Apple account when someone dies: subscriptions keep billing

Most people in the UK have an Apple account. Whether it was used for an iPhone, an iPad, a MacBook, or simply for downloading the occasional app, that account will hold photos, messages, contacts, device backups, and in many cases an ongoing iCloud subscription. Sorting out that account after a bereavement is different from dealing with most other companies. Apple’s digital content rules, the Activation Lock that can render devices unusable, and the Digital Legacy feature – a tool that can make everything dramatically simpler or, if it was never set up, leave your family with a much harder path – all make this one of the more complex accounts to handle.

This guide covers every aspect: what to do if Digital Legacy was set up, what to do if it wasn’t, the two-factor authentication problem that blocks most executors, how to deal with locked devices, what happens to subscriptions and purchased content, Apple Pay, AppleCare+, Family Sharing, and what to watch out for along the way.

For a broader overview of everything to deal with after a bereavement, see our what to do after a death hub.

Quick reference:

• Online (Legacy Contact access): digital-legacy.apple.com
• Online (account info and closure): Apple’s deceased account support page (UK)
• Activation Lock removal: al-support.apple.com
• Phone: No dedicated bereavement line – all requests handled online. Apple Support (general): 0800 107 6285
• Documents needed: death certificate + access key (if Digital Legacy was set up), or death certificate + court order (if not)

Did they set up Digital Legacy? Start here

Apple’s Digital Legacy feature is the most important thing to understand about Apple accounts and death. Introduced with iOS 15.2 and macOS Monterey 12.1 in December 2021, it allows anyone with an Apple account to designate one or more people as Legacy Contacts. If it was set up, you have a relatively clear path. If it was not, you are facing a significantly harder process.

A Legacy Contact is someone the account holder trusted to access their Apple data after death. When they designated you, Apple generated an access key – a unique document (printable or shareable as a PDF or via iMessage). To claim access, you submit that access key along with a death certificate at digital-legacy.apple.com.

Once Apple approves the request – typically within two to four weeks – you receive a dedicated Apple ID giving access to the account for three years. During that time you can download photos, messages, notes, files, app data, device backups, contacts, and calendar information.

What is accessible:

• Photos and videos (iCloud Photos)
• Messages and iMessage history
• Notes, files, and iCloud Drive documents
• Device backups
• Contacts and calendar data

What is not accessible, even with Legacy Contact:

• iCloud Keychain (saved passwords and passkeys)
• Payment information
• Purchased apps, music, films, and books (these are licences, not assets – see below)
• Active subscriptions (these end when the account closes)

(Source: Apple Support – How to add a Legacy Contact, last verified June 2026.)

Checking whether Legacy Contact was set up

If you are not sure whether the deceased designated a Legacy Contact, you can check on their device:

• On iPhone or iPad: Settings → [their name] → Sign-In & Security → Legacy Contact
• On Mac: System Settings → [their name] → Sign-In & Security → Legacy Contact

The access key is a separate document – it may be stored in a printed will, in a password manager, shared by iMessage, or saved as a PDF. Without both the access key and a death certificate, even a designated Legacy Contact cannot proceed.

The two-factor authentication problem

This is the single most common blocker for executors – and the one most guides fail to explain properly.

Apple requires two-factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts. When you try to log into an Apple ID, Apple sends a six-digit verification code to a trusted device (an iPhone, iPad, or Mac already signed into the account) or to a trusted phone number. Without that code, you cannot access the account, regardless of whether you know the password.

For an executor who did not live with the deceased, this creates an immediate problem:

• If you do not have access to any of their trusted devices (typically their iPhone), and
• If their phone number has been cancelled, disconnected, or transferred

…you cannot sign in through the normal Apple ID route, even with the correct password.

What this means in practice:

1. If you have access to their phone (still powered on, still receiving texts): You can use the trusted phone number to receive 2FA codes. This is the simplest path if you have the password or can trigger a password reset.
2. If you have one of their trusted devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) that is still signed in: The 2FA code will appear as a pop-up notification on that device. You can use this to sign in from another device.
3. If you have neither a trusted device nor the trusted phone number: You cannot use the normal sign-in route. Apple has an account recovery process via iforgot.apple.com, but this is designed for living users who have lost their own devices – it involves a waiting period of several days to weeks, and is not designed for bereavement scenarios. Apple Support cannot shorten this waiting period.

