Digital Legacy: Dealing With Online Accounts
Most people have dozens of online accounts. After a death, these need to be closed, memorialised, or transferred. Each platform has its own process. Here is what to do for the most common services.
Important notes
- Do not log in using the person\'s passwords. This can cause legal complications and may violate terms of service.
- Cancel paid subscriptions as soon as possible to stop ongoing charges to the estate.
- Check email accounts for any unknown financial accounts, subscriptions, or correspondence.
Google (Gmail, YouTube, Drive, Photos)
What happens: Google's Inactive Account Manager lets the person set up what happens to their account after inactivity. If they did not set this up, you can request access or deletion.
How to proceed: Submit a request through Google's deceased user process. You will need: proof of your identity, the death certificate, and proof of your relationship. Google may provide account content or delete the account.
Google will not provide passwords. They may share some content but not all.
Facebook and Instagram (Meta)
What happens: Facebook accounts can be memorialised (the word "Remembering" appears next to the name) or permanently deleted. Instagram follows the same process.
How to proceed: Submit a memorialisation or removal request through Facebook's Help Centre. You need proof of your relationship and a death certificate. A "legacy contact" set by the person can manage the memorialised account.
Memorialised accounts cannot be logged into but remain visible to friends.
Apple (iCloud, Apple ID)
What happens: Apple's Digital Legacy programme lets someone name a Legacy Contact. Without this, accessing the account requires a court order.
How to proceed: If a Legacy Contact was set up, they can request access using their access key and the death certificate. Without one, you need to obtain a court order and submit it to Apple. Apple will then provide access to the account data.
A court order is the only way without a Legacy Contact. Solicitors can help with this.
Microsoft (Outlook, Hotmail, OneDrive)
What happens: Microsoft can provide account data to the next of kin or close a deceased person's account.
How to proceed: Contact Microsoft support. Provide a death certificate, proof of your identity, and documentation of your relationship. The process typically takes several weeks.
Microsoft will not share the person's password.
Twitter / X
What happens: Accounts of deceased users can be deactivated by a family member or authorised person.
How to proceed: Submit a deactivation request through Twitter's Help Centre with proof of death and your relationship.
Twitter does not provide account access or data.
What happens: Profiles of deceased members can be removed or memorialised.
How to proceed: Use LinkedIn's online form to request removal. You need: the person's name, profile URL, your relationship, and a link to an obituary or death notice.
LinkedIn does not require a death certificate for removal requests.
PayPal
What happens: PayPal accounts should be closed and any remaining balance returned to the estate.
How to proceed: Contact PayPal's bereavement team. Provide the death certificate and proof of your role as executor/administrator. PayPal will close the account and transfer the balance.
Do not withdraw money using the person's login, as this could cause legal complications.
Amazon
What happens: Close the account and cancel any active subscriptions (Prime, Kindle Unlimited, etc.).
How to proceed: Contact Amazon customer service. Provide the death certificate and order number or account details.
Digital purchases (Kindle books, music) are licensed and may not be transferable.
Common subscriptions to cancel
Check bank statements for direct debits and recurring payments. Many subscriptions continue charging unless actively cancelled.
Get all tasks in one personalised list
Including digital accounts, financial tasks, and everything else you need to do.
Get Your Personalised GuideRelated guides
Template Letters
Ready-to-use letters for banks, utilities, HMRC, employers, and more
Document Checklist
Every document you need to gather, where to find them, and who needs them
Step-by-Step Guide
Everything you need to do, in order, from the first 24 hours onwards
Master Checklist
A complete list of tasks to work through at your own pace