iPhone owners are just realizing they must press hidden button before they die – it’s too important to ignore

IPHONE devices have a hidden setting that allows users to share the contents of their devices should they pass away.

You may or may not know this, but Apple lets iPhone users add a “legacy contact.”

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WHAT IS A LEGACY CONTACT?

A Legacy Contact is a person you assign to have access to the data in your Apple account after your death.

“Adding a Legacy Contact is the easiest, most secure way to give someone you trust access to the data stored in your Apple account after your death,” Apple noted.

The data could include photos, messages, notes, files, apps, device backups, and more.

However, other information like entertainment bought with an Apple ID and data stored in Keychain can’t be accessed by your Legacy Contact.

HOW TO SET A LEGACY CONTACT

To be able to add a Legacy Contact for your Apple ID, you need to meet certain criteria.

First, your Apple device running iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2, or macOS Monterey 12.1.

Two-factor authentication must also be turned on for your Apple ID.

Finally, users need to be over the age of 13, though this varies in other countries.

After you have ticked those boxes, you can head to Settings, and then tap your name.

From there, tap Password & Security, then tap Legacy Contact.

Select Add Legacy Contact. You may be asked to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode.

On a Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Apple ID.

Click Password & Security, then click Legacy Contact. Tap on Add Legacy Contact.

HOW TO REMOVE A LEGACY CONTACT

You can also remove someone as a Legacy Contact whenever you want from your Apple ID settings. 

Just go to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, and open up Settings > [your name] > Password & Security.

On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Apple ID and select Password & Security.