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What to do if…
a loved one’s phone is locked after they die and you need to contact people who do not have your number

Short answer

Don’t try to brute-force or reset the phone—keep the line active, then use the carrier’s deceased-account process plus Apple/Google’s official after-death pathways to reach contacts without losing data.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t keep guessing the passcode (it can trigger escalating lockouts and, if certain settings are enabled, may disable the device or erase data).
  • Don’t factory reset/restore the phone “to unlock it” (you usually lose contacts, messages, and anything not already backed up).
  • Don’t use “unlocking” services or bypass tools (high scam risk; can destroy data; can be illegal or violate provider terms).
  • Don’t rush to disconnect the line (you can lose the phone number, voicemail, and incoming texts/calls that help you notify people).
  • Don’t share the person’s personal details publicly to find contacts (can invite identity theft and fraud).

What to do now

  1. Preserve what you have

    • Keep the phone safe and charged; avoid changing settings.
    • If it’s already on, it’s often best not to power it off (restarting can sometimes increase security prompts).
    • Gather supporting items you may need for official requests: device box/receipt, carrier bills, and documentation showing your authority.

  2. Use lock-screen options to reach at least one trusted person

    • Check the lock screen for missed calls/notifications that show names.
    • On iPhone, tap Emergency and look for Medical ID / Emergency Contacts if set up. Call one trusted contact and ask them to help relay news.

  3. Keep the number working as your “inbox”

    • Let calls/texts come in to the existing number—many people will respond fastest that way.
    • Only if you already know the voicemail PIN and have authorised access, retrieve voicemail and write down caller details. If you don’t, ask the carrier what bereavement options exist for voicemail/number retention.

  4. Call the carrier and use their deceased-account process (ask specifically to keep the number)

    • Ask for: temporary continuation of service, transfer of billing responsibility/line ownership, and keeping/porting the mobile number to someone authorised.
    • Carriers often require documentation and may resolve it by phone and/or in-store verification; keep notes of who you spoke to and any case/reference numbers.

  5. Use Apple’s or Google’s official after-death access paths (don’t rely on “hacks”)

    • Apple (iPhone): If the person set a Legacy Contact, the Legacy Contact can request access using the access key plus a death certificate through Apple’s Digital Legacy process. If no Legacy Contact exists, Apple provides a formal route to request access to or deletion of a deceased person’s Apple Account data in limited circumstances.
    • Google (Android/Gmail): Use Google’s deceased-user request path. Google will not provide passwords or other login details; in some cases they may provide content after review.

  6. If you’re the executor/personal representative, line up proof of authority (without assuming it will be immediate)

    • Providers may ask for a certified death certificate and documents showing you’re the authorised representative (often called Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, though naming and requirements vary by state/court).
    • If you don’t yet have court documents, still start with the carrier’s bereavement process to preserve the number while paperwork catches up.

  7. Start notifying people without the phone

    • Look for offline sources: address books, mail, employer HR contacts, faith/community groups, clubs.
    • If you have access to any already-signed-in email on a computer/tablet, message a few key people and ask them to share the news onward.
    • If a funeral home is involved, ask if they can help coordinate notifications (many families use them as a central relay).

What can wait

  • You don’t need to decide today about closing every account or long-term digital estate cleanup.
  • You don’t need immediate full phone unlock to contact people—use the active number, emergency contacts, any already-signed-in email, and paper records first.
  • You can wait on probate/court steps unless there’s a time-critical reason (e.g., active fraud, business continuity).

Important reassurance

Locked phones after a death are extremely common, and the pressure to “fix it now” is intense. The safest approach is to prevent irreversible mistakes (passcode guessing, resets, shady unlockers) while you use official channels that can actually preserve the number and, in some cases, restore access.

Scope note

These are first steps to help you contact people and prevent harm. Later steps (probate, disputes, high-value digital assets, complex account access) may require professional help in your state.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements vary by provider and state, and companies may require proof of identity and authority before sharing data or transferring service. When in doubt, use official bereavement/legacy processes rather than workarounds.

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