Digital life after death in Canada: how to close accounts and protect digital assets
When someone dies, there is often more to manage than mail, bills, and paperwork. Most people also leave behind a digital life: phones and laptops, email accounts, photo libraries, subscriptions, social profiles, rewards points, and sometimes money held online.
If you are supporting a loved one’s estate, or planning ahead for your own, this guide walks through the practical steps that matter most in Canada.
The quick take
Protect devices before you try to close anything.
Check for recurring charges early.
Do not close the main email account too soon.
Planning ahead can make digital tasks much easier for the people you leave behind.
Why digital tasks matter
These accounts often hold important memories, financial information, and records you may need to settle the estate.
Managing them can help you:
- protect photos, messages, and files
- stop subscriptions and app renewals
- reduce the risk of identity fraud
- find the information needed for taxes, benefits, and bills
Start with what protects money and memories
You do not need a perfect plan on day one. Start with the steps that protect information and prevent extra costs.
Secure phones, laptops, and tablets
Keep devices somewhere safe and limit who can access them. If possible, keep them charged.
Do not wipe, reset, or give away devices yet. That can permanently erase photos, messages, saved passwords, and authentication apps.
Check what is still charging
Look through:
- credit card statements
- bank transactions
- PayPal or other payment apps
- Apple or Google app store subscriptions
This is often the fastest way to spot services that need attention.
Gather the documents you may need
In Canada, service providers may ask for proof of death and proof that you are authorized to act.
That may include:
- a statement of death
- a death certificate
- executor or liquidator documents, where needed
Build a simple list of digital accounts
You do not need to find everything right away. A working list is enough.
Where to look
Check places that usually leave a trail:
- email inboxes
- password managers
- phone settings
- browser password storage
- bank and credit card statements
- app subscription history
Search email for terms like:
- welcome
- verify
- receipt
- subscription
- invoice
What to note for each account
Keep it simple. For each account, note:
- service name
- email or username used
- whether there is a recurring charge
- whether you want to close, keep, transfer, or memorialize it
- any access notes, like two-step verification or a trusted device
Close accounts in the right order
One of the most common mistakes is closing the main email account too early. Email is often needed for password resets and verification codes.
A practical order is:
- mobile phone plan
- email accounts, after review
- financial and payment accounts
- subscriptions and memberships
- retail and delivery accounts
- social media accounts
- cloud storage and photo libraries
Keep the email account and phone number available until you are sure they are no longer needed for access.
What to know about access
Even if you are the executor, access is not always straightforward. Privacy laws, account terms, encryption, and two-step verification can all limit what a provider will share.
That is why planning ahead matters so much.
Apple devices and iCloud
Apple offers a Legacy Contact feature that lets someone choose a person who can request access to data in their Apple account after death.
That can include things like photos, notes, files, and backups. Some items, such as passwords stored in iCloud Keychain, are not included.
If Legacy Contact was set up, the person requesting access will usually need the access key and a death certificate.
If it was not set up, it may still be possible to request account deletion, but access to data is usually more limited.
Google accounts
Google’s Inactive Account Manager allows someone to decide in advance what happens to their account and data if it goes unused for a set period.
If no plan was set up, family members or representatives may be able to request account closure. Access to content is more limited, and providers generally do not share passwords.
Microsoft accounts
Microsoft also limits what it can share with anyone other than the account holder. In many cases, if login details are not available, the account may eventually close after a period of inactivity.
Social media accounts
For social media, families often need to choose between memorializing an account and deleting it.
Before taking action, it helps to ask what feels right for the family. Some want a place to remember the person. Others want privacy and closure.
If you are planning ahead, keep it simple
A little preparation can save your family a lot of stress later.
Make a digital inventory
List the accounts and services that matter most, including:
- primary email accounts
- phones and devices
- banking and payment logins
- utilities and subscriptions
- cloud storage
- social media
- digital assets with financial value, such as domain names, online stores, or crypto exchange accounts
Store this information somewhere secure and review it a couple of times a year.
Set up access where you can
Choose tools that make access easier and clearer.
That may include:
- Apple Legacy Contact
- Google Inactive Account Manager
- emergency access features in a password manager
Do not rely on loved ones guessing passwords or piecing things together later.
Line it up with your legal planning
Talk with your lawyer about how digital assets and digital instructions fit into your estate planning.
This is especially important if you have:
- business accounts
- websites or domain names
- online income
- crypto or other digital financial assets
This article is general information, not legal advice. When in doubt, follow the service provider’s official process or get legal guidance.
Canada-specific resources
These government resources can help with the non-digital steps that often overlap with online accounts:
- What to do when someone dies
- Notify federal programs of a death
- Death-related documents, including statement of death and death certificate
- Doing taxes for someone who died
- Québec note: additional estate steps may apply for liquidators of a succession
A practical way to stay organized
If you are dealing with this while grieving, it is normal to feel overwhelmed. Digital tasks can be tiring, repetitive, and emotional.
Solace helps people manage the logistical, administrative, and emotional tasks that follow a loss. That includes guidance for closing accounts, keeping track of what has been done, and knowing what comes next.
Button text: Get Solace
Quick checklist
FAQ
Can an executor access every online account?
Not always. Your legal role matters, but providers may still limit access because of privacy rules, account terms, encryption, or two-step verification.
Should I close the email account first?
No. In many cases, email is needed to reset passwords and receive verification codes for other accounts.
What if no one knows the passwords?
Use the provider’s official process. Some companies allow limited requests from executors or family members, but most will not share passwords.
Do I need to keep records of account closures?
Yes. Keep a simple log with dates, confirmation emails, and reference numbers. It can save time later if questions come up.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information, not legal advice. If you are unsure about your authority to access, transfer, or close an account, consult a lawyer or follow the provider’s official process.
.jpg)
