The Digital Life Checklist Every Adult Should Have

Most adults have more digital accounts than they realize.

Your email, phone, bank app, insurance portal, electric bill, streaming services, and cloud storage may all hold important parts of your life.

A digital life checklist helps you write down the key information someone would need if you were sick, injured, traveling, moving, or gone.

This does not mean sharing every password with everyone.

It means making a safe, clear plan so a trusted person can find what matters when it matters.

What Is a Digital Life Checklist?

A digital life checklist is a secure list of your most important digital accounts, devices, contacts, and access instructions.

It may include:

• Email accounts
• Phone and computer access
• Password manager details
• Banking portals
• Insurance accounts
• Utility accounts
• Subscriptions
• Emergency contacts
• Important digital documents

Think of it as a map.

It tells a trusted person where to look, who to contact, and what accounts exist.

Why Every Adult Needs an Adult Digital Checklist

You do not need to be old, sick, or wealthy to need an adult digital checklist.

You need one if you:

• Pay bills online
• Use a phone lock code
• Have email accounts
• Use online banking
• Store documents in the cloud
• Have insurance policies
• Manage subscriptions
• Live with a partner, roommate, or family member
• Want to make emergencies easier for others

Without a checklist, your loved ones may not know:

• Which bills are due
• Where your money accounts are
• How to access insurance details
• Which subscriptions to cancel
• Who to call in an emergency
• Where important files are stored

A little planning now can save people hours of stress later.

Before You Start: Store This Information Safely

Your important digital information should be protected.

Do not leave passwords on a random sticky note, in an unlocked notes app, or in a shared document with no security.

A safer setup might include:

• A trusted password manager
• A printed copy stored in a locked safe
• A sealed envelope with an attorney or trusted person
• Emergency access settings inside your password manager
• A secure document with limited access

The goal is simple:

Make the information findable by the right person, but not easy for the wrong person to steal.

1. Email Accounts

Email is often the key to everything else.

Many password resets, bank alerts, insurance notices, and bills go through email. If someone cannot access your email, they may not be able to manage your digital life.

For each email account, document:

• Email address
• Provider, such as Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or work email
• Main purpose of the account
• Recovery email
• Recovery phone number
• Where the password is stored
• Whether two-factor authentication is turned on
• Backup codes, if stored safely

Example

Do not forget old email accounts. Even if you rarely use them, they may still be linked to important services.

2. Phone Passcodes and Device Access

Your phone is often the main door to your digital life.

It may hold banking apps, text message codes, email access, photos, contacts, and health information.

Your emergency access checklist should include:

• Phone passcode location
• Computer password location
• Tablet passcode location
• Device backup location
• Apple ID or Google account details
• Two-factor authentication method
• Where backup codes are stored
• Trusted device list, if needed

You do not have to write every passcode directly into the checklist. You can write where the passcode is safely stored.

Devices to Include

• Smartphone
• Laptop
• Desktop computer
• Tablet
• Smartwatch
• Work phone, if allowed
• External hard drives
• Home security devices

Also note if any device belongs to your employer. Work devices may have rules about access.

3. Password Manager Access

A password manager is one of the safest ways to store account logins.

But your loved ones may not know you use one.

Add these details to your digital life checklist:

• Name of password manager
• Master password location
• Emergency access contact
• Two-factor method
• Backup code location
• Instructions for emergency access
• List of key accounts stored there

Do not put your master password in an unprotected document.

Instead, you may write:

"Master password is stored in the sealed envelope in the home safe."

Or:

"Emergency access is set up for my spouse through the password manager."

4. Banking and Money Accounts

Your online banking accounts are some of the most important items on your online account checklist.

List the accounts, but be careful with full account numbers.

For each banking account, document:

• Bank or credit union name
• Type of account
• Website or app name
• Username location
• Password location
• Two-factor method
• Main contact number
• Purpose of account
• Whether bills are paid from it

Include These Money Accounts

• Checking accounts
• Savings accounts
• Credit cards
• Retirement accounts
• Investment accounts
• Mortgage portals
• Loan accounts
• Payment apps
• Tax software accounts
• Business banking, if any

For payment apps, list services such as:

• PayPal
• Venmo
• Cash App
• Zelle
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay

Also note if any accounts have automatic transfers or scheduled payments.

5. Insurance Accounts

Insurance details are easy to forget until someone needs them.

