Microsoft and Apple security

libra10

@marcia_ Information about Apple's legacy account is here

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/102631   I wish our relative had done this.

@mta999 I don't think you would mind your relatives using your possessions, after passing.  Especially if you had left these items to your relative.

Thanks, Will check the simcard later.

Undervalued

libra10 said:

@MyRealNameToo  Thanks for replying.  I had read about the legacy account, unfortunately I don't think our relative would have known about it.  It would have been helpful though!  Regarding privacy and security, I agree, they are essential when using the internet.  However, when a deceased person has legally bequeathed his possessions to someone else, surely that should give that person legal rights to the bequest, and have the power to use it?  Unfortunately, there are few photos on the ipad, we wondered whether there would be more on the iphone, though they would all probably be backed up to cloud.

Thanks @Undervalued for your comments.  We would be happy if we could reinstall the laptop and iphone, without access to our relative's data.  Unfortunately though, due to not knowing passcodes etc, we are unable to do so.

With some technical help that should most likely be possible, certainly for the laptop. I can understand it being difficult / impossible for the iPhone. It used to be possible to wipe a locked iPhone / iPad from a computer, I've done it maybe seven years ago, but I think that door may well have been closed since then?

On the other point, whilst obviously I understand how you feel I don't agree. Reading other posts on this thread I am reminded that there is now a built in way of choosing to set up legacy access on iPhones. That didn't exist when my will was made so putting the password in a sealed envelope for my solicitor to file with my will was the only secure option. No solicitor would release it outside the terms of the will without a court order as they would very likely be struck off!

MyRealNameToo

Undervalued said:

libra10 said:

@MyRealNameToo  Thanks for replying.  I had read about the legacy account, unfortunately I don't think our relative would have known about it.  It would have been helpful though!  Regarding privacy and security, I agree, they are essential when using the internet.  However, when a deceased person has legally bequeathed his possessions to someone else, surely that should give that person legal rights to the bequest, and have the power to use it?  Unfortunately, there are few photos on the ipad, we wondered whether there would be more on the iphone, though they would all probably be backed up to cloud.

Thanks @Undervalued for your comments.  We would be happy if we could reinstall the laptop and iphone, without access to our relative's data.  Unfortunately though, due to not knowing passcodes etc, we are unable to do so.

With some technical help that should most likely be possible, certainly for the laptop. I can understand it being difficult / impossible for the iPhone. It used to be possible to wipe a locked iPhone / iPad from a computer, I've done it maybe seven years ago, but I think that door may well have been closed since then?

You can still "wipe" an iPhone, as in clear off all the data, personal settings, apps etc and when next turned on it will go through the new phone setup process BUT it will still be allocated to the prior iCloud account so you can't log into your account and you can't change settings for things like Find My Phone. Thats been since 2013. 

You can jailbreak a phone which gets around the problem but not on the last two generations of phones or since iOS16.5 so if its a later phone or the OS has been updated then there is no work around (yet)

debitcardmayhem

libra10 said:

debitcardmayhem said:

You should be able to access the laptop, by resetting the password, or at least be able to access the hard drive using a linux live usb, assuming that is not protected by bitlocker. 

The devices do not need to end up in landfill either, certainly not the laptop a reinstall would allow the reuse, and probably the iphone, but I am not au fait with iphones

Thanks for replying.  Unfortunately we are unable to bypass the HP Windows 11 laptop sign in passcode, have tried various ways.  Our relative (probably used face recognition for access).  Therefore, unable to reinstall.

If it’s the Windows password, not a BIOS/UEFI password you should still be able to boot from a USB. 

libra10

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

Will look into inserting the sim card into another phone, to see whether this works.  Would changing sim cards in our iphone damage it in any way?

@debitcardmayhem It is a Windows password on the laptop, but unsure how to boot from as USB stick.  

wongataa

libra10 said:

Will look into inserting the sim card into another phone, to see whether this works.  Would changing sim cards in our iphone damage it in any way?

No.  They are designed to be swappable as you can easily change network provider.

@debitcardmayhem It is a Windows password on the laptop, but unsure how to boot from as USB stick.  

Find out how to access the BIOS and in there will be an option to use a different boot device.

libra10

Thanks for your help.

sausage_time

libra10 said:

@marcia_ Information about Apple's legacy account is here

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/102631   I wish our relative had done this.

...

For others finding this thread, Google offer something similar for access to photos etc.

https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/3036546 

If you use Google consider setting this now. 

Sorry it's of no help to OP.

Vitor

The iPhone is a lost cause, even Apple can't unlock a phone regardless of court order. As the iPad is open, should be simple to look at photos on the device and on linked iCloud assuming the account remains active. 

Accessing Outlook.com, OneDrive and other Microsoft services when someone has died - Microsoft Support

Unless the HP Laptop has a BIOS password, you'll be able to use it after re-installing Windows but all the content will be lost. The days of defeating BIOS password by unplugging the battery are long over.

libra10

Very useful information, thanks for sharing.