The Practical Playbook for Digital Account Recovery After Death

Digital account recovery after a loved one's death demands immediate, practical action amid grief and uncertainty. This playbook provides families, executors, and fiduciaries with step-by-step guidance to access, secure, and close accounts without legal missteps. Pixels & Probate will expand this resource with platform-specific clusters and troubleshooting deep dives over time.[file:3]

Before You Touch Anything

Secure devices like phones and laptops first to prevent lockouts from auto-wipes or expiring 2FA codes.[file:3] Confirm your legal role—family member, named executor, or professional fiduciary—as it dictates required documents like death certificates or letters testamentary.[file:3] Set realistic expectations: some assets, especially self-custody crypto, may remain unrecoverable.[file:3]

The Digital Account Recovery Framework

Follow the 4-step loop: discover accounts, verify authority, request access or closure, and document everything.[file:3] Triage by impact—financial first, then operational, sentimental, and low-value "noise" accounts last.[file:3] Build a "recovery packet" with names, emails, usernames, and documents for reuse across platforms.[file:3]

Platform-by-Platform Recovery Guides

Email unlocks most others: use Gmail's Inactive Account Manager or iCloud's Legacy Contact with proof of death.[file:3] For social media, memorialize Facebook profiles or close Instagram via support tickets.[file:3] Handle streaming like Netflix by canceling subscriptions found in bank statements.[file:3]

High-Risk and High-Value Accounts

Route bank and payment apps (PayPal, Venmo) through institutions with estate claims.[file:3] Online businesses like Etsy require pausing revenue streams to avoid liabilities.[file:3] Cryptocurrency on exchanges like Coinbase needs probate docs; warn beneficiaries about lost self-custody keys.[file:3]

Troubleshooting Common Failures

Overcome 2FA by seeking backup codes or authenticator recovery; escalate stubborn platforms politely with records.[file:3] Avoid unauthorized forensics unless legally justified, prioritizing ethics.[file:3]

Documentation and Communication

Log all actions in a simple format to protect against disputes.[file:3] Communicate transparently with co-executors about delays and unrecoverables, avoiding oversharing private content.[file:3]

Tools, Templates, and Next Steps

Use free checklists for closures and triage; engage professionals for high-stakes cases via Pixels & Probate consultations.[file:3][file:7] Turn experiences into personal plans by setting legacy contacts now.[file:3]

This playbook grows with your needs—subscribe for updates.[file:3]