The important distinction with Legacy Contact: If Digital Legacy was set up with an access key, you do not need to sign in to the Apple ID at all. The Legacy Contact process runs entirely through digital-legacy.apple.com and uses the access key as the authentication mechanism – not 2FA. This is another reason why the access key is so valuable.

Practical steps if you are locked out by 2FA:

1. Check whether any of their devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) are available and still signed in – these can display 2FA codes
2. Check whether their SIM card is still active – if the number is still reachable, a 2FA SMS can be received on any phone that has the SIM
3. Contact Apple Support on 0800 107 6285 and explain the situation – they can advise on account recovery, though the process will still take time
4. If the account holds data of significant legal or financial importance, take legal advice on obtaining a court order (see below)

Do not attempt to reset the password using the “Forgot password” route unless you can complete 2FA. A failed or incomplete password reset attempt can complicate the process further.

Activation Lock – when a device cannot be used

2FA and Activation Lock are separate problems, but they interact in a way that catches many executors off guard.

Activation Lock is a security feature that ties every iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch to the Apple ID that set it up. If Find My is enabled on a device – which it is by default on all modern Apple devices – that device cannot be erased, set up with a new Apple ID, or used by anyone else without the original Apple ID credentials. A device with Activation Lock active is, for most practical purposes, unusable.

Here is where the two problems converge: to remove Activation Lock by signing into the Apple ID, you need the password – and 2FA. If you cannot complete 2FA (because you do not have a trusted device or phone number), you cannot remove Activation Lock through the normal route either.

Routes to Activation Lock removal

Route 1 – via Digital Legacy: If you have been granted Legacy Contact access, Apple will remove Activation Lock from the deceased’s devices as part of that process. This is the cleanest route and does not require the Apple ID password or 2FA.

Route 2 – Apple’s Activation Lock support (without legacy access): Apple has a dedicated process for this at al-support.apple.com. You submit a request with:

• A death certificate
• Proof of your identity
• Proof of your relationship to the deceased
• The device serial number (found on the original box, an invoice, or in Settings before the lock)
• Proof of purchase (the original receipt, showing the serial number)

Apple reviews each case manually. Even with full documentation, approval is not guaranteed, and some requests are declined. If you visit an Apple Store with the original documentation, staff can submit the request on your behalf and may be able to advise on the likely outcome.

Route 3 – iCloud.com sign-in: If you can sign in to the deceased’s Apple ID (with 2FA), you can remove Activation Lock remotely by going to iCloud.com/find, selecting the device, and choosing “Remove This Device.” This erases the device remotely and removes the lock.

Important: removing Activation Lock does not remove a device passcode. After the lock is removed, the device will need to be erased and restored before it can be set up with a new Apple ID. Any data on the device that was not backed up to iCloud will be lost in this process. Download iCloud backups before proceeding if you have access.

(Source: Apple Support – How to remove Activation Lock, last verified June 2026.)

If Digital Legacy was not set up: how to request access

For anyone who died before December 2021 (when the feature launched), or who simply never activated it, the process of accessing their Apple account is considerably more difficult.

Apple’s position is that, in the UK and most other countries, account access requires a court order naming you as the rightful inheritor of the deceased’s personal information. The order must:

• Name the deceased
• Identify their Apple Account (usually their email address)
• State your relationship to the deceased
• Contain specific wording that “Apple is ordered by the court to assist in provision of access to the deceased’s information”

A grant of probate, or a grant of letters of administration, is not sufficient. Apple’s requirement is for a specific court order – a separate legal step, typically requiring a solicitor, that can take several months and add significant cost to the estate. For more on what probate does and does not cover, see our guide to what is probate.

In some countries (France, Germany, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand) Apple accepts alternative documentation in place of a court order. The UK is not currently on that list.

You can start a request via Apple’s deceased account support page. If you only want the account permanently deleted (rather than gaining access to its data), Apple has a separate deletion form at digital-legacy-account.apple.com – this is a simpler process and does not require a court order.

