In 2021, Apple introduced the Legacy Contact feature — allowing you to designate a trusted person who can access your Apple ID data after your death. If you store photos, messages, notes, health data, or other files in your Apple ecosystem, setting up a Legacy Contact is one of the most important digital legacy steps you can take.
What Is an Apple Legacy Contact?
An Apple Legacy Contact is someone you designate through your Apple ID settings. After your death, they can request access to your Apple ID data using an access key you provide and an official death certificate. Apple verifies the request and provides the Legacy Contact with a special account that can access most (but not all) of your iCloud data.
What Can a Legacy Contact Access?
Your Legacy Contact can access:
- iCloud Photos (photos and videos)
- iCloud Drive (documents and files)
- iCloud Mail
- iCloud Contacts
- iCloud Calendars
- iCloud Backups (device backups)
- Notes
- Reminders
- Safari Bookmarks and History
- Health data
- Wallet passes
They cannot access: iMessage history (encrypted), FaceTime call history, payment information, passwords stored in iCloud Keychain, licensed media (movies, music, books), or App Store purchases.
How to Set Up an Apple Legacy Contact
On iPhone (iOS 15.2 or later):
- Go to Settings
- Tap your name at the top
- Select Sign-In & Security
- Tap Legacy Contact
- Tap Add Legacy Contact
- Choose a contact (they must have an Apple ID)
- Share your access key with them — this can be done via AirDrop, message, or printed QR code
On Mac (macOS 12.1 or later):
- Open System Preferences → Apple ID
- Select Password & Security
- Click Legacy Contact
- Follow the setup prompts
The Access Key
The access key is a code that your Legacy Contact must have in addition to your death certificate to request access. There are two options:
- Store it digitally: Share via iMessage (Apple retains a copy that your Legacy Contact can retrieve)
- Print it: Print the access key as a QR code and store it with your other legacy documents
If you store the access key only with your Legacy Contact and lose touch with them, or if they can't find it, access may not be possible. Consider keeping a printed copy with your other important documents and telling your Legacy Contact where to find it.
Limitations
Apple Legacy Contact access expires after three years. The access is to a copy of your data, not a live account — the Legacy Contact gets a window to download what they need, not ongoing access to your Apple ID.
For the complete picture of digital planning, see our complete guide to managing your digital legacy. See also our guide on Google's Inactive Account Manager.