A Deadman Switch is a service that monitors whether you are still alive or active and, if you stop responding, sends a pre-written email to your Beneficiary containing the Benefactor Key and Encrypted Seed Phrase.
Legacy does not provide a Deadman Switch — it is a separate system you configure yourself. Several options exist. Choose the one you trust most.
Google Inactive Account Manager (Gmail Digital Legacy)
Google allows you to designate what happens to your account and its data after a period of inactivity. You can configure it to send an email to a trusted contact if your account goes inactive for a set period (3–18 months). This requires a Gmail account and trust in Google.
Set up at: myaccount.google.com/inactive-account-manager
Apple Digital Legacy
Apple's Digital Legacy program allows you to designate Legacy Contacts who receive access to your Apple account data after your death. This is certificate-based and tied to your Apple ID. It requires trust in Apple.
Set up at: support.apple.com/en-us/HT212360
Deploy — Self-Hosted Deadman Switch
Deploy is an open-source Deadman Switch you run on your own private server. It sends a check-in email on a schedule; if you fail to respond, it sends the pre-written message to your Beneficiary. Because you control the server, no third party holds your data.
Source code and setup instructions: github.com/ericscalibur/Deploy-Deadman-Switch
Other Services
Various third-party Deadman Switch services exist. Research any service carefully before trusting it with a key — consider how long the service has operated, whether it is open source, and what happens to your data if the service shuts down.
Configuring Legacy and a Deadman Switch correctly requires attention to detail. If you would like hands-on assistance, consulting is available.