Here's a checklist for setting up your child's school iPad (and their iPhone!)

Yesterday, I spent a couple of hours with a friend, helping her set up school iPads for two of her children.

There is such a long list of things to do when setting up your child's school iPad, and we both marvelled at how the average parent would be able to complete this list of setup tasks without assistance!.

I am waiting on the delivery of my son's school iPad, and will be going through the same list of tasks when it arrives.  

So I figured it would be worth writing down the list, for myself and for others who need to do the same thing over these next few weeks.  (Please note that this is intended as a checklist, and does not include the 'how to' of every step.  iTandCoffee can help with this if anyone gets stuck!)

Don't forget to do the same setup on their iPhone too (if they are lucky enough to have one).

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School iPad Setup Checklist (also applies to your child's iPhone)

First, get the iPad up to the latest iOS

• The current version of iOS on the iPad and iPhone is iOS 9.2.  
• Check in Settings -> General -> About to see what Version the device is currently running.
• If it is not up to 9.2, go to Settings -> General -> Software Update and download and install the latest version.

Does your child have their own Apple ID:

• ​Each child MUST have their own Apple ID for iCloud - DO NOT set them up with your 'family' Apple ID, or any other 'shared' Apple iD.  This will create a major mess.
• If child does not already have an Apple ID and is under 13: Go to Family on parent's iPad or iPhone - Settings -> iCloud -> Family - and create a child's Apple ID
• If your child does not already have an Apple ID and is 13 or over: The child can create their own Apple ID from Settings -> iCloud.  (Or you can create this Apple ID for them from Family Sharing, by creating child's Apple ID).
• If your child already has an Apple ID of their own, there is no need to set up a new one.  They can continue using the existing Apple ID.

Set up Family Sharing and link the child Apple ID's

• Link each child's Apple ID to a parent's iCloud ID through iCloud -> Family 
• Put the parent in charge of authorising purchases 
• Turn on tracking of their devices, just in case they get lost.
• Make sure Mum has Find my iPhone set up so that she can locate 'mislaid' iPads (and iPhones)

Set up iCloud on each device

• Sign in to iCloud on each of the kids' iPads using the child's Apple ID (if they are not already signed in).
• Turn on iCloud Drive so that the kids' school work would saved to iCloud, and would be available at icloud.com if they leave their iPad at school!  (Note.  Each device they use will need to have the same settings turned on.)
• Don't turn on iCloud Photo Library and iCloud Keychain unless you really understand these features (won't go into why here, but I generally recommend leaving these off for the kids.)

Sign in to iTunes and App Store on the child's device

• For iTunes and App Store, sign in using the child's Apple ID.
• Make sure that iTunes password and parental authorisation is required for every iTunes/App download and that In App Purchases is disabled.

Set up security and privacy

• Set up a strong Passcode on each device (preferably 6-digit) and, in the case of newer models, also set up fingerprints.  Consider setting up parent fingerprint as well.
• Make sure the parent knows each of the passcodes, in case of need to access the devices.
• In Privacy settings, make sure that Location Services is turned on for Find My iPhone and essential apps and features only - turned if off for Camera, so that the kids' photos would not include their location.
• Check all other Privacy settings to ensure child's privacy is protected

Do you want them messaging and video chatting?

• Decide on whether you want child to have access to iMessage and Facetime on these school-use devices.
• I personally don't want my early secondary child using the iPads for messaging/video chatting instead of studying
• Turn off iMessage and Facetime from Settings (if this is your choice).

Set up the Parental Controls

• Go to Restrictions area in Settings->General and set up Parental Controls for the device.  
• A couple of essential restrictions for younger kids are to 'Limit Adult Content' for websites and ensure only age-appropriate media and apps  is allowed.  ('Limit Adult Content' also ensures they can't clear their web browsing history, so you can do spot checks if needed.)
• Restrict 'explicit' language
• Lock down all Privacy and Account settings once they have been established, to prevent changes (deliberate or inadvertent) by the kids. (This stops them turning on iMessage, adding Facebook, adding email accounts, allowing apps to use their location, etc.
• Make sure that the 'Restrictions passcode' set by the parent is a code that the kids will never guess (and that Mum/Dad won't forget!)

Safely store all those passwords

• Make sure all of the ids and passwords for the kids devices are known by the parent/s and stored in a 'password safe' app on parent's iPhone
  
• I recommend using the iOS app 1Password for this - free from the App Store
  
• Get the kids to install this app as well, for storing all the passwords they generate over time.

Stop them destroying their hearing!

• Limit volume on i-Devices when the child uses earphones
• This is done by setting the maximum volume in Settings -> Music
• Then go to Restrictions and 'prevent changes' to music volume.

Ensure each device backs up to iCloud

• It is essential to ensure that the child's device is backed up
• The easiest way to ensure this occurs on a regular basis is to back up to iCloud
• Turn on iCloud Backup, and make sure they will enough storage in their iCloud for all their school work.
• This may mean purchasing additional storage - cost is $1.49 per month for 50GB of storage.

Who can be their friend in Game Centre?

• If you allow games on their school iPads, decide if you want them playing games with friends via Game Centre.
  
• In Restrictions, decide whether to restrict their ability to play 'multiplayer games' and add friends

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Need more help?  Come along to our workshop on Jan 22nd!

iTandCoffee will be holding a iPad Setup Workshop on Friday January 22nd, from 9:30am-12pm, for any parents who would like assistance with getting their kids' devices ready for the new school year.  

GET IN EARLY - the first 5 people to book will pay the discounted price of $30 per person (instead of $50).

There will be a presentation that goes through the 'how to' for each of the above areas, and then assistance will be available for those who need help with the setup.

Numbers will be strictly limited, so book early to avoid missing out.

Book Now