What happens to a Google Account, Gmail and Google Photos when someone dies, and how the Inactive Account Manager lets you plan ahead.
What happens to a Google Account, Gmail and Google Photos when someone dies, and how the Inactive Account Manager lets you plan ahead.
Yes. The Inactive Account Manager lets the person choose what happens after a set period of inactivity, such as sharing chosen data with named people or deleting the account. Set it at myaccount.google.com under Data & privacy.
If the Inactive Account Manager was set up, the nominated people are contacted automatically once the account is inactive. If not, a relative can submit a request through Google’s deceased-account process with photo ID and a death certificate, though access is not guaranteed.
What is the single most useful thing to set up?
The Inactive Account Manager, and making sure someone can reach the Gmail account, because email resets most other logins.
Will Google give us the emails?
Sometimes, through the deceased-account request, but it is reviewed case by case and is not guaranteed.
Last reviewed June 2026. Platform processes change, so please confirm on the Google Account help page before acting. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.
Inactive Account Manager lets the person choose recipients after inactivity. Without it, submit Google's deceased-account request with photo ID and a death certificate. Gmail is the master key to many other accounts, so this one matters most. Outcomes without the manager are not guaranteed.
