A digital assets inventory is a comprehensive document listing all your online accounts, digital files, and digital assets — along with enough information for your executor or heirs to manage or access each one. It's the foundation of any digital legacy plan.
Why You Need a Digital Assets Inventory
Without a digital inventory, your executor faces a nearly impossible task: tracking down every account, subscription, and digital file you owned — often without knowing they exist. Accounts may keep charging. Cryptocurrency may be permanently lost. Photos may disappear from cloud services. Financial accounts may go undiscovered.
An inventory solves all of this — but it needs to be both comprehensive and kept updated.
What to Include
Financial Accounts
- Online banking (account numbers, institution names)
- Investment and brokerage accounts
- PayPal, Venmo, Cash App balances
- Cryptocurrency wallets (see our guide to cryptocurrency in estate planning)
Email Accounts
List all email addresses you actively use — work and personal. Note the provider (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) and any recovery information.
Social Media
List all platforms where you have accounts, your handle/username, and your preference for what should happen to each (memorialize, delete, transfer content). See our guide on social media accounts after death.
Subscriptions and Recurring Payments
- Streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, etc.)
- Software subscriptions (Adobe, Microsoft 365, etc.)
- Cloud storage (iCloud, Google One, Dropbox)
- News and magazine subscriptions
- Gaming accounts
- Membership sites
Online Shopping and Retail
- Amazon account (and any stored gift cards or credits)
- eBay, Etsy seller accounts
- Loyalty and rewards programs
Professional and Business Accounts
- Domain names and website hosting
- Business email accounts
- Social media for business
- Software-as-a-service tools
Digital Files and Storage
- Cloud photo services (Google Photos, iCloud Photos, Amazon Photos)
- Cloud document storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive)
- Local storage locations (computer backups, external drives)
Accounts with Monetary Value
- App store accounts (iTunes credits, Google Play credits)
- Gaming accounts with significant virtual assets
- Airline miles and hotel points (see our guide on loyalty points after death)
- Gift cards
How to Store the Inventory Securely
A digital assets inventory contains sensitive information — treat it accordingly. Options include:
- Password manager with emergency access: Tools like 1Password, Bitwarden, and Dashlane offer emergency access features that allow a designated person to request access. See our guide to password management for heirs.
- Digital vault: A dedicated app like Better Legacy lets you store this information securely. See our guide to using a digital vault.
- Encrypted document: A spreadsheet or document encrypted with a strong password, with the master password stored securely with a trusted person.
- Paper document in a secure location: A printed list stored in a fireproof safe or safe deposit box, with your executor informed of its location.
Keep It Updated
A digital assets inventory is only useful if it's current. Set a calendar reminder to review and update it annually — or whenever you create a new significant account.
For the full picture of digital legacy planning, see our complete guide to managing your digital legacy.