Apple iOS 15.2 update allows access to iCloud even after your death. Read how and who can use it

You can check your device for the availability of the OS 15.2 update in the Settings category, then General and finally in the Software updates section. It has been released in select markets like the US but may soon appear everywhere including India.

You can also add up to five legacy contacts to the Settings menu who may be able to access your Apple Account after your death. It’s at the bottom of the screen after you’ve logged in to your account information. Your old contacts will be able to see all the iCloud details mentioned above, but won’t be able to check saved passwords. They won’t get access to books, music or movies if you’ve made a purchase.

After adding your old contacts you can send them the access key via message. Access keys will be stored on the device if the legacy contact is running iOS 15.2 or later. Apple also has a Print option so you can print out the Access key and give it to your old contact to hide other important documents.

Older contacts will not be able to send messages or emails, but can only receive them.

The legacy contact can go to digital-legacy.apple.com after the death. There they can log in with their iCloud account and feed in the access key. The person must also upload a death certificate, which is reviewed by Apple employees, including members of its legal team. Every legacy in your name can request contact data.

If all is well after review by Apple and its legal team, a link will be sent to the legacy contact to generate a password for the account. They can use it to log in to the web or on an Apple device to access data.