Your checklist should include both online portals and policy contacts.

Document:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Car insurance
• Homeowners insurance
• Renters insurance
• Disability insurance
• Long-term care insurance
• Pet insurance, if any

For each insurance account, include:

• Company name
• Policy type
• Online portal login location
• Policy number location
• Agent or support contact
• Premium payment method
• Renewal date
• Beneficiary information location, if relevant

Do not place sensitive policy numbers in an unsecured file. It is enough to say where the documents are stored.

6. Utilities and Home Accounts

Utilities are easy to overlook.

But if someone needs to manage your home, move your service, or pay bills, they need to know what accounts exist.

Add these to your adult digital checklist:

• Electric
• Gas
• Water
• Trash
• Internet
• Cell phone
• Landline, if any
• Home security
• Rent payment portal
• Mortgage payment portal
• HOA portal
• Property tax portal

For each one, write down:

• Provider name
• Website
• Username location
• Password location
• Account holder name
• Payment method
• Due date
• Customer service phone number
• Whether autopay is turned on

Example

7. Subscriptions and Memberships

Subscriptions can quietly drain money if no one knows they exist.

List both paid and free accounts that matter.

Include:

• Streaming services
• Music apps
• Cloud storage
• News sites
• Fitness apps
• Meal delivery
• Shopping memberships
• Software subscriptions
• Website hosting
• Domain names
• Online courses
• Gaming accounts
• Professional memberships

For each subscription, note:

• Service name
• Cost
• Billing cycle
• Payment method
• Renewal date
• Cancelation instructions
• Login location

This part of your digital life checklist is also useful for your own budget.

You may find services you no longer need.

8. Cloud Storage and Important Files

Many adults store key files online.

That may include tax records, photos, legal documents, business files, and medical forms.

Document where your files live.

Include:

• Google Drive
• iCloud
• Dropbox
• OneDrive
• External hard drives
• Photo storage apps
• Tax software
• Scanned document folders

Write down where to find:

• Tax returns
• Birth certificates
• Marriage records
• Divorce papers
• Estate documents
• Power of attorney forms
• Medical directives
• Car titles
• Home documents
• Rental agreements
• Business records

You do not need to put every file in the checklist.

Just explain where the important folders are.

9. Emergency Contacts

Your emergency contacts should be easy to find.

This section helps someone know who to call and why.

Include:

• Spouse or partner
• Parents
• Adult children
• Siblings
• Close friends
• Attorney
• Financial advisor
• Insurance agent
• Doctor
• Employer contact
• Landlord
• Pet caregiver
• Neighbor
• Executor or trustee, if any

For each contact, include:

• Full name
• Relationship
• Phone number
• Email address
• What they should be contacted about

Example

10. Medical and Health Portals

Many health records now live online.

Add your main health portals to your online account checklist.

Include:

• Primary care portal
• Specialist portals
• Pharmacy account
• Health insurance portal
• Dental portal
• Vision portal
• Prescription delivery accounts
• Medical payment accounts

For each, note:

• Portal name
• Provider name
• Login location
• Main doctor or office
• Pharmacy name
• Insurance used
• Emergency medical contact

You may also list where to find:

• Medication list
• Allergies
• Medical history
• Advance directive
• Health care proxy
• Power of attorney documents

11. Social Media and Online Profiles

Social media may not seem urgent, but it can matter during an emergency.

Document your main accounts.

Include:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• X
• TikTok
• YouTube
• Pinterest
• Reddit
• Personal website
• Blog
• Business profiles

For each account, write:

• Platform name
• Username
• Login location
• Purpose of account
• What should happen to it in an emergency

Some people want accounts deleted. Others want them memorialized or saved.

Write your preference clearly.

12. Work and Business Accounts

If you own a business or do freelance work, this section is very important.

Include:

• Business email
• Website hosting
• Domain registrar
• Payment processors
• Invoicing software
• Client portals
• Accounting software
• Payroll software
• Online stores
• Social media business pages
• Advertising accounts

Also document:

• Key clients
• Business bank accounts
• Tax contacts
• Business insurance
• Business licenses
• Important deadlines

If you have a job, be careful. Employer systems may have privacy and security rules. Do not give personal contacts access to work accounts unless it is allowed.

13. What Not to Put in an Unprotected Checklist

A digital life checklist should be useful, not risky.

