Legacy Contacts, Apple's New Feature For Dead Users

 


When the owner of an iPhone or other Apple device dies, there is no easy way for other family members to access the iColud account even to unlock the phone if they don't know the phone code.

According to the terms of the iCloud service, the data of a deceased person will remain even if there is a death certificate, as reported by us from The Verge.


However, with the new Digital Legacy program first announced at WWDC earlier this year, iPhone owners can choose up to five people as 'Legacy Contacts'.



This feature will be present on the iOS 15.2 operating system, with this feature if the iPhone owner has selected five people and died then these people will be able to access the owner's personal data and information stored in iCloud such as photos, documents and even purchases.


To activate Digital Legacy, Apple still needs proof of death and an access key. However, this is a much simplified process than before which may require a court order confirming inheritance rights, and there is no guarantee of access to the data.



This is a complicated situation for Apple, because Apple is so strong in principle to protect the privacy of its users.


However, Apple's move was protested by the bereaved family where their parents and even spouses were not given access to enter the mobile phone of a deceased user.


Other companies such as Google and Facebook also have systems in place to assign accounts to other people if a user dies.


Here's how to set up the 'Legacy Contacts' feature, make sure the device you're using is running iOS 15.2 to be able to access this feature.


On your iOS device, go to Settings > [your name > Password & Security.


On a Mac, go to System Preferences > Apple ID > Password & Security.


* Under Old Contacts, follow the instructions to add Old Contacts. If you use Family Sharing, you can select a family member from the list; alternatively, add someone using their email or phone number.


* Notify your Old Contacts and share access keys via Messages. If they accept, a copy of the access key is automatically saved in their Apple ID settings. If they decline, you will receive a notification. An access key is required to log into your account if you have passed away.


* While you can add Old Contacts that aren't using iOS 15.2, they won't be able to save the access key in the settings on their device, so you'll have to provide it some other way.



Legacy Contacts is part of the Digital Legacy program and is currently available in public beta iOS 15.2 for iPhone. It will be widely accessible when iOS 15.2 is fully launched. Apple hasn't said which versions of macOS will support the feature.

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