US Step-by-Step Guide
You can't just unlock a phone after someone dies.
Even close family members are often locked out — sometimes permanently.
See what's possible →Why phones stay locked.
Modern devices are built around the assumption that only one person should ever access them. Death wasn't designed into the system — and it shows.
Apple does not bypass passcodes.
For any reason. Not for police investigations, not for grieving families, not with a death certificate. Without a Legacy Contact set up before death, the iPhone is, in practice, sealed.
Repeated wrong attempts can erase everything.
iPhones with "Erase Data" enabled wipe themselves after 10 failed attempts. Many families learn this only after losing the photos and messages they were trying to recover.
Court orders rarely produce the phone you wanted.
Even with full legal authority, what's typically recoverable is iCloud-stored data — not the device contents. Local-only photos, notes and messages may be unrecoverable.
Android is similar — different layers.
The Google account holds most of the value. The Samsung account adds another. The device PIN is its own barrier. Each one needs a separate, formal request.
Two-factor authentication ties everything to the phone.
The locked phone is often the second factor for banks, email, password managers — meaning losing the phone means losing access to almost everything else too.
What to actually try.
If you're holding a locked phone right now, this is the order to follow. Stop trying random passcodes first.
Stop. Don't keep guessing.
Repeated wrong attempts can permanently erase data. Set the phone aside and gather what you know first.
Look for a Legacy Contact.
Check email, password managers, paper notes, and ask family. If one was set up, the access process is dramatically simpler.
Gather official documents.
Death certificate, photo ID, proof of relationship or executor status, and proof of phone ownership (purchase receipt, contract).
Submit through official channels only.
Apple Digital Legacy and Google's bereavement request portals. Avoid third-party "unlock" services — they do not work and can permanently lock the device.
Apply for a court order if refused.
A US probate attorney can pursue a court order through a US probate court for data release. Set expectations carefully — even with the order, full device access is uncommon.
The real solution isn't unlocking after — it's preparing before.
Free Step-by-Step Guide
If you can't unlock a device — start here.
A 12-page printable PDF with the official URLs, document checklists and exact steps for Apple, Google and Samsung. Written for families, not attorneys.
fideby
No one needs to be locked out when it matters.
Fideby helps you leave clear access instructions for your devices and accounts, so the people you trust can act — without paperwork, court orders or guesswork.
Set up your planStanding by the people you trust, when you can't.
Official setup links
Common questions.
Can the police unlock a deceased person's phone?
Generally no, unless there's an active criminal investigation. Civil family matters are not within their remit. They cannot help families recover personal data from a deceased relative's device.
Will Apple unlock an iPhone with a death certificate?
Apple does not bypass passcodes for any reason. With probate documents and a court order, they may grant access to iCloud data — but the device itself often remains locked. Apple Digital Legacy (set up before death) is the only smooth path.
Can I take the phone to a repair shop to unlock it?
Reputable shops will not bypass account security on a phone you cannot prove is yours. Anyone offering to do so on a deceased person's device is operating outside legitimate channels — and risks erasing the data entirely.
What about Android and Samsung phones?
Android access depends primarily on the linked Google account. Google offers a bereavement request process. Samsung devices add a Samsung account layer — both may need to be handled separately.
Is there any way to prepare in advance?
Yes, and it's the only reliable solution. Set up Apple Legacy Contact, Google Inactive Account Manager, and document your unlock method securely. Tools like Fideby make this structured rather than ad hoc.