What happens to your passwords when you die?

By The SyFly team · · 6 min read

A simple guide for families: what happens to your accounts, and five steps so the people you love won’t be locked out. Most of us have spent years building a life online: photos of the children, the bank and pension accounts, emails, the documents for the house. All of it sits behind passwords that only we know. Nobody likes to think about it, but if something happened to you tomorrow, could your family get in? For many families the honest answer is no. This guide explains what happens to your accounts, and five simple steps to make sure the people you love won’t be locked out.

What happens to your accounts if nobody can get in?

When no one has your passwords, your family usually has to go through each company one by one. That often means death certificates, forms and long waits, and some accounts may never be opened at all.

Without a plan, every account is a separate locked door for your family.

In the meantime, things can go wrong:

Some services, like phones and email providers, offer their own “legacy” settings, but each works differently and covers only that one account. Most families have dozens of accounts, so a little planning goes a long way.

  • Photos and memories stay locked away, sometimes for good.
  • Bills and subscriptions keep charging money nobody notices.
  • Important documents (insurance, the house, the business) are hard to find when they’re needed most.
  • Your family is left guessing, at a time when they’re already grieving.

Five simple steps so your family can access what matters

It doesn’t have to be one person for everything. Choose the right person for each part of your life.

It’s also worth talking to a lawyer about including your digital accounts in your will, since rules differ from country to country.

  • Make a list of your important accounts: Start with what matters most: email, bank, pension, insurance, phone, photos and any business accounts. You don’t need every shopping site.
  • Decide who should get access to what: Your partner might need the family photos and the house papers; a business partner might need the work accounts. It doesn’t have to be one person for everything.
  • Choose when they should get access: Most people don’t want anyone opening their accounts while they’re alive and well. Decide what should trigger access, such as a long period with no activity.
  • Leave a few words of guidance: A short message helps a lot: which accounts to close, which to keep, where the important documents are.
  • Keep it up to date: Review it once a year, or after big life changes like a move, a new job, a marriage or a new grandchild.

What not to do

Many people already have a “plan”, but it often creates new risks:

If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone. Most of us have done at least one. If you use the same password in many places, start with our guide to creating a strong password.

  • A notebook in a drawer: Easy to lose, easy for a visitor or a burglar to read, and quickly out of date.
  • A note on your phone: Most notes apps aren’t designed to protect passwords, and your family may not be able to unlock the phone anyway.
  • Texting passwords to family: Messages stay in the chat for years and can be forwarded, screenshotted or seen by anyone who picks up the phone.
  • The same password everywhere: If one website is ever hacked, every account becomes easy to open.

A better way: choose a backup person

A safer approach is to keep your passwords in an encrypted vault and choose a backup person: someone you trust who can get access only if you can’t.

With SyFly, it works like this:

Until your conditions are met, your backup person can’t see anything in your vault. When it matters, the right people have the keys. See how the backup person works, or read more about planning your digital legacy.

  • You: Sara → Container: Family → Conditions: 60 days + a warning → Backup person: Adam
  • You decide who gets what. Keep your accounts in separate containers (family, finances, work) and choose a backup person for each one.
  • You set the conditions. For example: after 60 days without signing in, SyFly first asks you to confirm you’re still there. Only if you don’t answer does your backup person get access.
  • You stay in control. If your backup person asks early, you can approve or deny the request.
  • You can leave them a message, so they know what to do.

Questions

Should I write my passwords in my will?

Usually not. A will can become a public document in some countries, and passwords change often. Instead, mention in your will that you keep a secure digital vault, and talk to a lawyer about the rules where you live.

Is it legal for my family to log in to my accounts?

It depends on the country and on each company’s terms. Planning ahead and naming who should have access makes things much clearer for your family; a lawyer can advise on your situation.

What if my backup person tries to get in while I’m fine?

You get a warning first and can deny the request. Nothing opens while you’re still active.

I’m not very good with technology. Is this complicated?

No. Setting up a vault and choosing a backup person takes a few minutes, and a family member can help you do it together.