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In the last year a number of teachers have had iPads provided for them by their principals, Learning Services, and the Program Department. Prior to these devices being issued to staff, they are set up by the IT Department. We set them up with a generic Apple ID so that we can ensure that each device is working properly and is set up with the password for our wireless network.
Once the device is issued to the individual staff member, we expect that person to use his/her own Apple ID to download apps, send messages, use FaceTime, etc. This has caused some confusion for staff who have been given iPads to use and they wonder they can't just keep using the generic account with which we set up the device. Here is the answer.
If we have numerous iPads using the same Apple ID, it will create great confusion, particularly in FaceTime and Messages. We have set up over 100 iPads with the following Apple ID: [email protected] (which we refer to as our generic teacher account.) If that Apple ID is left on the device and someone sends a message in Messages, that same message (and any responses to it) will appear on every other device that has that same account set up in the Messages app. If we had 100 devices with the same account, all 100 would get the message, which would be great if we wanted to broadcast a message to all the people who have the device, but it would not be so great if the message is intended for one other person.
Similarly, if someone tried to make a FaceTime call to the generic teacher ID, it would be a crap shoot as to which device makes the connection at the other end. Unless you're looking for a blind date, this is not a good thing. So to eliminate the confusion, the person who receives the iPad needs to set it up with his/her own Apple ID and then put that ID into the settings for the App Store, Facetime, Messages, Mail, etc.
And you can download apps onto one iPad from various different Apple ID's. The app is "owned" by the Apple ID not by the device. For example, on my own personal iPad, I have apps that I downloaded using my Apple ID and my wife has apps that she downloaded using her Apple ID. There is no problem with doing this but you need to remember one key thing: if and when the app needs to be updated, it must be updated using the Apple ID with which it was downloaded. So I update my apps and my wife updates hers.
And, of course, like any other program that uses a login and password, it is important to keep the information private, but record it somewhere where it won't get lost. Remember, too, that devices issued to you by your school, your principal or a department in the Board are yours to use for professional purposes, but they are not yours to keep. They are still Board property.
Next time, I will provide step by step instructions on creating an Apple ID.
Once the device is issued to the individual staff member, we expect that person to use his/her own Apple ID to download apps, send messages, use FaceTime, etc. This has caused some confusion for staff who have been given iPads to use and they wonder they can't just keep using the generic account with which we set up the device. Here is the answer.
If we have numerous iPads using the same Apple ID, it will create great confusion, particularly in FaceTime and Messages. We have set up over 100 iPads with the following Apple ID: [email protected] (which we refer to as our generic teacher account.) If that Apple ID is left on the device and someone sends a message in Messages, that same message (and any responses to it) will appear on every other device that has that same account set up in the Messages app. If we had 100 devices with the same account, all 100 would get the message, which would be great if we wanted to broadcast a message to all the people who have the device, but it would not be so great if the message is intended for one other person.
Similarly, if someone tried to make a FaceTime call to the generic teacher ID, it would be a crap shoot as to which device makes the connection at the other end. Unless you're looking for a blind date, this is not a good thing. So to eliminate the confusion, the person who receives the iPad needs to set it up with his/her own Apple ID and then put that ID into the settings for the App Store, Facetime, Messages, Mail, etc.
And you can download apps onto one iPad from various different Apple ID's. The app is "owned" by the Apple ID not by the device. For example, on my own personal iPad, I have apps that I downloaded using my Apple ID and my wife has apps that she downloaded using her Apple ID. There is no problem with doing this but you need to remember one key thing: if and when the app needs to be updated, it must be updated using the Apple ID with which it was downloaded. So I update my apps and my wife updates hers.
And, of course, like any other program that uses a login and password, it is important to keep the information private, but record it somewhere where it won't get lost. Remember, too, that devices issued to you by your school, your principal or a department in the Board are yours to use for professional purposes, but they are not yours to keep. They are still Board property.
Next time, I will provide step by step instructions on creating an Apple ID.