Platform · Digital accounts · Difficulty: Complex
Request access to or deletion of a deceased person’s Apple account
Apple offers a Digital Legacy program for pre-designated contacts, and a court-order path otherwise. Photos, iCloud data, and purchases hinge on this.
Who usually needs this
- Executor
- Next of kin
- Digital legacy contact
When to review
First month
Documents commonly needed
- Death certificate
- Legacy contact access key (if set up)
- Court order (if no legacy contact)
Life Steward does not collect or store these documents.
Common issues
- Without a pre-set Legacy Contact, Apple generally requires a court order for access.
- Apple will not provide the deceased’s password; do not expect credential recovery.
Official sources
- Apple: Deceased family member’s account (Platform support source)
- Apple Digital Legacy (Platform support source)
Last reviewed 2026-07-10
The Life Steward Resource Centre is provided for general information and navigation only. It is not legal, tax, financial, insurance, medical, or professional advice. Confirm current requirements and deadlines with the appropriate organization or professional before acting.