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🔐 Two-Factor Auth (2FA)

What Happens to Your 1Password Account When You Die

CriticalPassword ManagerEmergency Kit Required
This is the key to all other accounts. Without the master password or emergency access, the family may be permanently locked out of everything.

Quick Facts

Urgency

Critical — master key to all accounts

Emergency Access

Yes — must be set up in advance

Emergency Kit

Printed document with Secret Key

Support

Will work with estate representatives

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Check if Emergency Access is set up

In 1Password, go to Settings > Emergency Access. If a trusted person was granted access, they can request entry after a waiting period. This is the easiest path.

2

Find the Emergency Kit

The Emergency Kit is a printed PDF that contains the Secret Key, sign-in address, and account email. Check physical safes, filing cabinets, and safety deposit boxes.

3

Locate the master password

The master password should be stored in a physical location (safe, sealed envelope, attorney's office). Without it, the vault cannot be unlocked even with the Emergency Kit.

4

Contact 1Password support with death certificate

If Emergency Access and Emergency Kit are unavailable, contact 1Password support with a death certificate. They have limited ability to help but may assist with account-level access.

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Document Now Checklist

  • Emergency Access set up (yes/no)
  • Emergency Kit location (physical)
  • Master password location (physical only — NEVER digital)
  • Recovery key location
  • Family/team plan (yes/no)

Last verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with 1Password. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Related Guides

🔐

What is 2FA?

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is the single biggest barrier families face when accessing accounts after death. If 2FA is enabled on an account and nobody has the authenticator device or backup codes, the account may be permanently inaccessible.

Google Authenticator

Open Google Authenticator → tap your profile icon → turn on sync. This backs up your 2FA codes to your Google account so they survive phone loss.

Authy

Settings → Devices → Allow multi-device. This lets you add Authy to multiple phones or tablets. If multi-device is off and the phone is lost, recovery is extremely difficult.

Browse all 1,800+ platform guidesDigital Readiness ScoreWhat is 2FA? guideGoogle Authenticator guide

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