Most families only pursue the court order route if the account contains data of specific financial, legal, or sentimental importance to the estate. For guidance on the probate process, see our guide to probate.

What you can and cannot access

The difference between having an access key and not having one is substantial:

(Source: Apple Support – How to request access to a deceased family member’s Apple Account, last verified June 2026.)

Purchased content – apps, music, films, and books

Apple’s approach to purchased digital content is one of the most common sources of confusion for families. When someone buys a song, a film, a book, or an app from Apple, they are buying a licence to use that content – they do not own it outright. Apple’s terms of service explicitly state that these rights terminate upon death and do not form part of the estate.

This means:

• iTunes music and film purchases do not transfer to another Apple ID
• App Store purchases do not transfer
• Apple Books purchases do not transfer

If a family member was sharing content through Family Sharing’s purchase-sharing feature, they may continue to see those items in their own library while the account remains open. Once the account is closed, that shared access ends.

This is a frustrating reality, and it is worth being clear with family members who may be expecting to inherit a large digital library. The content is not recoverable after the account closes.

(Source: Apple Support – Legacy Contact feature, last verified June 2026.)

iCloud data – photos, files, and email

iCloud holds a significant amount of data for most Apple users: photos and videos, documents in iCloud Drive, iPhone and iPad backups, emails (if the deceased used an iCloud email address), contacts, calendars, and notes.

If you gain access through Digital Legacy, you can download this data during the three-year access window. Once that window closes, the account and all its data are permanently deleted. There is no recovery route after deletion.

Photos are typically what families care most about. If the deceased used iCloud Photos, those images are stored in iCloud and are only accessible through the account. If you have Legacy Access, export everything you want to keep – iCloud Photos can be exported in full from iCloud.com.

If the deceased shared albums with you through iCloud Photo Sharing (now called Shared Albums), those shared albums remain accessible to participants even after the account closes – but no new content can be added.

Apple Pay and Apple Wallet after death

Apple Pay is linked directly to the Apple ID and the device. It stores payment cards (debit, credit, and prepaid) and, for UK users, may also hold an Oyster card, loyalty cards, and travel passes in the Wallet app.

When someone dies, their Apple Pay cards are not automatically cancelled. However, Apple Pay requires the device itself to authenticate each payment (using Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode), so the payment cards are not accessible to anyone who does not have the unlocked device. In practice, an Activation Lock-secured device blocks any Apple Pay use immediately.

Steps to deal with Apple Pay:

1. Contact each card issuer (bank or card provider) directly to notify them of the death and cancel the cards. This is the correct route – the card account, not Apple Pay, holds the funds. See our guides to individual banks in our what to do after a death hub for bank-specific instructions.
2. For prepaid cards or balances stored in Wallet (other than bank-linked cards), check the terms of each individual card issuer. Balance recovery varies by provider.
3. Apple Pay itself does not hold funds. If someone had a debit card linked to Apple Pay, the funds sit with the bank, not with Apple.
4. If you need to remotely disable Apple Pay on the deceased’s device (for example, if the device is lost or you cannot locate it), you can do so at iCloud.com/find by selecting the device and placing it in Lost Mode, which suspends Apple Pay automatically.

(Source: Apple Support – Set up and use Apple Pay, last verified June 2026.)

AppleCare+ after death

AppleCare+ is Apple’s extended warranty and accidental damage protection for Apple devices. It is tied to the device’s serial number, not the Apple ID.

When someone dies, any active AppleCare+ plans on their devices continue until they expire or are actively cancelled. The plan runs with the device, so if the device is passed to a family member, they inherit the remaining AppleCare+ coverage. They do not need to transfer anything – the plan follows the device, not the owner.

To cancel an AppleCare+ plan and request a refund for unused months:

• If you have access to the Apple ID, go to reportaproblem.apple.com and request a refund for the subscription.
• If you do not have account access, contact Apple Support on 0800 107 6285 with a death certificate. Apple can cancel active AppleCare+ plans and process a pro-rata refund to the estate.
• Alternatively, contact the card provider that was being charged – if billing is ongoing, your bank may be able to raise a dispute, though contacting Apple directly is the more straightforward route.

