“Tech Brew [reg reqd]: Getting locked out of your Apple Account is the digital equivalent of locking your keys in your car—except your car (iPhone) contains your entire life—including every photo you’ve ever taken. Getting back in isn’t always as quick and easy as calling roadside assistance: Apple’s verification process can often make DMV wait times look speedy…Set up a recovery contact for your Apple Account. For Allen, it “gives me peace of mind knowing the people I love have a backup of something that basically has their whole life on it.”

• Here’s how it works: If you lose access to your account, your recovery contact can generate a code from their Apple device to help you get your account and data back—no waiting in Apple’s verification limbo.
• How to do it: On your iPhone, go to Settings → tap your name at the top → Sign-In & Security → under Recovery Methods select Recovery Contacts → Add Recovery Contact. Choose someone you trust (and who answers their phone).
• The catch: Allen points out that your recovery contact needs to know their own Apple Account info and ideally should also have a recovery contact. “Otherwise, you’re just stuck in a loop,” he warns. “As a result, I’m the recovery contact for a lot of people.”