User profile for user: sfranson85
sfranson85 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Legacy contact unable to sign in to deceased spouse's Apple ID on iPhone

I am the Legacy contact for my wife who passed away a couple months ago. I followed the steps and gained access to her iCloud to download her pictures and what not, but now I cannot use her phone. Her password for her apple id no longer works and when i attempt to reset her phone it tried to turn off the find my function, but it requires a password which no longer works and it wont let me reset it using forgot password either. Need some help here as her phone is completely useless if I can't sign into her apple id or reset the phone.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: My Late wife's apple id password doesn't work after starting the Legacy process. I can't reset her phone without a password to turn off "Find My Phone"


Posted on Oct 14, 2025 11:27 AM

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User profile for user: Chattanoogan
Chattanoogan
User level: Level 7
32,072 points

Posted on Oct 14, 2025 12:24 PM

Source: Request access to an Apple Account as a Legacy Contact - Apple Support


When your request is approved, you receive a special legacy contact Apple Account to access the account data.


The account holder’s original Apple Account no longer works, and Activation Lock is removed on any devices that use their Apple Account.


= = =


FYI, Apple has absolutely no means to allow ANYONE to access ANY iPhone or the data it might contain.


One MUST have the passcode.


What Apple CAN do - and presumably HAS done - is to release the activation lock on the phone.


This allows to phone to be reset (erased) and repurposed.


The following steps will erase the phone and make it available for repurposing.


If you’ve forgotten your iPhone passcode or your iPhone is disabled – Apple Support (UK)








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User profile for user: Chattanoogan
Chattanoogan
User level: Level 7
32,072 points

Oct 14, 2025 12:24 PM in response to sfranson85

Source: Request access to an Apple Account as a Legacy Contact - Apple Support


When your request is approved, you receive a special legacy contact Apple Account to access the account data.


The account holder’s original Apple Account no longer works, and Activation Lock is removed on any devices that use their Apple Account.


= = =


FYI, Apple has absolutely no means to allow ANYONE to access ANY iPhone or the data it might contain.


One MUST have the passcode.


What Apple CAN do - and presumably HAS done - is to release the activation lock on the phone.


This allows to phone to be reset (erased) and repurposed.


The following steps will erase the phone and make it available for repurposing.


If you’ve forgotten your iPhone passcode or your iPhone is disabled – Apple Support (UK)








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Legacy contact unable to sign in to deceased spouse's Apple ID on iPhone

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