Social Media and Email
What happens to a Gmail or Google account when someone dies?
Short answer
Google has an Inactive Account Manager — a tool the account holder sets up in advance to specify what happens after a period of inactivity (share data with designated contacts, or delete the account). If no Inactive Account Manager was set up…
What this usually means
Google has an Inactive Account Manager — a tool the account holder sets up in advance to specify what happens after a period of inactivity (share data with designated contacts, or delete the account). If no Inactive Account Manager was set up, an immediate family member can submit a request to Google to access or close the account. Google requires a death certificate and in some cases a court order for access to content.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county phone numbers for coroner, vital records, and local offices.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.