If the deceased had an AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss plan and the device has been lost or stolen, it is worth noting that bereavement does not automatically constitute a loss claim. The estate would need to go through the standard claims process – if the device is present and unneeded, cancelling the plan and receiving a refund is simpler.

(Source: Apple Support – Cancel AppleCare, last verified June 2026.)

What happens to Apple subscriptions

Apple subscriptions are tied to the Apple ID. When the account is closed, all subscriptions end. There is no mechanism to transfer them to another account.

The subscriptions most likely to be affected include:

iCloud+: iCloud storage plans (50 GB, 200 GB, 2 TB) are billed monthly and continue until the account is closed. Unlike some services, Apple does not automatically stop billing on death – the subscription will keep charging the linked payment method until you act. Check whether a debit or credit card linked to the deceased’s account is being charged, and factor this into estate management. For more on managing direct debits and subscriptions after a bereavement, see our guide to direct debits and subscriptions.

Apple Music: All plan types are Apple ID-based. A family plan organiser dying does not automatically transfer the plan – remaining family members will lose access when the account closes and will need to set up their own subscriptions.

Apple TV+: Apple TV+ is an Apple ID-based subscription. Content accessed through Apple TV+ becomes inaccessible once the account closes. If the deceased was the Family Sharing organiser and was sharing Apple TV+ with family members, all family members lose access when the account closes. Each person will need to subscribe independently. Apple TV+ costs £8.99/month (or included in Apple One). Note that any Apple TV+ free trial or promotional credit included with a device purchase is non-transferable and ends with the account.

Apple Arcade: The subscription ends with the account. If the deceased was the Family Sharing organiser, other family members lose access to shared Apple Arcade when the account closes.

Apple News+ and Apple Fitness+: Both are Apple ID-based and end with the account. If shared through Family Sharing, other members lose access when the organiser’s account closes.

Apple One: Apple One bundles multiple services (Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, iCloud+, and in higher tiers Apple News+ and Fitness+). All of these end when the account closes. If the deceased was a Family Sharing organiser on an Apple One Premier plan, the entire bundle – and all associated Family Sharing benefits – ends when the account is closed.

Cancelling subscriptions if you have access

If you can sign in to the Apple ID, go to Settings → [the name] → Subscriptions (on iPhone/iPad) or App Store → Account → Subscriptions (on Mac) to see and cancel all active subscriptions.

Cancelling subscriptions if you do not have access

Contact Apple Support on 0800 107 6285 with a death certificate. Apple can cancel subscriptions and stop future billing once the account holder’s death is verified.

iCloud Family Sharing – what happens if they were the organiser

Family Sharing lets up to six people share subscriptions, app purchases, and iCloud storage under one family group. The organiser is the person who set up the group and controls membership.

If the deceased was the organiser of a Family Sharing group, this creates additional complications when the account closes:

• The family group dissolves
• All shared subscriptions (Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, Fitness+, iCloud storage) end immediately
• Purchase sharing (shared access to the organiser’s App Store and iTunes purchases) ends
• Apple One bundle benefits shared with the family group end
• Each family member needs to set up independent subscriptions

Apple does not have a process for transferring Family Sharing organiser status to another family member before account closure. The practical advice is: do not rush to close the account. Give all family members advance notice so they can set up their own subscriptions before shared access ends. This is especially important for children in the family group who may be relying on shared Screen Time settings, which are managed by the organiser.

If the deceased was a member (not organiser) of a Family Sharing group, the other family members’ access is unaffected. The organiser can remove the deceased’s account from the group via Family Sharing settings.

Apple Developer accounts

If the deceased had an Apple Developer account – used for publishing apps to the App Store or participating in Apple’s developer programmes – this is a separate account from their personal Apple ID and requires different handling.

Apple Developer accounts cannot be transferred, inherited, or assigned to another individual or organisation after death. Apps and software published under the account will remain available in the App Store until the account lapses or is closed, but ongoing maintenance, updates, and revenue distributions cannot continue without an active account.