Avoid placing these in an unsecured file:

• Full passwords
• Full Social Security number
• Full bank account numbers
• Full credit card numbers
• Security question answers
• Backup codes
• Copies of IDs
• Private medical records

Instead, write where these items are safely stored.

For example:

"Backup codes are printed and stored in the locked file box."

Or:

"Important legal documents are in the blue folder in the home safe."

Simple Digital Life Checklist Template

Use this as a starter list.

Email

• Main personal email
• Backup email
• Work email
• Old email accounts
• Recovery email and phone number

Devices

• Phone passcode location
• Computer password location
• Tablet passcode location
• Apple ID or Google account
• Backup location

Password Manager

• Password manager name
• Master password location
• Emergency access contact
• Two-factor method
• Backup code location

Banking

• Checking account
• Savings account
• Credit cards
• Mortgage
• Loans
• Retirement accounts
• Investment accounts
• Payment apps

Insurance

• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• Auto
• Home or renters
• Disability
• Pet insurance

Utilities

• Electric
• Gas
• Water
• Trash
• Internet
• Phone
• Home security
• Rent or mortgage portal
• HOA portal

Subscriptions

• Streaming
• Music
• Cloud storage
• News
• Fitness
• Shopping memberships
• Software
• Apps
• Website hosting
• Domain names

Important Files

• Tax returns
• Estate documents
• Medical directives
• Insurance policies
• Property records
• Car title
• Rental agreement
• Business records

Emergency Contacts

• Family
• Friends
• Doctor
• Attorney
• Financial advisor
• Insurance agent
• Employer contact
• Pet caregiver
• Neighbor

How Often Should You Update Your Digital Life Checklist?

Review your checklist at least twice a year.

Also update it after major changes, such as:

• Moving
• Getting married
• Getting divorced
• Having a child
• Changing jobs
• Opening a new bank account
• Buying a home
• Starting a business
• Changing insurance
• Getting a new phone
• Switching password managers

A checklist only works if it stays current.

Set a calendar reminder every six months.

A Simple Way to Start Today

You do not have to finish everything at once.

Start with the most important items:

1. Main email account

2. Phone passcode instructions

3. Password manager access

4. Bank accounts

5. Insurance portals

6. Utility accounts

7. Emergency contacts

That is enough to make a real difference.

Then add the rest over time.

FAQ

What is a digital life checklist?

A digital life checklist is a secure record of your important digital information. It lists accounts, devices, bills, passwords, documents, and emergency contacts so a trusted person can help if needed.

Why do adults need an online account checklist?

Adults often manage banking, bills, insurance, health records, and subscriptions online. An online account checklist helps prevent missed payments, lost access, and confusion during an emergency.

Should I write down my passwords?

It is safer to use a password manager. If you write down passwords, store them in a locked place. Do not keep passwords in an unsecured document, email, or notes app.

What should be on an emergency access checklist?

An emergency access checklist should include phone access, email accounts, password manager instructions, bank portals, insurance accounts, utility accounts, medical portals, and emergency contacts.

Who should have access to my digital life checklist?

Choose someone you fully trust. This may be a spouse, adult child, sibling, close friend, attorney, or executor. You can also use emergency access tools inside a password manager.

How often should I update my adult digital checklist?

Update your checklist every six months. Also update it after big life changes, new accounts, new devices, new insurance, or changes to your banking.

Where should I keep important digital information?

Keep important digital information in a secure place. Good options include a password manager, locked safe, sealed envelope, secure legal file, or trusted attorney's office.

Key Takeaways

• A digital life checklist helps trusted people manage your accounts in an emergency.
• Start with email, phone access, password manager details, banking, insurance, utilities, and emergency contacts.
• Do not store sensitive details in an unsecured file.
• Use a password manager when possible.
• Update your checklist at least twice a year.
• Keep the checklist simple, clear, and easy to find by the right person.

Final Checklist

Before you finish, make sure your checklist includes:

• Main email accounts
• Phone and computer access instructions
• Password manager access plan
• Banking portals
• Credit card accounts
• Insurance accounts
• Utility providers
• Subscriptions and memberships
• Cloud storage and important files
• Medical portals
• Emergency contacts
• Business accounts, if needed
• Storage location for legal documents
• Instructions for what to do in an emergency
• Date last updated