a><\/li>\n
- How Your Legacy Contact Can View the Access Key<\/a><\/li>\n
- How a Legacy Contact Can Access Your Apple Account Data After You Die<\/a>\n
\n- Step 1: Gather the Required Information<\/a><\/li>\n
- Step 2: Submit a Legacy Request<\/a><\/li>\n
- Step 3: Sign In to the Legacy Data Account<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- What Data Can a Legacy Contact Access?<\/a><\/li>\n
- What Data a Legacy Contact Cannot Access<\/a><\/li>\n
- What If Your Family Member Has Died Without Setting Up a Legacy Contact<\/a><\/li>\n
- Digital Afterlife Sorted\u2026<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details><\/div>\n
What is Apple Legacy Contact, and how Does It Work?<\/h2>\n
Apple Legacy Contact, introduced in iOS 15, lets you choose someone you trust to access your iCloud data after you pass away. This includes photos, videos, notes, and other personal files, giving them a way to preserve your memories.<\/p>\n
Some data stays off limits. Purchased media, subscriptions, and anything stored in your iCloud Keychain like passwords, payment details, and passkeys can\u2019t be shared. Apple keeps this protected to respect your privacy, even after death.<\/p>\n
Your Legacy Contact doesn\u2019t have to be a family member. You can choose anyone, add more than one person, and they don\u2019t need an Apple device or an Apple ID to be assigned.<\/p>\n
To request access to your data from Apple servers, the Legacy Contact needs to provide the following:<\/p>\n
\n- The access key that was generated when you designated them as a Legacy Contact.<\/li>\n
- Your government-provided Death Certificate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Apple Legacy Contact is a feature that lets someone you trust access your iCloud data after you pass away. Once Apple verifies their access request, they receive a special Apple ID to sign in to your account. Your own Apple ID is then disabled, and Activation Lock is removed from any device linked to it.<\/p>\n
After access is granted, your Legacy Contact has three years to download your data before Apple deletes it from its servers. If you\u2019ve added multiple Legacy Contacts, each person can act independently, including choosing to delete your data permanently.<\/p>\n
What do You Need to Add a Legacy Contact for Your Apple ID?<\/h2>\n
Like every other advanced Apple feature, there is a basic criterion that you must fulfill to be able to create a Legacy Contact for your Apple ID:<\/p>\n
\n- An iPhone or iPad running on iOS 15.2 or iPadOS 15.2, and a Mac running on macOS Monterey 12.1.<\/li>\n
- All your Apple devices must be signed in with the same Apple ID.<\/li>\n
- Two-factor authentication enabled on your Apple ID<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- You must be over 13 years of age. (The age may vary depending on the country and region in which you live).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How to Add a Legacy Contact for Your Apple ID on iPhone, iPad, or Mac<\/h2>\n
When you add a Legacy Contact on your iPhone, it syncs across all devices signed in with the same Apple ID. If your devices use different Apple IDs, check out our guide on changing your Apple ID on iPhone, iPad, and Mac<\/a>.<\/p>\nHow to Add Legacy Contact on iPhone and iPad<\/h3>\n\n- Open the Settings<\/strong> app.<\/li>\n
- Tap on your profile at the top.<\/li>\n
- Here, tap on Sign-In and Security<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Scroll down and tap Legacy Contact<\/strong>, then tap the Add Legacy Contact<\/strong> button on the subsequent menu.
![\"Navigating](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\")
<\/li>\n- Again, tap the blue Add Legacy Contact<\/strong> button to confirm and authenticate with your Face ID<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Then, choose the contact you wish to make your Legacy Contact.<\/li>\n
- Once done, hit Continue<\/strong>, and the system will generate an access key for your account.
<\/li>\n- Tap on the Print Access Key<\/strong> tab.<\/li>\n
- Then, tap the Share<\/strong> button to share the access key with the selected contact or save it to the Files<\/strong> app.
