In AAK Legacy, guarding does not mean receiving. Separating guardians from recipients prevents one person from holding both the ability to verify a process and access its content.
What a guardian does
A guardian is a trusted person who can help confirm that the process should continue. They do not receive the keys to your Legacy, cannot read its documents, and cannot make the decision alone.
The standard configuration uses three guardians and requires two confirmations. A more robust configuration can use five guardians with a threshold of three. A one-person threshold is not allowed.
Guardians can complete their role through a secure website. They do not need an iPhone, an Apple account, or the app.
What a recipient does
A recipient is the person who receives a specific item. They do not automatically receive the rest of your Legacy and, in standard operation, need no notice, registration, or participation during your lifetime.
Why separation matters
Distributed verification reduces the risk of an individual decision. Separate delivery also limits what each participant can know. Trust never has to mean disclosure.