What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
You can add a Legacy Contact from Settings/System Settings > your name > Sign-In & Security > Legacy Contact on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Choose a trusted person, then give them the access key Apple creates. That person can later request certain account data after your death, but the feature does not provide your password or unrestricted access to everything in iCloud.
This guide explains the requirements, exact steps, safe ways to preserve the key, what the contact can and cannot obtain, and how Legacy Contact differs from an account recovery contact.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What a Legacy Contact does
Apple’s Legacy Contact feature lets you nominate one or more people to request access to specified data in your Apple Account after you die. It is a post-death digital-estate arrangement, not a way for someone to sign in to your existing account while you are alive. Apple verifies the request and, when approved, creates credentials for a separate Legacy Contact Apple Account and releases only the keying information needed for the eligible data.
The feature is available through Apple Account settings on supported versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Apple’s current setup instructions are in How to add a Legacy Contact for your Apple Account.
#1 Best Overall
- [Ultra-Lightweight Ear Buds Designed for Small Ears] Each earbud weighs only 3.7g and features a compact, ergonomic in-ear design made especially for small ears. Secure, low-profile, and comfortable for workouts, all-day wear or overnight sleeping.The ultra-slim profile sits flush in your ear with no hard edges poking or rubbing, so you can even sleep on your side without discomfort.
- [Immersive Stereo Sound with TOZO OrigX Technology] TOZO OrigX tuning delivers clear vocals, balanced mids, and natural stereo sound for music, podcasts, and videos.
- [Long Battery Life for Daily Use] Get up to 7 hours of playtime on a single charge, with up to 32 hours total using the charging case—ideal for workdays, commuting, and extended listening sessions.
- [Bluetooth 5.3 & Stable Connection] Bluetooth 5.3 provides fast pairing, stable wireless performance, and reduced dropouts as you move around home or office.
- [Deep Bass with Clear Vocals] High-performance drivers produce punchy bass while keeping vocals clean and detailed for everyday listening.
Requirements before you begin
- The account holder must be signed in to their Apple Account on an Apple device running iOS 15.2 or later, iPadOS 15.2 or later, or macOS Monterey 12.1 or later.
- Two-factor authentication may need to be enabled on the account. If Apple asks you to authenticate during setup, use Face ID, Touch ID, the device passcode, or the Mac login password.
- You need the intended person’s current phone number or email address in Contacts unless that person is already in your Family Sharing group.
- The person you select does not need an Apple Account or an Apple device merely to be designated. To make a later access request, Apple says the contact must be over 13, although the minimum age can vary by country or region.
- You need a secure plan for delivering and preserving the access key. Without that key, the designated person cannot complete the later request.
Install current operating-system updates if the Legacy Contact menu is missing. Interface labels can change between releases, but the setting remains under Sign-In & Security on supported systems.
Add a Legacy Contact on an iPhone or iPad
- Open Settings.
- Tap your name at the top to open your Apple Account settings.
- Tap Sign-In & Security, then tap Legacy Contact.
- Tap Add Legacy Contact. Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode if prompted.
- Choose a person from your Family Sharing group, or tap Choose Someone Else and select a contact by phone number or email address.
- Review the designation and choose how to share the access key.
Apple sends an email confirmation when a Legacy Contact is added. You can repeat the process to add more than one contact. Each designated person can act independently after your death, so select people you trust and explain that each may be able to request the eligible data and permanently delete it.
Add a Legacy Contact on a Mac
- Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
- Click your name in the sidebar or at the top of the window.
- Click Sign-In & Security, then click Legacy Contact.
- Click Add Legacy Contact. Authenticate with Touch ID or your Mac login password if requested.
- Select a Family Sharing member, or choose Choose Someone Else and pick a person from Contacts.
- Confirm how you will deliver the access key.
The Mac and iPhone/iPad workflows create the same type of designation. Use whichever device is available, then verify that the person received the key and that your own copy is stored with your estate records.