<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nHow to Add Legacy Contact on Mac<\/h3>\n\n- Open System Settings<\/strong> on your Mac.<\/li>\n
- Click on your profile <\/strong>at the top.<\/li>\n
- Click on Sign-In & Security<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Next, select Legacy Contact<\/strong>.
<\/li>\n- Click on the Add <\/strong>button.
<\/li>\n- Then, click the Add Legacy Contact<\/strong> button.
<\/li>\n- Authenticate using the Mac’s password or Touch ID.
<\/li>\n - Next, click the +<\/strong> button, then choose the contact you wish to make your Legacy Contact.
<\/li>\n- Once done, click Next<\/strong>.
<\/li>\n- Then, click Continue<\/strong> on the subsequent prompt.
<\/li>\n- Again, click Continue<\/strong> on the Share Your Access Key<\/strong> prompt.
<\/li>\n- Finally, select Save as PDF<\/strong> to save the access key as a PDF document on your Mac, so you can share it with the chosen Legacy Contact later.
<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nHow to Add Legacy Contact if You’re in a Family Sharing Group<\/h3>\n
If you are a part of a Family Sharing group, all the members of the group will appear when you enter Legacy Contact settings. You can choose a contact from the group, or select Choose Someone Else to choose a contact outside your Family Sharing group. The rest of the process remains the same.<\/p>\n
How to Save or Share Legacy Contact Access Key<\/h2>\n
If you did not save or share the Legacy Contact access key at the time of creating it, you can save or share it later as well:<\/p>\n
\n- Go to the Legacy Contact settings and select the available Legacy Contact<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Here, tap on View Access Key<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Tap on Print a Copy<\/strong>.
<\/li>\n- Hit the Share<\/strong> button.<\/li>\n
- Now, you can save the access key to the Files app or share it with the contact using any app that allows file sharing.
<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nHow to Remove a Legacy Contact on Your iPhone<\/h2>\n
Friendships and relationships change over time; the level of trust you currently have in someone may not remain the same. That’s exactly why knowing how to remove a Legacy Contact from your Apple ID is essential.<\/p>\n
\n- Head to your Apple account settings on your iPhone and tap Legacy Contact<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Tap on the Legacy Contact you want to remove.
<\/li>\n - Next, tap on Remove Contact<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Now, again tap on Remove Contact<\/strong> on the confirmation prompt that appears.
<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nHow Your Legacy Contact Can View the Access Key<\/h2>\n
Once you assign someone as your Legacy Contact, Apple generates a secure Digital Legacy access key that they must present, along with your date of birth, to request access to your account. Apple stores this key in their Apple ID settings so they can retrieve it whenever needed. Here is how they can view it:<\/p>\n
From the Legacy Contact Invitation<\/strong>
Your Legacy Contact receives a notification and an iMessage containing the access key. If they choose to save it to their Apple ID, the key is automatically added to their account and synced across their devices.<\/p>\nFrom Apple ID Settings on iPhone or iPad<\/strong>
If they need to access the key again, they can find it directly in Settings.<\/p>\n\n- Go to Settings<\/strong> \u2192 Name<\/strong> \u2192 Sign-In & Security<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Tap Legacy Contact<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Choose your name under Legacy Contact For<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Tap View Access Key<\/strong> to display, save, or share it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Your Legacy Contact can store this key digitally or print a copy for safekeeping. Without this key, Apple cannot grant access to your data.<\/p>\n
How a Legacy Contact Can Access Your Apple Account Data After You Die<\/h2>\n
After your death, your Legacy Contact must complete Apple\u2019s verification process to receive access to your iCloud data and device information. Apple only grants access when the contact provides two elements:<\/p>\n
\n- The Digital Legacy access key<\/li>\n
- A verified death certificate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Once approved, they can download and manage your data for up to three years.<\/p>\n
Here’s how the complete process works:<\/p>\n
Step 1: Gather the Required Information<\/h3>\n
Your Legacy Contact needs:<\/p>\n
\n- The Digital Legacy access key you shared with them.<\/li>\n
- A certified death certificate issued by the appropriate authority.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Both must match the information saved in your Apple ID record, including your date of birth.<\/p>\n
Step 2: Submit a Legacy Request<\/h3>\n
They can begin the request from any device by visiting Apple\u2019s Digital Legacy portal:<\/p>\n
\n- Go to the Digital Legacy Request Access<\/a> page.<\/li>\n
