How To Pass On Your Phone And Data When You Power Off For Good

No one likes to talk about death, much less plan for it. But if you don’t think about what happens to all that data stored on your phone. You could create serious problems for a loved one should you pass away unexpectedly. That’s because your mobile device, by extension, your account. Holds critical financial data, passwords, connections to other accounts. And a lot of pictures, especially if you’re using the photos for backup. If you don’t plan ahead for someone to access your smartphone account data. It could be a severe headache for those close to you. Fortunately, you can take a few simple steps to ensure the right person gets access to your phone. And the correct data without compromising your day-to-day security. Here’s how to set up a nearly foolproof system that protects your accounts. But lets the right person in should something unfortunate happen.

Use Googles Inactive Account Manager

Google has done an excellent job with a comprehensive, easy-to-follow method. Ensuring only someone you identify gets access to your account. It’s called an Inactive Account Manager; you can dictate who can assume control of your account. Should it stop seeing activity for three months or longer? You can then designate up to 10 different contacts to get access. You can even create a custom message for those people to receive if you’re into that.

Specify how long your account needs to go dormant before it’s considered by to be inactive.

Since you’re an Android user, your account is crucial to your online identity. If you pay your bills, have mortgage statements or other important financial information saved in your Gmail or Drive. Access to this can be invaluable for a loved one.
If something happens to you. Your significant other or a family member may have an easier time taking care of necessary details. If they can access your smartphone to get into your Gmail archive. Gmail’s been around for more than ten years now. So if you’ve been using it for even half that long there are probably a lot of details saved there. You would want someone to have. However, if, for some reason, you want all your data to disappear. When you do, opt for your account to delete itself after a specified period of inactivity. This section is pretty straightforward; select this choice. Then you’ll know that nothing that belongs to you will float out there on the Internet when you’re gone.

Set the Right Level of Device Security

Most Android phones allow for some password or Number to unlock the device. So make sure the right person knows how to get into your device should something go awry.

Inactive 2 — Samsung Galaxy S6, S5, Note 4 all offer fingerprint unlock.

Fingerprint scanners, like the one on the Galaxy S6 edge, provide much deeper security than a Number. But be sure someone knows how to get into your device with a backup Number. If you’ve gone the fingerprint route. This can avoid an extreme solution to accessing your device, which may be necessary for notifying relatives or friends of your demise. Again, just like having an escape plan should your house catch fire, you should think ahead. So someone you care about doesn’t have to deal with this as a problem.

Use a Password Manager

If you have a spouse or significant other, the best solution is to use a shared password manager account. All your logins and passwords are securely thorough, so you could use Dashlane or another alternative. I’ve become a fan of Dashlane, which has an excellent interface that integrates with SwiftKey for easy password entry.

Inactive 3 — Dashlane is one of several password managers that can save all your account data.

By sharing an account, all your passwords are safely shared. If you don’t want to share a single account. You can at least make sure someone you trust has your master password and knows how to access your account. Dashlane also stores your credit cards, Secure Notes, a great place to keep sensitive information like a Social Security number.
The bottom line is to use common sense and not ignore the issue of your inevitable demise. Thinking about what happens to your smartphone account data. When you pass on is just as important as having the will to manage other end-of-life issues. Take the time to do it. This will give you and your loved one peace of mind so you can focus on living.