Apple will soon allow iPhone users to pass on their iCloud data to select contacts when they die

Apple is introducing a new Digital legacy programme under which a deceased person’s personal iCloud data will be accessible without going through the legal route. With the latest iOS update, Apple will allow the loved ones or family members of the deceased person to access the data from iCloud when there is absolutely no way of unlocking the phone without a passcode.

The Digital Legacy Programme was first announced at WWDC earlier this year where an iPhone user will be able to designate up to five people as legacy contacts. Such contacts will be able to access the owner’s personal information and data like photos, documents, purchases stored in iCloud after death. Such contacts, however, will need to submit proof of deaths and an access key to access the content.

The procedure gets much simpler than taking the court’s order confirming another user’s right to inheritance and even that does not necessarily guarantee they will be allowed to enter the iCloud account. According to the iCloud terms of service, the deceased person’s data goes with them even with a death certificate.