- Select Request Access<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Enter the access key.<\/li>\n
- Upload the death certificate when prompted.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Apple verifies the details and informs the Legacy Contact once access is approved.<\/p>\n
Step 3: Sign In to the Legacy Data Account<\/h3>\n
After approval, Apple creates a special Legacy Contact Apple ID that lets them view and download your iCloud data. This account does not allow purchases, payment access, or use of your passwords. It exists solely to manage and export your data.<\/p>\n
Your Legacy Contact can:<\/p>\n
\n- Access iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive, Notes, Messages, and other eligible categories.<\/li>\n
- Download your data directly or export it as a ZIP archive.<\/li>\n
- Remove Activation Lock from your devices so they can be erased and reused.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Access to your data remains available for 3 years from the approval date. Once the three-year window completes, Apple permanently deletes the account and all associated data.<\/p>\n
What Data Can a Legacy Contact Access?<\/h2>\n
The data your Legacy Contact can request using the provided access key depends on the data you have in your iCloud storage. You cannot allow or restrict Legacy Contact access to a particular data type; it is either all or none.<\/p>\n
Data that a Legacy Contact might be able to access includes:<\/p>\n
\n- iCloud Photos<\/li>\n
- Notes<\/li>\n
- Mail<\/li>\n
- Contacts<\/li>\n
- Calendars<\/li>\n
- Reminders<\/li>\n
- Messages in iCloud<\/li>\n
- Call history<\/li>\n
- Files stored in iCloud Drive<\/li>\n
- Health Data<\/li>\n
- Voice Memos<\/li>\n
- Safari Bookmarks and Reading List<\/li>\n
- iCloud Backup<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What Data a Legacy Contact Cannot Access<\/h2>\n
Apple blocks access to certain categories for privacy, financial security, and DRM licensing reasons. A Legacy Contact cannot view or use:<\/p>\n
Sensitive or protected data<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Keychain items (passwords, passcodes, website passwords, Wi-Fi passwords, bank credentials).<\/li>\n
- Payment information, such as Apple Card, credit or debit cards.<\/li>\n
- Apple Pay transactions or stored cards.<\/li>\n
- Subscriptions and purchased content license rights.<\/li>\n
- In-app purchases.<\/li>\n
- Movies, music, books, or apps tied to your Apple ID via licenses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Other exclusions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Any data not synced to iCloud.<\/li>\n
- Data with third-party end-to-end encryption outside Apple\u2019s ecosystem.<\/li>\n
- Screen Time settings and restrictions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What If Your Family Member Has Died Without Setting Up a Legacy Contact<\/h2>\n
If a family member dies without assigning a Legacy Contact, you can still request access to their Apple data, but the process is more formal.<\/p>\n
To grant you access to the deceased person’s data, Apple requires a court order that authorizes you to obtain the deceased person’s digital information. The order must identify the deceased, confirm your authority, and specify what data Apple should release. Once submitted, Apple provides only the information the court permits.<\/p>\n
If you only need to erase or reuse their iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can request Activation Lock removal by submitting the death certificate, proof of ownership or inheritance, and the device\u2019s serial number. Apple will unlock the device, but no data is shared.<\/p>\n
Digital Afterlife Sorted\u2026<\/h2>\n
Apple\u2019s Legacy Contact lets your loved ones access your iCloud photos and data after you\u2019re gone. It also removes Activation Lock, so your devices stay usable instead of turning into pricey paperweights.<\/p>\n
\nFAQs<\/p>\n
\nWhat happens if the Legacy Contact loses the access key?<\/strong><\/strong><\/div>\n\nUnfortunately, the Legacy Contact will not be able to access the deceased person’s Apple account or data if they lose the access key.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nWho can be chosen as a Legacy Contact?<\/strong><\/strong><\/div>\n\nYou can choose anyone in your contact as your Legacy Contact, no matter whether or not they have an Apple ID.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
Read next:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- How to use Security Keys for Apple ID on iPhone, iPad, and Mac<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to create Apple ID Recovery Key on iPhone or iPad<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to secure your Apple ID on iPhone, iPad, and Mac<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The post How to Set Up a Legacy Contact for Your Apple ID<\/a> appeared first on iGeeksBlog<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Apple Legacy Contact lets you specify who can access your iCloud after your death. Learn how to add a Legacy Contact on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
