3 Simple Ways to Share Your Digital Legacy

In today's world, it is likely that you are one of the 276.14 million people in the U.S. that use a smartphone in your daily life (Howarth, 2025). In fact. the likelihood that you use this device to manage a majority of your work and personal life is incredibly high - 81.6 percent, according to this year's smartphone statistics (Howarth, 2025). What does this data mean? It means that a significant part of your life resides within the digital universe that is the worldwide web and that means it requires protection after you die, just like the physical aspects of your life and legacy.

Estate Plans that include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advanced directives, and instructions for medical wishes and final arrangements allow you to designate trusted people to take care of you and your legacy if you become incapacitated or die. With just a few simple steps, you can set up Legacy Contacts or Sharing Groups on your smartphone or smart-device that designate trusted people who can access your various accounts as needed. 

There are many stories of loved ones who serve as the main organizer of accounts; bill-payer, social media manager, streaming afficionado, and more, who pass away and leave their loved ones scrambling to take over or manage their digital accounts. Whether you are an Apple or Android user, you can empower those you love and trust by giving them access to your digital legacy.

For Apple Users: Creating a Legacy Contact

A Legacy Contact has access to the data in your Apple account after your death. This access includes photos, videos, notes, documents and personal information stored in your iCloud. You can designate more than one Legacy Contact and they do not need to be Apple users or have Apple devices. Your Legacy Contact will need to provide the access key that is generated when you set them up and a copy of your death certificate to claim the role. Once these are verified, they will have three years to access your account before it is permanently deleted.

Steps to Set Up Legacy Contacts on iPhone or iPad

1. Go to settings, then tap your name.
2. Tap Sign-In & Security, then tap Legacy Contact.
3. Select Add Legacy Contact. Once you do this, a screen will pop up explaining what a Legacy Contact is and how it works. 
4. Tap Add Legacy Contact, again. You will now be able to select a person from your Contacts list in your phone. You will see a screen pop up reminding you that your chosen Legacy Contact will be able to access your data after your death, but not your iCloud Keychain (which houses your passwords) or licensed media.
5. On the next screen, you will have the option to print the access key or send it to your chosen contact. Whichever option you choose, ensure that it is easy for your Legacy Contact to find it when it is needed.
6. You will then be taken to a screen that confirms your Legacy Contact has been added. You will, also, need to verify that your birth date listed on your Apple account is correct. This ensures smooth verification in the future for your Legacy Contact. 

Steps to Set Up Legacy Contacts on Mac

1. Open the Apple menu.
2. Select System Settings and then your name.
3. Click on Sign-In & Security, then select Legacy Contact.
4. Select, Add Legacy Contact. You will be guided through a similar series of screens as described above in the iPad and iPhone steps. 

For Apple & Android Users: Setting Up a Sharing Group

Members of a Sharing Group have access to any passwords (saved to your iCloud Keychain) that you choose to share with the group during your lifetime. You can create more than one Sharing Group to provide different members with varied access to select passwords. For example, you may wish to grant access to home security app passwords to your spouse only, or grant access to media streaming platforms to other friends or family. 

Steps to Set Up Sharing Groups on iPhone or iPad

1. Open the Passwords App.
2. Select, New Shared Group.
3. Type in a name for your Shared Group. i.e., "Kids," "Friends," etc.
4. Select Add People. Here, you will type in the name of a contact or contacts, select their name and add them to your group.
5. Click Create once you have added everyone that you would like to be in your group.
6. Select the passwords you would like to share with your group, then select move.
7. You will see a screen that explains that members of the group will have access to the passwords you've selected. You will have the option to notify members of this access via text messages. Selecting this option will start a group message in your messages app. You may edit the auto-fill message as you wish and notify the entire group.
8. You also have the option to skip notifying members at this time by clicking, "Not Now." This allows you to go back and edit the passwords to be shared with group members. 

For Android Users: Setting Up a Legacy Contact

With a Google account, if your account is inactive for 3, 6, 12, or 18-months (you choose the time period) then Google sends you a text and email reminder before determining your account to be inactive. Once your account is determined to be inactive, your Legacy Contact will be notified. In addition to selecting the length of time before your account is determined to be inactive, you can also select which portions of your Google-connected accounts your Legacy Contact can access. 

Steps to Set Up Legacy Contacts on Android

1. Open the Google app or go to your Google account settings.
2. Select, Data & Privacy. 
3. Click on More Options.
4. Choose Make a plan for your digital legacy. You will see a screen with an explanation of how the digital legacy works. 
5. Select Start.
6. Choose your time period for account inactivity, provide your phone number, contact email (the primary email associated with your account), and recovery email (the backup email associated with your Google account). 
7. Click Next. 
8. You will then be able to select up to 10 people to notify that your account has become inactive and indicate what data each person can access.
9. Click Next.
10. Next, you can add your Legacy Contacts' phone numbers as a way to provide two-factor authentication for your chosen contacts and notify them of this process.
11. Select Save and then Next.
12. You will now have the option to use the toggle button to decide whether or not you would like your account deleted 3 months following notification being sent to your Legacy Contacts. 
13. Click Next.
14. Review your selections, make any changes by selecting which one to edit, and then select Confirm Plan. 

That's it. Your digital legacy is shared!

Are you interested in learning more about how Estate Planning can protect your family and give them the access they need to your iPhone or Android device? We are happy to guide you through the process to make sure you leave the legacy you want instead of a complicated mess. Call us at 720-340-2783 today, or click here to schedule a consultation today!