We all know the hassle of getting into someone’s online accounts after they’ve passed away or are otherwise unable to access them. It’s a digital headache, and it’s a problem that Proton is trying to solve with its new “Emergency Access” feature.
Proton’s new feature aims to take some of the stress out of those “what-if” scenarios. As of August 28, 2025, paid Proton users — whether on Mail, Pass, Drive, VPN, or Unlimited — can now set up trusted contacts to step in and access their Proton data if needed. You can choose up to five contacts, decide whether they get instant access or after a custom wait period, and revoke or adjust these permissions at any time.
Unlike older services that just waited for you to go inactive, Proton’s feature puts you in control from the start, as per the company’s blog post. You personally choose who can request access to your data if you’re ever unable to, whether due to an accident, severe illness, or death.
How ‘Emergency Access’ works
Source: Proton
Setting up Proton’s Emergency Access is straightforward: log into your account dashboard on the web, navigate to “Recovery,” and select “Add emergency contact.” You’ll then add the email of someone you trust, but they’ll need to have a Proton account, whether free or paid, for it to work.
Once everything is configured, they can request access if something happens. If you don’t respond within your chosen timeframe, the request is automatically approved. Proton says this system keeps its signature end-to-end encryption intact, so your privacy stays protected even while planning for emergencies. Sadly, this feature is limited to paid Proton plans and isn’t available for free users.
Strong security is essential, but end-to-end encryption can make it hard for trusted people to access your data in urgent situations. Proton’s new feature fixes that by creating a secure way for approved contacts to get the info they need during an emergency.