\nThe post How to Set Up a Legacy Contact for Your Apple ID<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2009","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mac"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/valentinedaysgifts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2009","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/valentinedaysgifts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/valentinedaysgifts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/valentinedaysgifts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2009"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/valentinedaysgifts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2009\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/valentinedaysgifts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2009"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/valentinedaysgifts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2009"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/valentinedaysgifts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2009"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- \n
- How to Add Legacy Contact on iPhone and iPad<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to Add Legacy Contact on Mac<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to Add Legacy Contact if You're in a Family Sharing Group<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- How to Save or Share Legacy Contact Access Key<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to Remove a Legacy Contact on Your iPhone<\/a><\/li>\n
- How Your Legacy Contact Can View the Access Key<\/a><\/li>\n
- How a Legacy Contact Can Access Your Apple Account Data After You Die<\/a>\n
- \n
- Step 1: Gather the Required Information<\/a><\/li>\n
- Step 2: Submit a Legacy Request<\/a><\/li>\n
- Step 3: Sign In to the Legacy Data Account<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- What Data Can a Legacy Contact Access?<\/a><\/li>\n
- What Data a Legacy Contact Cannot Access<\/a><\/li>\n
- What If Your Family Member Has Died Without Setting Up a Legacy Contact<\/a><\/li>\n
- Digital Afterlife Sorted\u2026<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details><\/div>\n
What is Apple Legacy Contact, and how Does It Work?<\/h2>\n
Apple Legacy Contact, introduced in iOS 15, lets you choose someone you trust to access your iCloud data after you pass away. This includes photos, videos, notes, and other personal files, giving them a way to preserve your memories.<\/p>\n
Some data stays off limits. Purchased media, subscriptions, and anything stored in your iCloud Keychain like passwords, payment details, and passkeys can\u2019t be shared. Apple keeps this protected to respect your privacy, even after death.<\/p>\n
Your Legacy Contact doesn\u2019t have to be a family member. You can choose anyone, add more than one person, and they don\u2019t need an Apple device or an Apple ID to be assigned.<\/p>\n
To request access to your data from Apple servers, the Legacy Contact needs to provide the following:<\/p>\n
- \n
- The access key that was generated when you designated them as a Legacy Contact.<\/li>\n
- Your government-provided Death Certificate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Apple Legacy Contact is a feature that lets someone you trust access your iCloud data after you pass away. Once Apple verifies their access request, they receive a special Apple ID to sign in to your account. Your own Apple ID is then disabled, and Activation Lock is removed from any device linked to it.<\/p>\n
After access is granted, your Legacy Contact has three years to download your data before Apple deletes it from its servers. If you\u2019ve added multiple Legacy Contacts, each person can act independently, including choosing to delete your data permanently.<\/p>\n
What do You Need to Add a Legacy Contact for Your Apple ID?<\/h2>\n
Like every other advanced Apple feature, there is a basic criterion that you must fulfill to be able to create a Legacy Contact for your Apple ID:<\/p>\n
- \n
- An iPhone or iPad running on iOS 15.2 or iPadOS 15.2, and a Mac running on macOS Monterey 12.1.<\/li>\n
- All your Apple devices must be signed in with the same Apple ID.<\/li>\n
- Two-factor authentication enabled on your Apple ID<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- You must be over 13 years of age. (The age may vary depending on the country and region in which you live).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How to Add a Legacy Contact for Your Apple ID on iPhone, iPad, or Mac<\/h2>\n
When you add a Legacy Contact on your iPhone, it syncs across all devices signed in with the same Apple ID. If your devices use different Apple IDs, check out our guide on changing your Apple ID on iPhone, iPad, and Mac<\/a>.<\/p>\n
How to Add Legacy Contact on iPhone and iPad<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Open the Settings<\/strong> app.<\/li>\n
- Tap on your profile at the top.<\/li>\n
- Here, tap on Sign-In and Security<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Scroll down and tap Legacy Contact<\/strong>, then tap the Add Legacy Contact<\/strong> button on the subsequent menu.
