Make Your Digital Estate Plan

List every account you can think of, in three buckets. No passwords yet, just the list, and what you’d want to happen to each one. Tap a suggestion to add it, or type your own.

• My list is as complete as I can make it today. You’ll remember more later. Add them whenever they come to you.

A Google Doc full of passwords is the worst place for them: it’s not secure, and if nobody can get into your Google account, nobody can open the doc either.

• Put every login from your list in a password manager. Make a folder or collection just for this, called something like “Estate access.”

  I use Dashlane, and there are plenty of good ones. Whichever you pick, it’s the one place your family needs to get into.

• Set up your password manager’s way in for family. Each one handles this differently, so check yours: 1Password has a printable Emergency Kit, Bitwarden has Emergency Access, Apple’s Passwords app can share a group of passwords with someone you trust, and Dashlane can share items with another Dashlane user.

  Dashlane retired its old emergency contact feature. Its help page now suggests sharing items, or saving a secure export file and giving its password to your trusted person separately.

• Write down your phone passcode. Your family can have every password and still get stuck, because most accounts text a six-digit code to your phone before they let anyone in. Your phone passcode opens those texts, your authenticator app, your photos, and your wallet apps.

  Put it in your password manager and in the sealed envelope below. I made a quick video on this one.

• Save your backup codes. When you turn on two-step verification, many accounts give you a set of backup codes. Keep the ones for your email and your bank with the rest of your logins.
• Make a paper backup. Print your most important logins and your phone passcode, and seal them in an envelope with your will or in a fireproof safe. Low-tech, but it works when a password manager feels like too much in a hard week.

  Change a password? Update the envelope too.

These settings only work if you set them up ahead of time, and none of them talk to each other. Type who you picked, and it goes straight into your letter.

• Apple: add a Legacy Contact. They get an access key. With that key and a death certificate, they can ask Apple for your photos, messages, notes, files, and device backups. Share the key by message, or print it for your envelope. Where to find it: Settings›Your name›Sign-In & Security›Legacy Contact

  Not included: movies, music, and apps you bought, and the passwords in your iCloud Keychain. That’s another reason for step 2.

  Your Apple Legacy Contact
• Google: set up Inactive Account Manager. Choose how long Google waits after you stop signing in, and up to 10 people who get your Gmail, Photos, Drive, and more. I’d set it to 12 months. Where to find it: myaccount.google.com›Data & privacy›Make a plan for your digital legacy

  Skip this and Google may delete an account that’s been inactive for two years. You can also go straight to myaccount.google.com/inactive.

  Your Google trusted contacts
• Facebook: choose a legacy contact (or delete after death). Your legacy contact can write a pinned post, update your profile and cover photo, request removal, and download what you shared if you allow it. They can’t log in as you or read your messages. They need to be a Facebook friend. Where to find it: Settings & privacy›Settings›Accounts Center›Account ownership and control›Memorialization Your Facebook legacy contact
• Instagram: choose a legacy contact too. This is newer. Your legacy contact can update your profile picture and manage tags, and download your posts if you allow it. They can’t post, send messages, or read your messages. You can pick Delete After Death instead. Where to find it: Settings›Accounts Center›Personal details›Account ownership and control›Memorialization Your Instagram legacy contact
• Microsoft: make sure the login is in your password manager. Microsoft has no legacy setting, and it won’t give family access without a court order. With your login, your family can save what they need. Without it, Outlook.com and OneDrive freeze after a year of no use.
• Everyone else: logins and wishes. Most other companies (Amazon, streaming, banks) don’t have a legacy setting. Your password manager and your letter cover them.

Think of it like a fire drill. You don’t do it because you expect a fire. You do it so everyone knows what to do if there ever is one.

• Add a yearly checkup to your calendar. Once a year, update passwords that changed, add new accounts, and double-check your legacy contacts. Your birthday or New Year’s Day works great.

  Checkup date Download the yearly reminder

  The download opens in your phone or computer’s calendar app and repeats every year.