TIPS + TRICKS DATA AFTER DEATH

You're going to die! Hopefully not soon, but you do need to figure out what to do with your things — including digital information and possessions. Stuff explains how...

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THE BASICS

Know what matters Not everything needs to live on after you're gone. Decide what's most important to you — and to those you'll be leaving behind. Some things will be sentimental, like photos, whereas others will be financial, such as bank details. Understand what someone needs for access, whether that's for your phone, bank accounts, or even crypto.

Be aware of limits Even if you and your loved ones adore the same things — not guaranteed as we accumulate collections that baffle others — most digital content (such as Steam games) will be tied to your account and can't be legally passed on. Even Apple's digital legacy system only provides access to specific data, not passwords or paid media.

Set social boundaries Be clear about your online footprint. If you want social media accounts deleted (or preserved, like oddball obituaries), be explicit about which ones. Few platforms provide memorialisation. In most cases, an account will need to be flagged and proof of death provided. (Or you can share login details, but that person will then have access to everything, including private messages.)