If the deceased was a solo developer with an Individual account:

• App Store revenue (royalties from paid apps or in-app purchases) is paid to the developer’s linked bank account. Contact Apple’s developer support to report the death and arrange any final payment to the estate.
• The account will lapse when the annual membership fee is not renewed. Apps will be removed from the App Store after the account closes.
• Contact Apple Developer support at developer.apple.com/contact to report the death and understand the timeline.

If the deceased was a member of an Organisation account:

• Organisation accounts can continue under the remaining account holders. The deceased can be removed from the account by the Account Holder or Admin.
• If the deceased was the sole Account Holder of an Organisation account, a solicitor or estate representative will need to contact Apple Developer support to transfer the account. This requires legal documentation.

(Source: Apple Developer – Developer Program License Agreement, last verified June 2026.)

Tell Us Once and the Death Notification Service

Tell Us Once is a government service that allows you to notify multiple government departments of a death in a single step. It covers HMRC, DWP, DVLA, and other public bodies. Apple is a private company and is not part of Tell Us Once.

The Death Notification Service (DNS) is a free service for notifying UK banks and financial institutions of a death. It is a UK Finance initiative and covers banks, building societies, and a limited range of financial providers. Apple is not a DNS member. Apple accounts must be handled directly with Apple via support.apple.com/en-gb/102431 or by calling 0800 107 6285.

Scotland

Scottish law uses a different court structure from England and Wales, but for Apple account access, this makes no practical difference. Apple’s requirement for a court order applies UK-wide – it is Apple’s own policy, not a reflection of the legal system.

In Scotland, Confirmation is the legal process equivalent to a Grant of Probate in England and Wales. A Certificate of Confirmation (or an Extract Confirmation) is issued by the Sheriff Court, not the High Court. For small estates under £36,000, an executor can use the simplified C1 or C5 form process via the Sheriff Court to obtain Confirmation without a solicitor.

However, as noted above, a Certificate of Confirmation – like a Grant of Probate in England and Wales – is not sufficient for Apple to grant access to an account. If a Scottish family needs to obtain a court order specifically directed at Apple, they would need to apply to the Sheriff Court for an order in appropriate terms. A solicitor experienced in digital estate matters would be needed.

The same practical routes available in England apply in Scotland: the Digital Legacy route (if set up) is by far the simplest, the Activation Lock removal process at al-support.apple.com works for UK-wide applications, and account deletion (not access) is available without a court order at digital-legacy-account.apple.com.

Things to watch out for

Do not change the account password. If you can access their device or email account, you might be tempted to reset the password. Doing so triggers 2FA on every other device signed into that account, locks them all out, and can complicate the access process significantly.

Download data before closing the account. Once an Apple ID is closed, nothing can be recovered. Before submitting any account closure request, download everything you want to keep.

Check Family Sharing before the account closes. If the deceased was the Family Sharing organiser, warn other family members that shared subscriptions will end. Give them time to set up their own accounts.

iCloud subscriptions continue until you act. Apple’s billing does not stop automatically on death. If there is an active debit or credit card linked to the account, it will continue to be charged until the account is closed or the payment method expires.

Apple Card is not available in the UK. Apple Card is a US credit card product. As of June 2026, it has not launched in the UK, so there is nothing to deal with in that regard for UK users.

Three-year Legacy Contact window. If you are granted Digital Legacy access, the three-year access window starts from the date the request is approved – not from the date of death. Download everything you want before the window closes. There is no extension and no recovery route after it expires.

Summary: key steps

Apple accounts require more thought than most when someone dies – the range of data, the licence structure for purchased content, and the interaction between 2FA and Activation Lock combine to make this one of the harder digital estates to manage. Starting with Digital Legacy (if it was set up) is the simplest route. If it was not, start at support.apple.com/en-gb/102431 to understand your options.

For a broader overview of digital and financial accounts to deal with after a bereavement, see our what to do after a death hub. If the deceased also had a Google account – Gmail, Google Photos, or an Android phone – our guide to notifying Google covers the equivalent process and how Google’s Inactive Account Manager differs from Apple’s approach. For a full overview of all digital assets – social media, cryptocurrency, cloud storage, and digital purchases – see our guide to what happens to digital assets when someone dies.