iPad Single iPad for kid and adult to share?

[hafruit]

I’m considering getting an iPad for my 4 year old to use occasionally for educational apps and watching downloaded tv/movies when travelling. But I was also hoping to be able to use the same iPad for my own uses like I would use my iPhone. But obviously I wouldn’t want to give my child free run of all my apps and browsing etc.

So is this possible on an iPad? To basically have 2 or 3 separate users? Because when searching it appears you can’t have multiple users?

Sorry if this is obvious…I’ve had iPhones for years but never an iPad.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The iPad can only have one user account signed in.

 

[rui no onna]

You can restrict the iPad to a single app via guided mode when you give it to the kid but that's probably gonna be a PITA to setup every time.

 

[motulist]

Get a used ipad from like 10 years ago for for like 5 bucks to have as a device just for the kid

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Guided Access limits what the kid can do with "your" iPad.

I would like to see multi-user iPadOS but it hasn't happened yet 😬

 

[casperes1996]

iPad is unfortunately a single user device. You can do things to make this kinda possible with parental control guided access and focus modes but it is a single user system.

And that’s really unfortunate. The system even already has some multi user support just only when set up as a school classroom device

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[hafruit]

Shame I guess Apple wants people to buy multiple iPads per family. I already use Guided Access when I let my kid use my phone occasionally so that’s probably the best option at this age.

I’m not against buying an old second hand one but would need it to be able to run recent learning apps which may no longer be supported?

 

[Digitalguy]

Shame I guess Apple wants people to buy multiple iPads per family. I already use Guided Access when I let my kid use my phone occasionally so that’s probably the best option at this age.

I’m not against buying an old second hand one but would need it to be able to run recent learning apps which may no longer be supported?

The iPad 8 is the oldest supported device (it's its last supported OS), so everything will run on it. You should find it for around $100 used, less if you are patient.

 

[joeblow7777]

Get a used ipad from like 10 years ago for for like 5 bucks to have as a device just for the kid

I agree. It's not like a 4 year old is going to be picky. Get the cheapest iPad you can that still functions. I wouldn't trust a 4 year old not to totally destroy any device you give them, so why give them something expensive or that you need yourself?

 

[ignatius345]

I’m considering getting an iPad for my 4 year old to use occasionally for educational apps and watching downloaded tv/movies when travelling. But I was also hoping to be able to use the same iPad for my own uses like I would use my iPhone. But obviously I wouldn’t want to give my child free run of all my apps and browsing etc.

So is this possible on an iPad? To basically have 2 or 3 separate users? Because when searching it appears you can’t have multiple users?

Sorry if this is obvious…I’ve had iPhones for years but never an iPad.

Long-tap on any app (Messages, Mail, anything you need to keep private) and set it to require authentication to open. You'll have to unlock the iPad for the kid, which is not a bad thing anyway, and they'll be unable to open your protected apps.

I would also put it out there that you could get the kid a second-hand iPad for their own use. My 6 y/o has an iPad Mini 5 which I got off eBay pretty cheaply and it works perfectly for her to play games and take pictures. I have Parental Controls pretty locked down so she can't accidentally charge in-app purchases or download any apps we don't approve. She also can't send/receive messages from anyone unless we approve that as well.

 

[Digitalguy]

I don't have children yet but if I did, assuming my wife was ok with giving them anything with a screen, I would use a thick case and a glass screen protector

 

[Abazigal]

I am not sure if kids should be having access to screens that young, to be honest. Maybe wait till they are older, but definitely not before 6, IMO.

But to your question, focus mode may be one way to limit the apps your child can access to one page, though it’s far from foolproof, since it won’t actually stop them from launching other apps.

Other than that, maybe just get a cheap android tablet that’s good enough for YouTube?