<\/li>\n- Again, tap the blue Add Legacy Contact<\/strong> button to confirm and authenticate with your Face ID<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Then, choose the contact you wish to make your Legacy Contact.<\/li>\n
- Once done, hit Continue<\/strong>, and the system will generate an access key for your account.
<\/li>\n- Tap on the Print Access Key<\/strong> tab.<\/li>\n
- Then, tap the Share<\/strong> button to share the access key with the selected contact or save it to the Files<\/strong> app.
<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nHow to Add Legacy Contact on Mac<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Open System Settings<\/strong> on your Mac.<\/li>\n
- Click on your profile <\/strong>at the top.<\/li>\n
- Click on Sign-In & Security<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Next, select Legacy Contact<\/strong>.
<\/li>\n- Click on the Add <\/strong>button.
<\/li>\n- Then, click the Add Legacy Contact<\/strong> button.
<\/li>\n- Authenticate using the Mac’s password or Touch ID.
<\/li>\n- Next, click the +<\/strong> button, then choose the contact you wish to make your Legacy Contact.
<\/li>\n- Once done, click Next<\/strong>.
<\/li>\n- Then, click Continue<\/strong> on the subsequent prompt.
<\/li>\n- Again, click Continue<\/strong> on the Share Your Access Key<\/strong> prompt.
<\/li>\n- Finally, select Save as PDF<\/strong> to save the access key as a PDF document on your Mac, so you can share it with the chosen Legacy Contact later.
<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nHow to Add Legacy Contact if You’re in a Family Sharing Group<\/h3>\n
If you are a part of a Family Sharing group, all the members of the group will appear when you enter Legacy Contact settings. You can choose a contact from the group, or select Choose Someone Else to choose a contact outside your Family Sharing group. The rest of the process remains the same.<\/p>\n
How to Save or Share Legacy Contact Access Key<\/h2>\n
If you did not save or share the Legacy Contact access key at the time of creating it, you can save or share it later as well:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Go to the Legacy Contact settings and select the available Legacy Contact<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Here, tap on View Access Key<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Tap on Print a Copy<\/strong>.
<\/li>\n- Hit the Share<\/strong> button.<\/li>\n
- Now, you can save the access key to the Files app or share it with the contact using any app that allows file sharing.
<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nHow to Remove a Legacy Contact on Your iPhone<\/h2>\n
Friendships and relationships change over time; the level of trust you currently have in someone may not remain the same. That’s exactly why knowing how to remove a Legacy Contact from your Apple ID is essential.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Head to your Apple account settings on your iPhone and tap Legacy Contact<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Tap on the Legacy Contact you want to remove.
<\/li>\n- Next, tap on Remove Contact<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Now, again tap on Remove Contact<\/strong> on the confirmation prompt that appears.
