Digital Legacy Resources
Tools, guides, and support for planning and managing your digital legacy
This resource page supports readers of Scott Wright’s Digital Legacy book and anyone preparing for or responding to digital legacy challenges.
Check back here regularly to get updated tips and links that will guide you to practical tools, checklists, and trusted resources.
Don’t put your executor or authorized decision-makers through the frustration of not being able to access critical online assets in an unexpected situation.
Start Here: 5 Top Actions Everyone Should Take
- Make a list of your most important online accounts (with no passwords or sensitive information) in a paper document, or an electronic document that you can print out
- Put your organized list in a safe location (preferably locked) in your home
- Use a password manager, if possible, to store passwords securely, and make sure the entries correspond to your listed items above; and turn on two-factor authentication for the master password access
- Assign a trusted contact for your digital affairs, and give them directions on where to find your organized list, and if appropriate, use the sharing or emergency access features in your password manager
- Enable platform-specific legacy or emergency access for the online services you use (e.g. Apple, Gmail, Facebook, etc.)
- Make sure your trusted contact(s) has a way to easily obtain your mobile phone’s PIN, so they can access it for two-factor authentication in an emergency
- Keep your list and your password repository up to date. Also, review who your trusted contact(s) is, and that they know where your document is.
Setting up digital legacy or emergency contacts with major online platforms
Note that some of the platforms below do not have specific mechanisms for designating a legacy or emergency contact. In those cases, it is vital that your password is saved and that any two-factor authentication devices are also accessible by your trusted contact.
🍎 Apple (Digital Legacy / iCloud)
Quick tip:
- Add a Legacy Contact in your Apple ID settings
- Your contact needs an access key + death certificate to request data [support.apple.com]
🔍 Google (Gmail, Drive, Photos, YouTube)
Quick tip:
- Set inactivity period (3–18 months or more)
- Add trusted contacts and choose what data they receive [simplymac.com]
- Optionally auto-delete your account
- 👉 (Use in-page help link or search: “Facebook legacy contact settings”)
Quick tip:
- Choose a Legacy Contact to manage your memorialized account
- They can post updates, manage tributes, and update profile settings
- They cannot log in or read private messages [support.google.com]
Quick tip:
- No true “legacy login” feature
- Accounts can be memorialized or deleted upon request
- Requires proof of death (e.g., obituary) [betterlegacy.io]
💼 Microsoft (Outlook, OneDrive, etc.)
Quick tip:
- No pre-configured legacy access
- Access may require legal process (e.g., court order/subpoena) [androidpolice.com]
- Plan ahead—don’t rely on recovery later
🛒 Amazon (and similar services)
- 👉 Amazon Help (search: “close account of deceased user”)
Quick tip:
- No legacy feature
- Executors must contact support and provide documentation
Review my book, or become a contributor to the Digital Legacy Resources page…
Did you know that I am working on a book? It currently has a working title of The Digital Legacy Tree: Ensuring your loved ones can access what they need after you’re gone.
If you would like to provide feedback on the book before it is published as a “beta reviewer”, or to contribute anecdotes or tips for my book or resource page, please submit a request in the form below…