What to do when a Apple account holder dies
Apple Inc. has a formal process for transferring accounts after an account holder dies
Apple Digital Legacy
Timeline
Legacy Contact access: granted after Apple verifies the death certificate and access key. Access lasts 3 years, after which the account is permanently deleted. Court order process: no published timeline. iCloud Terms allow Apple to terminate inactive accounts after 1 year with 30 days notice.
WebsiteSubmit claim online →
Verified Mar 2026
Apple has two formal pathways for deceased accounts. Path A (proactive): the Digital Legacy program allows account holders to designate Legacy Contacts who receive an access key. After death, the Legacy Contact provides the access key plus a death certificate to access iCloud data (photos, files, messages, mail, notes, etc.) but NOT purchased content, Keychain passwords, or payment information. Access lasts 3 years before the account is permanently deleted. Path B (reactive): without a Legacy Contact, a family member must obtain a court order (in the US) specifically naming Apple, the deceased, and the requestor. France, Germany, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand accept alternative documentation. The Apple Media Services Terms state: "Your Account is non-transferable and any rights to your Apple Account or content within your Account terminate upon your death."
How to request a transfer
To request a transfer of Apple accounts after an account holder's death, follow these steps:
1
If the deceased designated a Legacy Contact: the Legacy Contact should go to digital-legacy.apple.com and provide the access key (alphanumeric code or QR code) plus a death certificate. Once approved, they receive access to iCloud-stored data for up to 3 years. Activation Lock is automatically removed from the deceased's devices.
2
If no Legacy Contact was designated (US): obtain a court order that includes:
- •The deceased's name and Apple Account details (email or phone number)
- •Your name as next of kin, legal representative, agent, or heir
- •A statement that you have "lawful consent"
- •An order directing Apple to provide access to the account
3
Submit the court order and death certificate to Apple Support. Apple verifies documentation before granting access. France, Germany, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand accept alternative documentation instead of a court order.
4
Understand what is NOT accessible: purchased content (apps, movies, music, books) licenses terminate at death. Keychain data (passwords, payment cards, passkeys) is end-to-end encrypted and inaccessible even to Legacy Contacts. Health data is also end-to-end encrypted and likely inaccessible.
5
For locked devices: if Legacy Contact access is approved, Activation Lock is automatically removed. Without a Legacy Contact, contact Apple Support with proof of purchase to request Activation Lock removal. Devices must be factory reset to use with a new Apple Account.
6
For Family Sharing: family members who relied on the deceased's shared subscriptions or storage will lose access when the account is terminated. Each member keeps their own purchases.
Required Documents
- Death certificate
- Legacy Contact access key (if designated)
- Court order naming Apple, the deceased, and the requestor (if no Legacy Contact, US only)
- Government-issued photo ID of the requestor
Timeline
Legacy Contact access: granted after Apple verifies the death certificate and access key. Access lasts 3 years, after which the account is permanently deleted. Court order process: no published timeline. iCloud Terms allow Apple to terminate inactive accounts after 1 year with 30 days notice.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Apple has two pathways. If the deceased set up a Legacy Contact, that person can access iCloud data using their access key plus a death certificate. If no Legacy Contact was set up, a family member must obtain a court order (in the US) specifically directing Apple to provide access. France, Germany, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand accept alternative documentation.
All digital content from Apple is "licensed, not sold." The Apple Media Services Terms state that account rights and content licenses terminate upon death. Apps, movies, music, books, and subscriptions are non-transferable. Family Sharing ceases when the purchasing member's account is terminated. There is no estate or inheritance exception.
If a Legacy Contact was designated, Activation Lock is automatically removed when Legacy Contact access is approved. Without a Legacy Contact, you can request Activation Lock removal from Apple Support with proof of purchase, or through the court order process. In all cases, devices must be factory reset to use with a new Apple Account.
iCloud Keychain is end-to-end encrypted and explicitly excluded from Legacy Contact access. The encryption architecture prevents Apple from providing Keychain data even with a court order. If the deceased's passwords are only stored in Keychain with no separate password manager, those credentials are permanently inaccessible.
After the transfer is complete, the recipient can use the accounts according to the program's standard terms. Document the deceased account holder's details to make this process easier for your executor or family.
Apple Digital Legacy
Timeline
Legacy Contact access: granted after Apple verifies the death certificate and access key. Access lasts 3 years, after which the account is permanently deleted. Court order process: no published timeline. iCloud Terms allow Apple to terminate inactive accounts after 1 year with 30 days notice.
WebsiteSubmit claim online →
Verified Mar 2026