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If a close friend or relative dies unexpectedly, the last thing you want to deal with is their locked iPhone.
As Cult of Mac writer Ed Hardy explains in today’s top post, a locked iPhone is not like a locked safe or storage locker. The traditional lock/key analogy does not apply when it comes to digital devices like iPhones.
Unfortunately, the wrong time to find this out is post mortem.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do ahead of time. One of the most effective is to have your relative designate you as a Legacy Contact — a feature that allows you to unlock their devices after they pass.
Here are some other things to keep in mind, too.
Also in today’s newsletter:
Saucy pics are not the only snaps you might want to hide in your Photos library. And it’s easier than you think, once you know how.
Apple’s getting unusual praise for its 2026 Pride Collection. For once, users seem to like it.
🔥 DEAL OF THE DAY: This looks like a really good deal on a four-pack of Matter-compatible smart plugs for just $25. My 83-year-old mom just set up some smart plugs at her house on her own (no help from me!), and I was super-impressed by how she can now turn her lights on and off via Alexa. (The smart plugs in today’s deal work with Siri and Google, too.)
Oh, wow, didn’t iOS 26.4 just come out? Its replacement could come as soon as next week!
Cult of Mac writer D. Griffin Jones — who still uses his Vision Pro on a regular basis — rounded up some of his favorite accessories for the headset.
And we conduct a postmortem for the Vision Pro on the latest episode of the Cult of Mac podcast, following sad rumors of its demise.
— Leander Kahney, EIC.
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A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team
Cult of Mac’s buyback program
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One more thing ...
There’s no such thing as headphones for video.
Today’s poll
Have you set up a Legacy Contact?
Results from last Friday’s poll:
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