A relative's old devices: what to do before you clear the house

Don't throw devices away yet

Put every device to one side before anything goes to the tip or a charity shop. That includes laptops, desktop PCs, tablets, phones, digital cameras, external drives, USB sticks, memory cards and even old CDs with handwritten labels.

What to gather alongside them

• Chargers and cables. Old devices often use chargers that are hard to replace.
• Passwords and PINs. Look for a notebook near the computer, notes in a wallet or diary, or a password book.
• Camera cards. Check inside cameras, card readers and drawers. Cards are small and easy to miss.

Who is allowed to access them

The executor or administrator of the estate is normally the person with the right to deal with the belongings, including devices. If that isn't you, get their agreement first. We ask whoever hands over a device to confirm they have the right to do so.

What can usually be recovered

• Laptops and PCs: usually yes, even if they no longer start or the password is unknown, unless the drive itself was encrypted.
• Cameras, cards and USB sticks: usually yes.
• Phones and tablets: only with the passcode. Modern phones are encrypted, and without the code nobody can get the data out.

Apple and Google both have ways for families to request access to a late relative's account, which may hold backed-up photos. It is worth checking their official help pages.

Before you sell, donate or recycle

Old devices hold bank details, emails and saved passwords. Deleting files or formatting does not remove them. Have the drives securely wiped first, and keep the signed record with the estate paperwork.