Recommended Free Tools
How to share and preserve the access key
The access key is the critical piece of the arrangement. It is an alphanumeric code accompanied by a QR code. The chosen person needs it, along with Apple’s required documentation, to request access later. Apple’s Legacy Contact security overview describes how the beneficiary-held key works with Apple’s encrypted data-protection process.
Send it through iMessage
If Apple offers Send an iMessage, you can notify the selected person directly. This option appears only when iMessage is enabled for the relevant participants. If the person accepts, their device stores a copy of the key in their Apple Account settings. Confirm with them that the message arrived and that they completed the acceptance flow.
Rank #2
- 【IP68 Waterproof Multifunctinal Smart Watch】Torjalph fitness activity tracker smart watch is IP68 waterproof technology ,you can wear it when swimming,handwashing,it's rain-proof which means that you perform multiple exercise modes outside without worrying about sweat or rain corroding your fitness smart watch,and this watch equipped with a 230 mAh large capacity battery magnetic charging ,and this sports activity tracker watch can be used 5-7 days If fully charged.
- 【Larger 1.83'' Full Screen Watch & Multi-dial Selection】1.83 inch full HD color touch screen smart watch for men / women provides excellent 240*284 resolution image quality ,This Bluetooth smart watch offers a better touch experience and remarkable immersion and ,more than 200 watch faces for you to choose from App"Da Fit ", you can change the dial style according to your mood to wear keeping the world on your wrist
- 【Accurate Activity Tracker Smart Watch 】sports watch activity tracker uses sweat and dust resistant breathable silicone strap, our Fitness Tracker Smart Watch for Android iOS Phones supports 12 sports modes,walking,running,bicycle,swimming,badminton,basketball,football,rope skipping. This bluetooth calls smart watch for men women is lightweight and stylish, bringing more convenient and relaxing sports experience while also providing more protection.
- 【Your 24 Hour Personal Daily Health Monitor】Fitness watch for women men full touch screen IP67 waterproof bluetooth smartwatch for Android iOS Phones with heart rate blood pressure monitor multifunction Andriod smart watch with steps counter sleep monitor sports fitness watch, monitoring blood oxygen saturation allows you to understand your physical condition in real time to track fitness progress ,to know your health status in time.
- 【More Functions Bluetooth Call Smart Watch】This fitness activity smart watch full screen for iPhone and Android phones includes a bunch of new features including:The bluetooth smart watch can hang up the phone, receive and display WhatsAPP /Text /Facebook /Twitter /Messenger reminder.Support sedentary reminder, alarm clock, stopwatch, timer,weather information,music control, remote camera control compatible with Android 5.0 and above or iOS 9.0 and above smartphones.
Print or save a durable copy
You can print the key, save it as a PDF, or take a screenshot. Apple suggests keeping a printed copy with estate-planning documents. A nearby contact can scan the QR code shown with the key. Store your own copy somewhere your executor or other trusted representative can find it, while avoiding an unsecured public location or an ordinary unprotected note.
Keep the key current
When you change or remove a Legacy Contact, review every copy of the old key. Tell the affected person which designation is current and update your estate records. A contact who no longer has your authorization should not retain a current access key.
Who you can appoint and how multiple contacts work
You may select a Family Sharing member or another person in Contacts. The person can be a relative, friend, attorney, executor, or another trusted individual; Apple does not require the contact to own an Apple device merely to be chosen.
You can add more than one Legacy Contact. Apple says each can act individually on your account data after your death. That independence can be useful if people live in different places, but it also means every person you appoint must understand the scope of access and the possibility of permanent deletion. Discuss the arrangement with them rather than assuming that receiving the key alone explains your wishes.
What a Legacy Contact can access
After Apple approves a request, eligible information may include photos, messages, notes, files, device backups, and other categories Apple identifies for the service. The exact data available can depend on Apple’s current rules and the account’s contents.
