Digital Legacy - Google

Memorialised Accounts

The Inactive Account Manager lets you decide what happens when your account becomes inactive.

Key features:

• Choose an inactivity period (between 3 and 18 months) before the plan activates.
• Nominate up to 10 trusted contacts to receive selected data (e.g., Gmail, Drive, Photos).
• Optionally have your account automatically deleted once the inactivity period ends.
• Update your plan anytime and keep your recovery email and phone number current.

📝‍ Note: Setting up the Inactive Account Manager ensures your loved ones are informed and that your data is handled as you intend. Without it, access to your information may be delayed or lost.

To create or update your plan, visit:👉 Set up Inactive Account Manager

Requesting Memorialisation

If you see an account of someone who has passed away, here is how to proceed:

• You (friend or family) can request the account be memorialised.
• Instagram will require proof of death, like an obituary or news article.
• After review, the account will be updated as “Remembering” and locked.

Requesting Action After Someone Dies

If someone passes away and no plan exists, you can contact Google for help:

• Google may work with immediate family members or authorised representatives to close the deceased user’s account.
• In certain cases, Google may provide content from the account, but never passwords or login details.
• You’ll need to supply information such as:
• The deceased person’s full name and email address.
• Proof of death (death certificate or obituary).
• Proof of authority (executor or next of kin).

⚠️ Warning: If you choose to close or delete the Google Account, this cannot be reversed later. Any contents (emails, photos, documents, or videos) will be permanently lost. Learn more: Account closure and content requests

All requests are carefully reviewed for privacy and security.👉 Submit a request for a deceased user’s account