How to set up Google's digital legacy

There is a setting in your Google account that decides what happens to your data if you stop using it. It’s not a feature for the living, exactly, but it is a practical tool for the people who will inherit your digital footprint.

Google calls this your "digital legacy." You can configure it to grant access to specific people after a period of inactivity. By default, that period is often three months, but you can adjust the timeline to whatever feels right for your situation.

The interface is straightforward. You’ll see options for who can download your data, whether to delete the account entirely, and how much inactivity triggers the process. There are also toggles for reminders and pausing your plan if you decide to change your mind.

To get there, go directly to myaccount.google.com/inactive.

It’s a small, quiet setting that handles a very large consequence. If you haven’t looked at it yet, it’s worth a minute of your time to decide who gets your emails, photos, and files when you’re no longer around to manage them.