Rank #3
- [Low Noise High Fidelity] New bee guitar cord with 22AWG oxygen-free-copper center conductors provides enhanced signal transfer, the PVC insulation material and the high-density stranded copper double shield provide noise rejection for quiet operation
- [Ideal for Choice] New bee 1/4 straight and right angle metal connectors, ensures a secure connection in any instrument, pedal, or amp jack. L shape great fro on stage guitar stands
- [Wide Compatible] Suitable for mixer, power amplifier, microphone, effector, decoder, equalizer, electoronic organ, electric guitar, electric bass and other electronic equipments. Widely used in the installation of smart home, karaoke speaker, professional stage audio, etc
- [Easy Disassemble] Making incidental repairs quick and easy! Very nice, flexible cable
- [Dont Hesite to Order] 24 hours customer services and professional technology team are standing by
A Legacy Contact does not receive unrestricted access. Apple specifically excludes:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →- iCloud Keychain data, including saved passwords, passkeys, payment information, and other credentials.
- Movies, music, and books purchased with the Apple Account.
- Subscriptions and other specified purchases tied to the account.
- The ability to sign in as though they were the deceased person or obtain that person’s account password.
Apple’s security documentation explains that the Legacy Contact keying information does not include what would be needed to decrypt the deceased person’s iCloud Keychain. Treat the feature as controlled access to selected data, not a master key.
What happens when the account holder dies
- The designated person gathers the access key and the documentation Apple requires for the account holder’s country or region.
- They submit a request through Apple’s process for a deceased person’s account.
- Apple performs identity, authorization, and document checks.
- If the request is approved, Apple issues credentials for a new Legacy Contact Apple Account and releases the necessary keying information for eligible data.
The access key and a death certificate are generally required, but document rules are not universal. Apple notes, for example, that in Japan a family certificate indicating the account holder’s death may be needed instead of a death certificate. Before submitting anything, follow the instructions for your locale in Request access to a deceased family member’s Apple Account. Do not assume that a document checklist from another country applies to you.
Apple’s review is a condition of access. Possessing the key does not bypass Apple’s checks, regional legal requirements, or the limits on excluded data.
Legacy Contact versus Account Recovery Contact
These two settings solve different problems and should not be treated as interchangeable.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Rank #4
- Digital Family Calendar: BSIMB digital calendar wall touch screen puts an end to your chaotic life. Designed for busy families, the digital calendar keeps you organised and in step with your family. Assign different colours and tasks to each family member to make family scheduling easier and more intuitive.
- Easy Setup and Auto-Sync: Plug in, connect to WLAN and auto-syn your electric calendar in minutes. Digital wall calendar compatible with Google calendar, iCloud calendar, Outlook calendar, Cozi calendar and Yahoo calendar. Add events directly on the device or through the ecalendar app. Electronic calendar stays current whether you're at work or traveling—no manual updates needed.
- All-In-One Home Assistant: Smart calendar builds habits and encourage independence with personalised chores. Display daily meal plan to reduce the daily ‘What's for dinner?’ stress. To-do lists keep track of everything you want. Turning chores into valuable achievements with stars and rewards, making life easier and more enjoyable.
- Manage Anytime Anywhere: BSIMB electronic calendar for family stay connected with the powerful ecalendar app. Access and manage your digital wall calendar anytime, anywhere with free features like stars & rewards, photo screensaver, chore charts, meals plans, to-do lists etc. Electronic planner paid features like Magic Import tailor advanced tools for users with special needs.
- Stay in Touch with Loved Ones: Share photos or videos from your phone to electronic wall calendar with app, instantly update your life moment, and keep in touch with your family, especially those who are far away; you can also surprise your smart calendar digital wall by sending him a wish card; it's also great for keeping tech-illiterate elders in touch with the youngsters.
| Feature | When it is used | Who acts | What the helper receives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account recovery contact | While you are alive, when you cannot access your account or a password or passcode has been changed without permission | The account holder requests help | A recovery code that helps you regain access; the contact does not see your account data |
| Legacy Contact | After the account holder’s death | The designated person submits a post-death request | Access to certain data after Apple’s documentation and security checks; excluded categories remain unavailable |
Apple explains this distinction in Help prevent Apple Account and device lockouts. You may set up both features, but one does not substitute for the other.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Manage, change, or remove a Legacy Contact
Return to the same Legacy Contact screen in your Apple Account settings to review the people you have appointed. From there, Apple may let you add another person, remove an existing designation, or view the access-key options associated with the contact.
