iPad Using iPads for single Apps (full time)

[Tesla1856]

Does anyone else use (usually older) iPads for a single app full time? If so, I was wondering if anyone had some tips/tricks for configuration.

My Examples:
iPad-3 running Amcrest Surveillance Camera View-Pro for iPad (with PoE cameras)
iPad-5 (in iPort LaunchPort Dock) running Harmony Remote

Other Apps might be like Roomie/Simple-Control, Ring, Eufy Security, Home Automation dash-boards, etc.

The problem/question is: Do we leave the iPad logged-into iCloud?
Obvious Cons are Notifications popping-up and random-users potentially have access to our private stuff.

Sure, you can use Guided-Mode, but I don't think even that stops the Notifications.

So, we use Personal iCloud Accounts around here, but we share an Apple-ID for iTunes/App-Store purchases. It's how we did "Family Sharing" before Apple made a provision for it. During initial setup you can still do that ... so I do (because, well ... it works). Because of this, looks like I might be able to now Sign-Out of iCloud (remove access to it) but I can still use the App-Store and maybe even update the few Apps that I have installed on this particular iDevice. I'm going to try it soon.

So, let's say you DON'T do that. You only use the one Apple-ID for everything (App-Store purchases and iCloud).
I think this means that removing your Apple-ID isn't even a possibility.
Usually, all iCloud options are enabled on my daily-driver iDevices (except iMessage ... I would rather they not be in the cloud. I want those only on my iPhone).
So, on this one iPad ... could you just turn-off iCloud options for things like Contacts, Notes, Reminders ... and then never create any local content?
I think another scenario like this is if the main App needs to use some iCloud-Drive storage or some-other iCloud resource.

Anyway, just wondering how yall handle this and hoping we could have some discussions on it.

 

[rui no onna]

Create a separate family iCloud account and add that to family sharing.

I don't think your password is even needed to enable iCloud options so it's better if that's not easily accessible on the shared iPads to begin with.

 

[Tesla1856]

Ok, so on this one:
iPad-3 running Amcrest Surveillance Camera View-Pro for iPad (with PoE cameras)

After
a. Signing-Out of iCloud (and deleting it's local data)
b. Turning off iMessage in Settings > Messages

Amcrest View-Pro is still running fine. Additionally, I'm not really seeing any personal data being found on the iPad (if you escape back to the HomeScreen and look around). Remember, this is with a separate Apple-ID for iTunes/App-Store and Amcrest View Pro doesn't seem to need any iCloud resources to function properly.

I'm not sure if this one App will update itself from the App-Store, but they would have to release an update to find-out. The App hasn't been updated in many years (but it works fine), and this iPad-3 is maxed-out and iOS v9.3.6 (so no changes expected there either).

So, that answers that question for now. I'll let yall know if something eventually breaks on this config (but it looks fine).

Unless I'm missing something, it looks like anyone that needs access to a few "non iCloud-Resource dependent" free Apps could just setup an alternate Apple-ID to hold them, and do it this way also.

 

[Tesla1856]

Create a separate family iCloud account and add that to family sharing.

Good idea. Sounds similar to my first solution attempt. I say that because that Apple-ID that I used for iTunes/App-Store purchases IS THE ONE WE NORMALLY USE as a Family-Shared Apple-ID.

I always enter that one there, and then each family-member has their own personal one (so their iCloud stuff will be unique and private to them). Like I mentioned, it's the old-school way to do family-sharing.

I've always thought of it more like an account to buy stuff with (even free items). Also a bucket to hold and share those purchases (with the whole family).

But you are saying that it could also be used as an iCloud account? During initial OoB setup, I could just use that one (and NOT say I have two separate ones to enter ... like I usually do)?

 

[rui no onna]

Good idea. Sounds similar to my first solution attempt. I say that because that Apple-ID that I used for iTunes/App-Store purchases IS THE ONE WE NORMALLY USE as a Family-Shared Apple-ID.

<snip>

But you are saying that it could also be used as an iCloud account? During initial OoB setup, I could just use that one (and NOT say I have two separate ones to enter ... like I usually do)?

Yes, you can.

 

[Tesla1856]

Yes, you can.

Interesting.

So, this might sound a little extreme (but it needs to be erased anyway). What if I do this:

Completely erase my old iPad-5, and setup as new.
When it asks about Apple-ID/iCloud, I just use the one ... the shared-family Apple-ID we are now talking about.

