A Holiday Reminder to Protect Your Digital Memories by adding a Legacy Contact
During the holiday season, many of us find ourselves surrounded by family — laughing around the table, sharing old stories, passing phones back and forth to show photos from past years, and reminiscing about loved ones who are no longer with us.
And it raises an important question: If something happened to you — would your family be able to access the memories stored on your phone?
Today, our phones hold our lives:
Photos and videos of holidays past
Voice messages from family
Contacts and calendars
Passwords
Documents
Personal notes and reminders
But without planning ahead, all of that may become inaccessible when your family needs it most.
If You Have an iPhone and No Legacy Contact Is Set
If you pass away without naming a Legacy Contact, your family may not be able to access:
Your iCloud photos and videos
Your text messages
Your notes, contacts, and files
Audio recordings or voicemail messages
Apple is extremely strict about security. Without a Legacy Contact, your loved ones must:
Obtain a court order authorizing access
Provide a death certificate
Wait (sometimes months)
Hope Apple approves the request
❌ And even then, Apple may still limit data — or refuse the request entirely.
That means the last videos of your children…
Messages from a spouse…
Photos with grandparents…
Voice memos to yourself…
Could be permanently inaccessible.
If You Use Android (Google Account) and Haven’t Set Up Inactive Account Manager
Your Google account holds:
Google Photos
Gmail messages
Drive files
Contacts and calendar
Data across multiple connected platforms
Without Inactive Account Manager set up, your family may need to:
Identify your account credentials
Submit a formal request to Google
Provide legal proof and documentation
Wait for internal review
Hope for approval
❌ Google is not obligated to provide access to anyone — even next of kin.
Real Consequences We See in Probate Litigation and Estate Settlements
Families have endured heartbreaking losses such as:
Losing every photo stored only in an iCloud library
No longer being able to hear saved voice messages from a deceased loved one
Not being able to contact friends, employers, or relatives
Being locked out of important financial or legal information stored in phone apps
Spending months (or years) in legal proceedings to gain access
This is often discovered too late — usually when grief is fresh and emotions are high.
The Solution: Add a Legacy Contact in Just Minutes
For iPhone (iOS 15.2+):
Go to Settings
Tap Your Name
Password & Security
Legacy Contact
Add someone you trust
Share their Access Key
For Android / Google:
Visit: myaccount.google.com/inactive
Click Start
Choose inactivity period
Add trusted contacts
Select what data they may access
🎄 A Gentle Reminder This Holiday Season 🎄
As families gather — and memories are made — this is a meaningful time to:
Have conversations about digital access and planning
Ensure someone can access photos and videos
Confirm that Legacy Contacts are in place
Encourage others to do the same
Just like writing down recipes, labeling photo albums, or passing down traditions…
setting a Legacy Contact protects your story, your memories, and your legacy.
If You Need Help
If you’re trying to settle a loved one’s affairs and cannot access their digital content — or if you’re planning ahead and want to avoid these issues — we can help.
At The Probate Law Center, we work with families in Kansas and Missouri during these challenging moments.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Access policies are subject to change. For legal guidance, consult an attorney licensed in your state.