Does the iPad Support Multiple Users?

Directly out of the box, the iPad has no easy way to switch between multiple users with different settings, configurations, and apps. The iPad is a single-user device, so the central login is persistent.

The single-user focus applies to the App Store and extends to apps like Safari, which keeps track of bookmarks and web history for all users rather than a specific user.

Is it Possible to Set up an iPad for Sharing?

Unless you have an iPad designed for educational or business use, you can't set up a shared iPad in the traditional sense. While it is possible to log in and out of multiple Apple IDs on the same iPad, this solution won't work like it does when creating different user profiles on a Mac or PC.

For example, a new Apple ID won't change the layout of the iPad. Plus, downloading apps from multiple Apple IDs may cause some confusion when it comes time to upgrade to a new device.

How to Set Up Your iPad for Multiple Users

There are some tricks you can use to make sharing an iPad a little easier.

Set Up Folders on Your iPad

One easy way to organize apps for multiple users is to create a folder on the first page of the Home Screen for each person. Sorting apps like this makes it easier to find and use specific apps and helps to declutter the rest of the iPad.

Use Spotlight Wisely

Get used to using Spotlight to launch apps. Having multiple users on the same device means the iPad is more likely to fill with apps, which may make it harder to find certain ones. Searching with Spotlight may be the easiest way to launch apps, no matter how many people use the iPad.

Use Separate Email Apps and Web Browsers

The standard Mail app is useful for managing multiple email accounts, but the default view pulls all email messages into a unified inbox. It can be easier to use a specific email client like the Yahoo or Gmail app for one user and the unified mailbox for another user.

The same approach applies to browsers. Safari is the default browser for the iPad, but you can also download Chrome or Firefox. Doing so will allow each user to keep track of their bookmarks.

Social Media Workarounds

Social media apps can be a little tricky. Facebook supports multiple profiles and you can set up a passcode for each account. Still, you must remember to log out. Some platforms allow extra users but don't have a passcode. An alternative is for one person to use third-party apps or a web browser for social media and the other to use the official apps.

Activate Touch ID for Each User

Set up Touch ID if you have a compatible iPad. With Touch ID, each user can use their fingerprint to unlock the iPad. This doesn't let each person access their own Home Screen, but it does let more than one person use the same iPad.

What About Childproofing the iPad and Still Using It?

Multiple people can use an iPad, but it becomes more complicated when some of the users are small children. It's easy enough to childproof an iPad to restrict the ability to download age-inappropriate apps, music, or movies, but those safeguards disable those features for parents as well.

Another problem parents run into is the iPad's insistence on resetting restrictions when you disable them. You'll need to double-check that your settings are correct each time you re-enable them (for example, when the kids want to use it again). It can be impractical if you have set up app restrictions but frequently need to disable them to download an app for yourself.

Will Jailbreaking Solve the Problem?

You could get around some of these issues by jailbreaking the iPad, but this might introduce more problems than it solves and could destroy any warranty you have.

Downloading apps outside of the Apple ecosystem means the apps don't go through Apple's testing process, making it easier to download malware.

Jailbreaking isn't an ideal solution for a parent wanting to share the iPad with their kids. But it could work for friends or family members who use multiple accounts. However, jailbreaking is only recommended for more advanced users who aren't afraid to potentially ruin their iPads.