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How to pass on your phone and data when you power off for good
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No one likes to talk about death, much less plan for it.
But
if you don’t think about what happens to all that data stored on your
phone, you could create some serious problems for a loved one should you
pass away unexpectedly. That’s because your mobile device, and by
extension your Google account, hold key financial data, passwords,
connections to other accounts, and of course a lot of pictures, especially if you’re using the new Google Photos for backup.
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If
you don’t plan ahead for someone to access your smartphone and account
data, it could be a serious headache for those close to you.
Fortunately
there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure the right person
gets access to your phone and the right data without compromising your
day-to-day security. Here’s how to set up a nearly foolproof system that
protects your accounts but lets the right person in should something
unfortunate happen.
Use Google’s Inactive Account Manager
Google
has done a good job with a comprehensive, easy-to-follow method for
ensuring only someone you identify gets access to your Google account.
It’s called Inactive Account Manager—you
can dictate who can assume control of your account should it stop
seeing activity for three months or longer. You can then designate up to
10 different contacts who to get access. You can even create a custom
message for those people to receive, if you’re into that.
Since
you’re an Android user, your Google account is a key piece of your
online identity. If you pay your bills, have mortgage statements, or
other important financial information saved in your Gmail or Google
Drive, access to this can be invaluable for a loved one.
Should
something happen to you, your significant other or a family member may
have a much easier time taking care of key details if they’re able to
access your smartphone and get into your Gmail archive. Gmail’s been
around for ten years now, so if you’ve been using it for even half that
long there are probably a lot of details saved there you would want
someone to have.
However, if for some reason you want
all your data to disappear when you do, opt for your account to delete
itself after a specified period of inactivity. This section is pretty
straightforward: just select this choice and then you’ll know that
nothing that belongs to you will float out there in the Internet when
you’re gone.
Set the right level of device security
Most
Android phones allow for some type of password or PIN to unlock the
device. So make sure the right person knows how to get in to your device
should something go awry.
Fingerprint scanners, like the one on the Galaxy S6
and Edge, provide much deeper security than a PIN. But be sure someone
knows how to get in to your device with a backup PIN if you’ve gone the
fingerprint route. This can avoid an extreme solution in
order to access your device, which may be necessary for notifying
relatives or friends of your demise. Again, just like having an escape
plan should your house catch fire, you should think ahead about this so
someone you care about doesn’t have to deal with this as a problem as
well.
Use a password manager
If you have a spouse
or significant other, the best solution is to use a shared password
manager account. All your logins and passwords are securely through Dashlane, LastPass, or another alternative. I’ve become a particular fan lately of Dashlane, which has a great interface and integrates with SwiftKey for easy password entry.
Dashlane is one of several password managers that can save all your account data. By sharing an account, all your
passwords are safely shared. If you don't want to share a single
account, you can at least make sure someone you trust has your master
password and knows how to access your account.
Dashlane
also stores your credit cards and Secure Notes, which is a great place
to keep sensitive information like a Social Security number.
The
bottom line is to use common sense and not ignore the issue of your
inevitable demise. Thinking about what happens to your smartphone and
account data when you pass on is just as important as having a will and
managing other end-of-life issues. Take the time to do it. This will
give you and your loved ones peace of mind so you can focus on living.
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