My son recently passed away on April 26, 2021. I am needing to get into his phone for pictures. Is there any way to do this without erasing everything? I don’t know if it has been backed up, I am assuming not. Is there a way I can get the phone unlocked with a copy of his death certificate?
iPhone 8 Plus
Perhaps this will help. It’s meant to supplement, not contradict, all the information provided above, which I think is correct.
How to request access to a deceased family member's Apple accounts - Apple Support
Perhaps this will help. It’s meant to supplement, not contradict, all the information provided above, which I think is correct.
How to request access to a deceased family member's Apple accounts - Apple Support
There is no way to get past the passcode even with a death certificate.
You can get access to his iCloud account with the proper documentation, but that will not get you past the Lock Screen passcode on the phone.
My condolences.
Did your son happen to have a Mac computer that you have access to? If so, you may have access to the photos from the MacOS application assuming your son also set it up with his iCloud account which would be the normal thing to do.
Best way is to try iCloud from a computer if you know and have the authority to your sadly departed passwords . The images should be there.
Getting into deceased persons phone
