Apple update lets users choose a legacy contact after death
With the new Apple update, users will be allowed to designate legacy contacts who will have access to your iCloud after your death.
PA
Apple is helping put people at ease with its latest update regarding who may have access to your stored private information when you die.
With the iOS 15.2 update, users can designate contacts who will be allowed to access your iCloud information, including photos, text messages, notes, and more.
But they won’t be able to watch everything on your Apple device. Information not available for your old contacts includes:
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Movies / books / music purchased
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Purchased subscriptions
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Keychain data (payment information, passwords)
Legacy contacts will need the access key created by the deceased as well as their death certificate to receive access from Apple.
“Apple reviews access requests from legacy contacts and approves access to a deceased person’s data only after verifying that information,” Apple said. “When your request is approved, you receive a special Legacy Contact Apple ID to access account data. The original Apple ID of the account holder no longer works and the Activation Lock is removed on all devices that use their Apple ID.
Legacy contacts will have access to devices for up to three years, “after which time the legacy account will be permanently deleted,” the website says.
You can designate up to five contacts.
Here’s how to choose a contact after downloading iOS 15.2:
- Go to settings
- Click on your name / icon at the top
- Press “password and security”
- Press “Legacy contact”
- Choose contacts
- Save passcode for contacts
Prior to this update, it was more difficult to access the iCloud information of a deceased loved one, which included get a court order, Apple said.
This story was originally published December 14, 2021 11:35 am.