Set up Google Inactive Account Manager
Choose what Google should do if you stop using your account for a period you set. You can notify people you trust and share selected data. Review the waiting period and sharing choices before saving.
- 5 steps
- Official sources
- Checked October 15, 2026
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Open Inactive Account Manager
Sign in to your own Google Account and open Inactive Account Manager. Keep Google's help page nearby. Complete the setup in Google, rather than entering account details into this guide.
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Choose when your plan starts
Review the inactivity period offered in your account. Google acts after that period, rather than simply because you are ill. Check that the waiting period fits the purpose you have in mind.
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Choose people and data
Choose whom to notify and which data each person may receive. You can select up to ten people. Share only the data you want each person to have.
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Review the message and choices
Read the message Google will send. Review every data category and any account deletion choice shown during setup. Ask Google for help if a choice is unclear before you save it.
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Tell your family about the plan
Tell the people you chose which email address to watch and where your account list is kept. Do not share your password. Review the settings when your contacts or wishes change.
Good to know
Will Google notify them during setup?
Google says contacts receive notification after the chosen period of inactivity. Tell them yourself that you have included them, so a later message makes sense.
Can I change my mind?
Yes. Google lets you edit your choices or turn off the plan from Inactive Account Manager. Review the actual settings rather than relying on an old printed copy.
Does this replace a plan for my phone?
No. This setup covers the Google Account data you select. Check your phone, other accounts and password manager separately.
Can I share different data with each person?
Yes. Google's settings let you choose different data for different people. Review each person's selection before saving so you share only what you intend.
What we checked
| Fact | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Inactive Account Manager lets you choose up to ten people to receive selected account data. | Oct 15, 2026 | |
| Google triggers your plan only after your account has been inactive for the period you choose. | Oct 15, 2026 | |
| You can change your choices or turn off your plan from Inactive Account Manager. | Oct 15, 2026 |
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Something wrong here? Tell us.
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