Google digital legacy
Google Inactive Account Manager setup guide
Google's Inactive Account Manager is triggered by account inactivity, not a declaration of death. That makes it relevant to digital continuity, but different from Apple's Legacy Contact process.
General educational information only. Requirements vary by document, jurisdiction, institution, and individual facts.
Understand the trigger
Google evaluates account inactivity using its current process and the period you choose. Consider travel, illness, infrequent use, and alternate accounts before selecting a timeline.
Choose contacts and write the message
Select people you trust, confirm their contact information, and write a message that explains why they are receiving the notification and what you want them to do.
Choose data deliberately
Decide which eligible Google products each contact may receive. Do not share everything by default when a person only needs family photos, files, or another limited category.
Decide whether deletion is appropriate
Review Google's current deletion option and timing carefully. Consider records, subscriptions, domains, YouTube content, family files, and information an executor or business may still need.
Record the setup outside Google
Note that Inactive Account Manager is configured, who the contacts are, the general data choices, and when it was reviewed. Do not store unnecessary account secrets in the same note.
Sources and further reading
Provider interfaces and institutional requirements can change. Confirm current instructions with the organization involved.
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