<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nHow Your Legacy Contact Can View the Access Key<\/h2>\n
Once you assign someone as your Legacy Contact, Apple generates a secure Digital Legacy access key that they must present, along with your date of birth, to request access to your account. Apple stores this key in their Apple ID settings so they can retrieve it whenever needed. Here is how they can view it:<\/p>\n
From the Legacy Contact Invitation<\/strong>
Your Legacy Contact receives a notification and an iMessage containing the access key. If they choose to save it to their Apple ID, the key is automatically added to their account and synced across their devices.<\/p>\nFrom Apple ID Settings on iPhone or iPad<\/strong>
If they need to access the key again, they can find it directly in Settings.<\/p>\n- \n
- Go to Settings<\/strong> \u2192 Name<\/strong> \u2192 Sign-In & Security<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Tap Legacy Contact<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Choose your name under Legacy Contact For<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Tap View Access Key<\/strong> to display, save, or share it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Your Legacy Contact can store this key digitally or print a copy for safekeeping. Without this key, Apple cannot grant access to your data.<\/p>\n
How a Legacy Contact Can Access Your Apple Account Data After You Die<\/h2>\n
After your death, your Legacy Contact must complete Apple\u2019s verification process to receive access to your iCloud data and device information. Apple only grants access when the contact provides two elements:<\/p>\n
- \n
- The Digital Legacy access key<\/li>\n
- A verified death certificate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Once approved, they can download and manage your data for up to three years.<\/p>\n
Here’s how the complete process works:<\/p>\n
Step 1: Gather the Required Information<\/h3>\n
Your Legacy Contact needs:<\/p>\n
- \n
- The Digital Legacy access key you shared with them.<\/li>\n
- A certified death certificate issued by the appropriate authority.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Both must match the information saved in your Apple ID record, including your date of birth.<\/p>\n
Step 2: Submit a Legacy Request<\/h3>\n
They can begin the request from any device by visiting Apple\u2019s Digital Legacy portal:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Go to the Digital Legacy Request Access<\/a> page.<\/li>\n
- Select Request Access<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Enter the access key.<\/li>\n
- Upload the death certificate when prompted.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Apple verifies the details and informs the Legacy Contact once access is approved.<\/p>\n
Step 3: Sign In to the Legacy Data Account<\/h3>\n
After approval, Apple creates a special Legacy Contact Apple ID that lets them view and download your iCloud data. This account does not allow purchases, payment access, or use of your passwords. It exists solely to manage and export your data.<\/p>\n
Your Legacy Contact can:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Access iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive, Notes, Messages, and other eligible categories.<\/li>\n
- Download your data directly or export it as a ZIP archive.<\/li>\n
- Remove Activation Lock from your devices so they can be erased and reused.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Access to your data remains available for 3 years from the approval date. Once the three-year window completes, Apple permanently deletes the account and all associated data.<\/p>\n
What Data Can a Legacy Contact Access?<\/h2>\n
The data your Legacy Contact can request using the provided access key depends on the data you have in your iCloud storage. You cannot allow or restrict Legacy Contact access to a particular data type; it is either all or none.<\/p>\n
Data that a Legacy Contact might be able to access includes:<\/p>\n
- \n
- iCloud Photos<\/li>\n
- Notes<\/li>\n
- Mail<\/li>\n
- Contacts<\/li>\n
- Calendars<\/li>\n
- Reminders<\/li>\n
- Messages in iCloud<\/li>\n
- Call history<\/li>\n
- Files stored in iCloud Drive<\/li>\n
- Health Data<\/li>\n
- Voice Memos<\/li>\n
- Safari Bookmarks and Reading List<\/li>\n
- iCloud Backup<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What Data a Legacy Contact Cannot Access<\/h2>\n
Apple blocks access to certain categories for privacy, financial security, and DRM licensing reasons. A Legacy Contact cannot view or use:<\/p>\n
Sensitive or protected data<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- Keychain items (passwords, passcodes, website passwords, Wi-Fi passwords, bank credentials).<\/li>\n
- Payment information, such as Apple Card, credit or debit cards.<\/li>\n
- Apple Pay transactions or stored cards.<\/li>\n
- Subscriptions and purchased content license rights.<\/li>\n
- In-app purchases.<\/li>\n
- Movies, music, books, or apps tied to your Apple ID via licenses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Other exclusions<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- Any data not synced to iCloud.<\/li>\n
- Data with third-party end-to-end encryption outside Apple\u2019s ecosystem.<\/li>\n
