Y.O.D.O. vs Google Inactive Account Manager: which is right for you?
Google Inactive Account Manager decides what happens to a Google account after a long period of inactivity. Y.O.D.O. is a private communication support service: trusted Delegates are contacted if you miss a Check-in, and sealed messages reach chosen Recipients only after a passing has been verified.
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The short answer
Google Inactive Account Manager is an account-cleanup tool tied to one Google account. It waits months of inactivity, then shares or deletes data. Y.O.D.O. is an active communication support service: short, frequent Check-ins, Delegates contacted if you go quiet, and sealed messages released to specific Recipients after a passing has been verified.
Y.O.D.O. is best for
- Check-in cadence you control (monthly by default, weekly or fortnightly on higher plans).
- Delegates are contacted if you go quiet, after the buffer you set.
- Sealed messages to specific Recipients, released only after a passing has been verified.
- UK and EEA, ICO registered.
Google Inactive Account Manager is best for
- Free for Google account holders.
- Built into Google, no separate sign-up if you already use Gmail or Drive.
- Can share or delete data in your Google account automatically after inactivity.
Feature by feature
| Feature | Y.O.D.O. | Google Inactive Account Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | Missed Check-in plus the buffer you chose. You stay in control of cadence and timing. | A long period of Google account inactivity (three to eighteen months, set by you). |
| What is shared | Each sealed message goes only to its named Recipient. Delegates do not see your messages. | Data from selected Google services (Gmail, Drive, Photos) shared with up to ten trusted contacts. |
| Verification before release | Passing must be verified before sealed messages are released. A Buffer period applies. | None for the inactivity share. A separate request is needed to close a deceased user's account. |
| Pause if travelling or unwell | Care Pause for 15 or 30 days, requested by a Delegate. | Sign in to your Google account to reset the inactivity timer. |
| Trusted Delegates | Delegates may be contacted if you go quiet. Their role is presence, not access. | Trusted contacts only receive data once the inactivity period has elapsed. |
| Platform reach | Web-based. Works regardless of email provider, phone, or laptop. | Google account only. Does not cover Apple, Outlook, or other accounts. |
| Jurisdiction and regulation | UK and EEA. Companies House 15736034. ICO ZC015883. | US-headquartered. Subject to Google's terms. |
| Cost | Paid subscription with a 14-day cardless trial. | Free for Google account holders. |
Choose Y.O.D.O. if
You want short, frequent Check-ins, you want someone to notice promptly if you go quiet, or you want specific messages to reach specific people after a verified passing.
Choose Google Inactive Account Manager if
You only want a long-inactivity safety net for data in your Google account and you do not need ongoing Check-ins or sealed messages.
Common questions
Operated by Y.O.D.O. Ltd, registered in England and Wales (15736034). ICO registered (ZC015883). Live in the UK and EEA.
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