What happens to each account

Google is one of the few platforms with a true plan-ahead tool. Setting up Inactive Account Manager now saves your family a formal request later.

Apple's Digital Legacy program is worth setting up now — otherwise reaching a loved one's iCloud photos can require a court order.

There's no pre-planning setting, and Microsoft asks for legal documentation to grant access — so list Outlook/OneDrive in your inventory and leave any essential files elsewhere.

Yahoo's policy is closure, not access — its terms treat accounts as non-transferable, so leave any needed information elsewhere.

Facebook offers both a plan-ahead Legacy Contact and after-the-fact memorialization or deletion — decide which you want and tell your family.

Instagram has no advance setting, but it will memorialize or remove an account on request — your written wishes tell family which to choose.

X does not memorialize; it deactivates. There's no pre-planning tool, so note the account in your inventory.

TikTok added memorialization in 2022 — an account can be frozen as a memorial or removed on request.

LinkedIn has no advance tool but will memorialize or remove a deceased member's profile when notified.

WhatsApp keeps almost nothing centrally — securing the phone matters more than any account request, since chats are stored on the device.

A YouTube channel is part of its Google account, so Google's Inactive Account Manager and deceased-user process apply.

PayPal/Venmo balances are part of the estate — an executor closes the account with documentation.

Banks have no digital legacy setting — the key step is making sure accounts are listed in your estate documents so nothing is missed.

Exchange accounts can be claimed by the estate; self-custody crypto cannot be recovered without the keys — leave a recovery note.

Amazon accounts are closed via customer service. Note that Kindle books and other digital content usually can't be inherited.

Netflix is a subscription, not an asset. The only step that matters is cancelling it so charges stop.

Spotify is a subscription with no inheritance path — cancel to stop charges. Save any meaningful playlists by exporting them beforehand.

A large Steam library can't be passed on — the account is licensed, not owned. It's worth knowing this before it surprises a family.

Dropbox releases files only with a court order, so anything essential is better duplicated somewhere your executor can reach.

Venmo balances belong to the estate. There's no advance setting — report the account with documentation to close it and settle any funds.

Cash App has no legacy tool, but the estate can close the account and claim a balance — note any stock or bitcoin held there in your inventory.

eBay accounts are closed on request with documentation — worth noting if a loved one ran a store or has open transactions.

Snapchat keeps little centrally (snaps are ephemeral) and offers no memorial — the account can be reported for removal.

Reddit will deactivate a deceased user's account on a family request — public posts may remain unless removed, so decide what you want kept.

Discord has no memorial and no advance setting — the account can be disabled on a documented family request.

GitHub is one of the few developer platforms with a real continuity plan — naming a successor now keeps important projects reachable.

A phone line is a 2-factor lifeline. Before closing it, make sure any accounts tied to that number are updated — then close or transfer with documentation.

As with any carrier, the number is a 2-factor key. Transfer or close the Verizon line only after moving the codes it receives.

Telegram is built around auto-deletion — set the self-destruct timer now so an unused account quietly closes itself rather than lingering.

Proton's encryption means no one — not even Proton — can hand over your mail without your password, so leave recovery details somewhere safe for your executor.

Pinterest has no advance setting, but it will deactivate a loved one's account on request with documentation.

Twitch has no legacy tool — a deceased user's account can be reported for deactivation, so note any channel with a following in your plan.

Brokerage holdings are real assets — naming a TOD beneficiary now lets your investments pass to family without a lengthy probate process.

Retirement and brokerage accounts are among the most valuable things you'll leave — keeping beneficiaries current is the single most important step.