- Screen Time settings and restrictions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What If Your Family Member Has Died Without Setting Up a Legacy Contact<\/h2>\n
If a family member dies without assigning a Legacy Contact, you can still request access to their Apple data, but the process is more formal.<\/p>\n
To grant you access to the deceased person’s data, Apple requires a court order that authorizes you to obtain the deceased person’s digital information. The order must identify the deceased, confirm your authority, and specify what data Apple should release. Once submitted, Apple provides only the information the court permits.<\/p>\n
If you only need to erase or reuse their iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can request Activation Lock removal by submitting the death certificate, proof of ownership or inheritance, and the device\u2019s serial number. Apple will unlock the device, but no data is shared.<\/p>\n
Digital Afterlife Sorted\u2026<\/h2>\n
Apple\u2019s Legacy Contact lets your loved ones access your iCloud photos and data after you\u2019re gone. It also removes Activation Lock, so your devices stay usable instead of turning into pricey paperweights.<\/p>\n
\nFAQs<\/p>\n
\nWhat happens if the Legacy Contact loses the access key?<\/strong><\/strong><\/div>\n\nUnfortunately, the Legacy Contact will not be able to access the deceased person’s Apple account or data if they lose the access key.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nWho can be chosen as a Legacy Contact?<\/strong><\/strong><\/div>\n\nYou can choose anyone in your contact as your Legacy Contact, no matter whether or not they have an Apple ID.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
Read next:<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- How to use Security Keys for Apple ID on iPhone, iPad, and Mac<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to create Apple ID Recovery Key on iPhone or iPad<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to secure your Apple ID on iPhone, iPad, and Mac<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The post How to Set Up a Legacy Contact for Your Apple ID<\/a> appeared first on iGeeksBlog<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Apple Legacy Contact lets you specify who can access your iCloud after your death. Learn how to add a Legacy Contact on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
\nThe post How to Set Up a Legacy Contact for Your Apple ID<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2009","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mac"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/valentinedaysgifts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2009","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/valentinedaysgifts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/valentinedaysgifts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/valentinedaysgifts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2009"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/valentinedaysgifts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2009\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/valentinedaysgifts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2009"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/valentinedaysgifts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2009"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/valentinedaysgifts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2009"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}} - How to create Apple ID Recovery Key on iPhone or iPad<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to use Security Keys for Apple ID on iPhone, iPad, and Mac<\/a><\/li>\n
- Select Request Access<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Go to the Digital Legacy Request Access<\/a> page.<\/li>\n
- Tap Legacy Contact<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Tap on the Legacy Contact you want to remove.
- Here, tap on View Access Key<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Click on your profile <\/strong>at the top.<\/li>\n
- You must be over 13 years of age. (The age may vary depending on the country and region in which you live).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Step 2: Submit a Legacy Request<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to Add Legacy Contact on Mac<\/a><\/li>\n
![\"Navigating](\"https:\/\/www.igeeksblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Select-Legacy-contact-from-Sign-in-and-Security-in-Settings.jpg\")
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<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n![\"Viewing](\"https:\/\/www.igeeksblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Select-your-legacy-contact-to-view-access-key-click-on-Print-a-copy-in-Settings.jpg\")
<\/li>\n![\"iOS](\"https:\/\/www.igeeksblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Share-Legacy-Contact-access-key-on-iPhone.jpeg\")
<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n![\"Accessing](\"https:\/\/www.igeeksblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Select-available-legacy-contact-in-Settings-on-iPhone.jpg\")
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<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n