Sharing passwords securely with loved ones: what is sensible?

When people think about digital legacy, passwords are often the first hurdle. Relatives need access — but how you share credentials matters as much as whether you share them at all.

Well-meaning shortcuts frequently backfire: passwords in email inboxes, photos of a notebook, or a list in a kitchen drawer. These methods expose you to theft, fraud, and accidental loss long before anyone needs them after a death.

What to avoid

• Sending passwords by email, SMS, or messaging apps
• Writing all credentials on paper kept in plain sight
• Using one shared master password for every account
• Storing recovery codes only on a single phone you carry daily
• Telling multiple people different fragments without a clear master plan

A safer model

The goal is controlled access: your accounts stay protected now, but a designated person can follow a documented path later. That usually combines three elements.

• A password manager to generate and store unique credentials
• Written or stored recovery instructions — not the passwords themselves in insecure places
• A trusted contact or emergency access feature with clear rules about when access is released

Password managers and emergency access

Leading password managers offer emergency or legacy access workflows. These typically require a waiting period and approval steps so nobody can grab your vault impulsively. Read the provider's terms and test that your nominee understands the process.

If you use 2FA, store backup codes securely inside your vault — not as screenshots scattered across devices.

Trusted contacts in MyICEGuide

MyICEGuide lets you designate trusted contacts and organise account information with release rules you control. That keeps sensitive material encrypted and avoids the need to hand over a raw password sheet today.

Review your list periodically. People move, relationships change, and accounts accumulate. A small annual refresh prevents a well-intentioned plan from going stale.