Frequently Asked Questions
When a loved one passes away and access to their phone, laptop, or computer is unavailable, it often raises many questions. On this page, we answer the most frequently asked questions about gaining access to the devices of the deceased. If your question isn’t listed or the situation is more complex, please feel free to contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below you will find the most frequently asked questions about access to a telephone after death.
How long does an investigation take?
A phone investigation takes at least a week and can take several months. This is because we have to try every possible method to decipher the code with our equipment. Considering that a 6-digit code has a total of 1 million possibilities, and that a phone often locks out if you enter a code more than a certain number of times in a short period, you can understand how long such an investigation can take.
Can I bring and pick up the phone myself?
Our service includes free pickup and return of your phone. Of course, you can always drop off or pick up your phone at our head office in Maastricht, by appointment only.
What and what are the research costs for?
We always charge a €149.00 investigation fee in advance. This fee will be deducted from the total price if we are successful in retrieving the access code.
If we are (still) unable to do so, you can indicate whether we may keep the phone for up to one year so we can continue to try again during that period using any hardware and software updates we receive during that year.
Of course, you can also choose to have the phone returned immediately or at any time if the investigation has not (yet) yielded the desired results.
There is (free) software that can do this too!
There are indeed many (online) companies and obscure programs that promise the same thing and have only positive reviews. You’re certainly welcome to try this first, but… the result is often that the phone is reset to factory settings, and while you’re rid of the code, you also lose all your data! Furthermore, identity theft is a real risk.
What are the chances that you will succeed in finding the phone's code?
During your initial selection request, we’ll assess the capabilities of our equipment for your specific phone.
That’s why the exact make, model, and type are so important to us. If there’s an 80% or higher chance we can retrieve the code without risk of data loss, we’ll let you know.
What are the risks associated with this service?
Making a phone with an unknown code accessible requires highly specialized work and inevitably involves technical risks.
Our techniques can cause the phone to become very hot, posing a risk of malfunctions, data loss, or permanent damage. Sometimes, the phone may even fail due to the number of attempts.
In some cases, the phone may need to be (partially) disassembled, which may void the warranty or prevent its waterproofness.
And while you probably won’t be able to use the phone at this point, Digital Life Legacy cannot be held liable for any damage to the phone or data loss, except in cases of intent or deliberate recklessness. Naturally, we do everything we can to minimize risks and will inform you as clearly as possible in advance.
Do you also carry out repairs?
We only repair phones if necessary to access the code, and only after consultation with and permission from the client. The client is responsible for any costs involved.
Can you also carry out additional (forensic) research?
If questions arise after a death, for example as a result of suicide, we can, together with our partners, provide additional support through forensic investigation and reporting related to the phone.
This can make even more detailed information available.
For these options, please contact us separately.