Before removing someone
- Tell the person that their designation has changed.
- Replace or destroy printed copies and saved files of the old key where practical.
- Update your estate-planning records so the current list and key location are clear.
- Check whether a second contact still has a valid, separate designation.
When a contact’s details change
If a contact changes phone numbers, email addresses, or Apple Account details, verify that your designation still identifies the intended person. If the selection was made from Contacts, update the contact card and review the Legacy Contact entry rather than assuming an old address will continue to work.
Troubleshooting common setup problems
Legacy Contact is not listed
- Confirm that the device meets the minimum version: iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2, or macOS Monterey 12.1.
- Make sure you are signed in to the Apple Account whose legacy arrangements you want to change.
- Install available operating-system updates and reopen Settings or System Settings.
- Check Sign-In & Security, not a similarly named privacy or Family Sharing menu.
Apple asks for authentication
That prompt is part of the security check. Enter the device passcode on an iPhone or iPad, or use Touch ID or the Mac login password on a Mac. If the account cannot satisfy its security requirements, resolve the sign-in or two-factor-authentication issue before trying again.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe iMessage sharing option is missing
Apple does not show Send an iMessage when the relevant person does not have iMessage turned on. Use the print, PDF, or screenshot option instead, then confirm that the person received the key through a secure channel.
The selected person cannot be found
Check the phone number or email address in Contacts and try Choose Someone Else again. A Family Sharing member should appear as a selectable option. If the details are still wrong, correct the contact card before restarting the designation.
The contact has a key but cannot obtain data
The key alone is insufficient. The contact must meet Apple’s age requirement, provide the required death documentation for the relevant region, and pass Apple’s security review. They should use Apple’s current deceased-account instructions rather than attempting to sign in to the original account.
Security and estate-planning checklist
- Choose people you trust with sensitive photos, messages, documents, and backups.
- Explain that the arrangement is activated only after your death and that access is limited.
- Give the contact the access key and confirm that it was received and stored.
- Keep a printed key with your estate-planning documents, plus a secure backup copy.
- Tell your executor or estate representative where the key and designation records are located.
- Review the list after major life events, such as marriage, divorce, a death, or a change in your estate plan.
- Do not store the key in a public post, an unprotected shared note, or a location that anyone can access casually.
- Remember that a Legacy Contact cannot retrieve iCloud Keychain passwords, passkeys, payment details, or every purchase and subscription.
Frequently overlooked details
The contact does not need an Apple Account at selection time
You can designate someone who has no Apple device or Apple Account. Apple creates the necessary Legacy Contact account credentials only if that person later submits an approved request.
Each contact can act independently
Adding several people does not create a joint-approval workflow. Each person can make an individual request after your death, subject to Apple’s checks and the same data limitations.
Access is not permanent ownership of the original account
The process gives the approved person a separate account and the information needed for eligible data. It is not a transfer of your Apple Account, and it does not turn the contact into the owner of your purchases, subscriptions, or Keychain.
Quick completion checklist
- Update the iPhone, iPad, or Mac to a supported operating-system version.
- Open Settings/System Settings > your name > Sign-In & Security > Legacy Contact.
- Select Add Legacy Contact and authenticate.
- Choose a Family Sharing member or a person from Contacts.
- Share the access key through iMessage, a printed copy, PDF, or screenshot.
- Confirm receipt and preserve your own copy with estate documents.
- Review the designation periodically and replace outdated copies if you change it.
For exact Apple requirements and any changes to supported systems or regional documentation, use Apple’s current support pages: add a Legacy Contact, Legacy Contact security, and request access to a deceased family member’s account.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