With all the iCloud options on (like normal) ... if I see any stray Contacts, Notes, Reminders ... I can safely delete them (as they don't actually belong to me or her personally).

Not sure about stray Photos, but I'm thinking those also.

Turn-off iMessage.

Should be very clean/generic at this point (but still have the ability to use iCloud-resources if any App needs it).

Just install these (free) Apps:
Harmony Remote
Eufy Security (DoorBell Cam)
- This iPad-5 is the one on the iPort and is a little newer and more capable. It can still go all the way to iOS-16.

Questions:
a. Do you think this is a good idea and it will work?
b. Can I do all this without (in any way) affecting our two "real" personal iCloud accounts?
c. Can I do all this without (in any way) affecting Family Sharing in our other iDevices ? (Both setup my old-school way, or even when using the newer Apple provisioned way of Family-Sharing).

Really appreciate your help. I'm just leery of messing with Apple-IDs and iCloud Accounts. Over the years, I found what works for us, and tend not to stray much.

 

[darngooddesign]

...Sure, you can use Guided-Mode, but I don't think even that stops the Notifications.

Can't you just turn off notifications?

 

[Tesla1856]

Can't you just turn off notifications?

You could. You can do this-and-that if looking for "easy".

But then, access to all your private/confidential data is still available. These iPads are demoted and forever dedicated to these simple (yet important) functions. They are in common areas (and could easy "walk off"). I'm not so much worried about the hardware ... it's my data and "keys" that I like to protect. I tend to keep pretty close tabs on my daily-driver iDevices. I really use iCloud for everything (except iMessage).

I think of these as more of "expendable crew-members" or appliances.

This thread is more about looking for a better way (not a quick or easy way).

 

[darngooddesign]

You could. You can do this-and-that if looking for "easy".

But then, access to all your private/confidential data is still available. These iPads are demoted and forever dedicated to these simple (yet important) functions. They are in common areas (and could easy "walk off"). I'm not so much worried about the hardware ... it's my data and "keys" that I like to protect. I tend to keep pretty close tabs on my daily-driver iDevices. I really use iCloud for everything (except iMessage).

I think of these as more of "expendable crew-members" or appliances.

This thread is more about looking for a better way (not a quick or easy way).

What about creating a new Apple ID for those iPads.

 

[Tesla1856]

What about creating a new Apple ID for those iPads.

Right. That's kinda the conclusion I came to (that I figured should work for this purpose).

Then I read that @rui no onna suggested basically the same thing. Thing is, I already have a third one that I only use to hold iTunes/App-Store purchases for the two of us (old school way of doing "Family Sharing"). I think I can just use that one, but I'm kinda still waiting for a final confirmation post back from @rui no onna to confirm before I try it.

 

[rui no onna]

Interesting.

So, this might sound a little extreme (but it needs to be erased anyway). What if I do this:

Completely erase my old iPad-5, and setup as new.
When it asks about Apple-ID/iCloud, I just use the one ... the shared-family Apple-ID we are now talking about.

With all the iCloud options on (like normal) ... if I see any stray Contacts, Notes, Reminders ... I can safely delete them (as they don't actually belong to me or her personally).

Not sure about stray Photos, but I'm thinking those also.

Turn-off iMessage.

Should be very clean/generic at this point (but still have the ability to use iCloud-resources if any App needs it).

Just install these (free) Apps:
Harmony Remote
Eufy Security (DoorBell Cam)
- This iPad-5 is the one on the iPort and is a little newer and more capable. It can still go all the way to iOS-16.

Questions:
a. Do you think this is a good idea and it will work?
b. Can I do all this without (in any way) affecting our two "real" personal iCloud accounts?
c. Can I do all this without (in any way) affecting Family Sharing in our other iDevices ? (Both setup my old-school way, or even when using the newer Apple provisioned way of Family-Sharing).

Really appreciate your help. I'm just leery of messing with Apple-IDs and iCloud Accounts. Over the years, I found what works for us, and tend not to stray much.

Yup, it will work. Chances are if it’s only used for iTunes/App Store, there wouldn’t be any data anyway.

 

[Tesla1856]

Yup, it will work. Chances are if it’s only used for iTunes/App Store, there wouldn’t be any data anyway.

Cool. I'm gonna try it then.

It's a very old Account (our first ... from iPhone-3 days). I've never tried it, but I suppose I could just log-into it from icloud.com. Any stray data revealed there should be fine to delete.