This is what 'happens to your phone when you die'

Have you ever wondered what happens to your phone after you die?

Probably not. But you're curious about it now, aren't you?

Death is a bit of a taboo subject to some people, but as we know, the world doesn't stop spinning when our time comes.

As people, we like to accumulate things throughout our lifetime that we usually seek to pass on to our family.

Do you worry about people looking through your phone when you're not around? Credit: Tim Robberts/Getty

But it seems a bit pointless to leave something like your iPhone to your family... so what happens to it?

Imagine the horror of loved ones stumbling upon your most intimate digital footprints, such as your photos and search history...

The revelation came courtesy of phone reseller SellCell, whose blog shed light on the fate of digital devices in the event of death.

"Well, that, along with the rest of their personal effects, generally form part of the estate of the deceased," the blog explained. "Much like with digital data, it is important to plan ahead, and decide what you want to happen to your phone and your digital life when you pass away."

Your phone will go to your next of kin, as is the same with most items. Credit: Xavier Lorenzo/Getty

In the wake of this revelation, Redditors flooded the morbid questions thread with their own candid desires regarding the fate of their devices.

One person said: "I have a pact with a buddy of mine that if I die while we are at work to take my phone and destroy it."

Others approached the matter by saying: "And with this question being asked, my will shall have a new statement added to it: take my phone and throw it in an active volcano."

Among the jokes were genuine thoughts about the matter.

Time to start cleaning up your phone! Credit: Abdullah Durmaz/Getty

"Well, I'm guessing it depends on the way you die," one person said. "If by natural causes, it'll be the same as with any other property of the dead person. If by suicide, then it'll probably be looked through to find any reason as to why or something like that."

For many, the fate of their digital relics is a matter of profound importance. "As long as mine is buried with me or donated to research into the mind of pop-music obsessed people, then I'm happy," quipped one individual.

Maybe it's a good idea to clean up your phone a bit just in case the worst happens...

Featured image credit: Tim Robberts/Getty