Google and Apple offer different ways to manage accounts after death

• 

  Google and Apple offer different ways for users to plan what happens to their accounts and data after death.

• 

  Google’s Inactive Account Manager lets users choose to delete data or share it with trusted contacts after a period of inactivity.

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  Apple lets users name up to five Legacy Contacts who can seek access to their iCloud data and devices after the user dies.

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  Without advance arrangements, account handling depends on each company’s policies.

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  Google may delete an inactive account after at least two years, while relatives can ask Google to deactivate it sooner without receiving its data.

Who

Google and Apple account holders, and the relatives or trusted contacts who may handle their accounts after death.

What

The companies provide different options for managing accounts and digital data after a user dies.

When

Engadget published the article on October 12, 2026. Google launched its Inactive Account Manager in 2013.

Where

Google and Apple accounts and services, including Google products and Apple iCloud.

Why

To let users plan how their digital data is handled and help trusted people or relatives manage accounts after death.

This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.