Dear friends,
Social media platforms have become central repositories of our digital lives, containing conversations, connections, and memories that often matter deeply to those we leave behind. Yet these platforms were built for the living, not the dead, creating unique challenges for digital legacy planning.
When someone passes away, their social media accounts often become unexpected memorials. Friends and family gather in comment threads, share memories, and process grief through the very platform where they once shared everyday moments. Understanding how to prepare for this transition is essential.
The primary challenges families face include phone number-based authentication requires sim card access, secret chats use end-to-end encryption with no cloud backup, and no official legacy contact or memorial account features. These technical barriers often prevent loved ones from accessing important information, preserving memories, or even closing accounts when desired.
DeathNote helps you navigate these complexities by providing secure credential storage, clear instructions for account access, and guidance on platform-specific policies. You can document your preferences for account management, designate trusted contacts, and ensure your digital legacy reflects your intentions rather than platform defaults.
Beyond technical access, consider what messages or information you'd want shared through these platforms. Many people use social media to announce deaths and share memorial details, making it essential to have clear guidance for those managing your accounts posthumously.
Platform Overview
Primary Use
Private messaging, group chats, channels, encrypted communications
Account Types
Phone-based accounts, premium subscriptions, channel ownership, bot ownership
Data Types
Messages, media files, contacts, secret chats, channel posts, voice messages
Access Challenges
- Phone number-based authentication requires SIM card access
- Secret chats use end-to-end encryption with no cloud backup
- No official legacy contact or memorial account features
- 2FA passcode required for account access
- Self-destructing messages cannot be recovered after deletion
Inheritance Guidance
Step 1: Document Phone Number and Login Details
Store your Telegram phone number, 2FA passcode, and associated email in DeathNote. Include instructions for accessing your SIM card or porting your phone number to enable family login.
Step 2: Export Chat History Regularly
Use Telegram Desktop to export individual chat histories, including media files and documents. Go to chat settings and select 'Export Chat History'. Store exports securely and update them periodically for important conversations.
Step 3: Address Secret Chat Limitations
Understand that secret chats are device-specific and cannot be recovered from cloud storage. For critical encrypted conversations, manually document key information or save screenshots before they're lost.
Step 4: Transfer Channel and Group Ownership
List all Telegram channels and groups you own or admin. Designate successors and document how to transfer admin rights through group settings. Include channel descriptions and posting schedules if relevant.
Step 5: Create Contact Notification Plan
Identify important Telegram contacts who should be notified of your passing. Provide their usernames or phone numbers in your DeathNote along with personalized messages for each person or group.
Related Resources
WhatsApp Final Messages
Messaging app legacy planning for family and friends
Discord Legacy Planning
Gaming and community platform account inheritance
Farewell Message Template
Craft final messages for messaging app contacts
How DeathNote Works
Learn about secure message delivery and credential storage
Signal Account Legacy
Encrypted messaging platform inheritance planning
Frequently Asked Questions
Can family access my Telegram messages after I die?
Family members can access your cloud-stored Telegram messages if they have your phone number, 2FA passcode, and can receive SMS verification codes. However, secret chats are device-specific and encrypted with no cloud backup. Document your credentials in DeathNote and provide physical device access instructions for complete message retrieval.
What happens to my Telegram channels when I die?
Channels you own will continue to exist, but without admin access, no one can post updates or manage subscribers. Pre-designate a successor admin and document channel transfer instructions. If your account becomes inaccessible, the channel may remain frozen unless you've transferred ownership beforehand.
How do I preserve self-destructing Telegram messages?
Self-destructing messages in Telegram are designed to be unrecoverable after their timer expires. If these messages contain important information, manually save them as notes or screenshots before they disappear. There is no technical way to recover them after deletion.
Will my Telegram Premium subscription continue after I die?
Telegram Premium subscriptions will continue billing until canceled. Include instructions in your DeathNote for family members to cancel through your account settings or app store subscriptions. Provide payment method details so they can stop recurring charges.