We realized after mom passed that we didn't have her iTunes password, so we haven't been able to access any of the devices she left behind (her iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or MacBook). We did set up an Apple "Legacy ID" which gives us access to her iCloud account (so we can download her pictures, contacts, etc.) but that doesn't allow us to log into her actual devices.
I figured getting access would be a simple matter of establishing that I'm the executor of mom's estate and providing Apple with her death certificate, right? Nope. In order for them to give me access to reset the password on her iTunes account, I have to literally obtain a court order.
We received your recent escalation. The case notes indicate you would like to take over a loved ones Apple ID.
If this is correct, the following are required to move forward with this option:
The decedent’s Apple ID
A copy of the decedent's death certificate
A court order that specifies all of the following:
The decedent was the owner of all accounts associated with the Apple ID.
The requestor is the administrator or the legal personal representative of the decedent’s estate.
As administrator or legal personal representative, the requestor is the “agent” of the decedent, and their authorization constitutes “lawful consent” as those terms are used in the Electronic Communications Privacy Act or equivalent law.
Apple is ordered by the court to assist in the recovery of decedent's personal data from their accounts, which may contain third party personally identifiable information or data.
So, two takeaways here:
1. If you ever die, rest assured that no one will get access to your Apple data without expending
very significant effort to do so.
2. Make sure you have your loved ones' iTunes password. Otherwise you'll end up with a whole bunch of devices that you can't use.
When darkness veils the world, four Warriors of Light shall come.