Should I put my crypto recovery phrase in my will?

No. Never put a recovery phrase, private key or password in your will or plan. Record only where the secure instructions are kept.

What happens to my social media accounts?

Each platform has its own rules. You can record your preference, such as closing or memorialising accounts, and your executor can follow it where the platform allows.

Property, money and business

Digital assets and online accounts

Record what digital assets and accounts you have and where the access instructions are kept, but never write passwords, PINs or recovery phrases in your plan or your will.

In 30 seconds

What counts

Cryptocurrency, online stores, domain names, cloud storage, photos and social media accounts.

List them

Record what you have so your executor knows where to look.

Never share secrets

Don't put passwords, PINs, private keys or recovery phrases in your plan or will.

Say where instructions are

Keep access instructions somewhere secure, and record only where they are.

Choose what happens

For social media, you can say whether you'd like accounts closed or memorialised where possible.

Card 1 / 5

Digital assets include cryptocurrency, online businesses, domain names, cloud files and social media accounts. Some have real value. Your executor needs to know they exist and where to find the access instructions you keep securely.

Why digital assets get lost

Unlike a bank account, many digital assets have no statement arriving in the post. If nobody knows they exist, or nobody can access them, they may be lost for good. This is especially true of cryptocurrency.

Recording them safely

A will becomes a public document after probate, so it is not the place for secrets. Instead:

List each asset or account in your plan
Keep access instructions in a secure place, such as a sealed envelope or a password manager with emergency access
Record only where those instructions are kept

Key points

List your digital assets so they aren't lost.
Never record passwords or recovery phrases.
Say where the secure access instructions are kept.

Common mistakes

Writing passwords in a will.
Not telling anyone that cryptocurrency exists.

Questions people ask

Should I put my crypto recovery phrase in my will?: No. Never put a recovery phrase, private key or password in your will or plan. Record only where the secure instructions are kept.
What happens to my social media accounts?: Each platform has its own rules. You can record your preference, such as closing or memorialising accounts, and your executor can follow it where the platform allows.

Ready to make your will?

Answer plain-English questions at your own pace. A qualified lawyer reviews your will before you sign it.

Start my estate plan

This guide is general information, not legal advice about your circumstances. A qualified lawyer reviews your will before you sign it.

Last updated 24 September 2026.