1 Make Sure Someone Can Unlock Your Phone
If your family can't unlock your phone, they can't access your password manager, your banking apps,
your photos, or most of your digital life. This is the single biggest barrier executors face.
On iPhone
- Tell someone your passcode. Not Face ID — the actual 4- or 6-digit number. Write it down and put it in your safe if you need to.
- Or add a trusted fingerprint / face. Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Set Up an Alternate Appearance. Let a spouse or adult child use their face.
- Or enable Recovery Contact. Settings → Apple ID → Sign-In & Security → Account Recovery → Add Recovery Contact. This lets someone help reset your Apple ID password — but only works if your phone is accessible.
On Android
- Write down your PIN or pattern. Store it with your other estate documents.
- Or add a trusted fingerprint. Settings → Security → Fingerprint → Add fingerprint.
- Or enable Google Account recovery. Make sure your recovery email and phone number are current at myaccount.google.com/security.
Why this matters: Face ID and Touch ID stop working when you're gone. Biometrics depend on
a living person. Your passcode is the only thing that works after death. If no one knows it, your phone is a brick.
2 Know How to Disable Face ID in an Emergency
In a medical emergency, first responders or family may need to access your phone for health information,
emergency contacts, or to notify loved ones. Face ID can block them.
Disable Face ID / Touch ID Temporarily
iPhone (iOS 11+):
Press and hold the Side button + either Volume button for 2 seconds
This brings up the power-off screen. When you dismiss it, Face ID is disabled until you enter your passcode.
This is also what happens when you call emergency services (press Side button 5 times rapidly on older iPhones).
Android (most devices):
Press and hold the Power button → Tap "Lockdown" or "Emergency"
This disables biometric unlock and requires your PIN or password. On some phones, this is in Settings →
Security → Lockdown mode.
Why this matters: Police, medical staff, and even family members can't compel a dead person's
face or fingerprint to unlock a phone. But they can use a passcode if they have it. The temporary-disable
trick ensures your phone falls back to passcode-only mode when it matters most.
Tell Your Emergency Contact
Make sure at least one person knows both of the above: (1) your passcode, and (2) how to disable biometrics
if they need to get into your phone in a hurry.
✅ Done both? Great. Now you're ready for the full guide.
Continue to Full Step-by-Step Guide →
Who should do this?
Everyone with a smartphone. But especially: seniors living alone, anyone with a complex medication regimen
(first responders need your medical info), people with sole access to family finances, and anyone whose
executor lives in a different city.
The test: If you were unconscious right now, could your spouse or adult child get into your phone
within 60 seconds? If the answer is no, fix that today.