All iPads Multiple User Profiles

[marty1980]

With iPadOS being broken out from iOS and Apple putting the emphasis on iPad as a computer alternative, it’s time they consider multiple user profiles so a family can use an iPad with each person having their own files, apps and logins.

This has been an often requested feature that just hasn’t appeared on Apple’s radar.

I’m curious about thoughts on this feature and whether or not anyone thinks it’s coming soon-ish.

 

[rui no onna]

Technically, it's a feature that's already available for education (paired with server-side software for roaming).

I'd love to see it on iOS but I'm sure Apple loves the current situation of one iPad per user better.

 

[ericwn]

It’s surely a useful feature that’s currently missing. Will it be used by many? Not sure - a lot of families want to use iPads at the same time of the day and the only solution to that is individual devices.

If it was critical to the iPad’s success it would be implemented already.

 

[casperes1996]

I see no reason why anyone would click not wanting it. Not caring I can get, but not wanting it? Even if you don't need or have any use for it yourself, there's no reason to go against something that could be useful to someone else unless you somehow think it could hurt your use-case which I don't see being the case with this.

But yeah, it's not really important to me. But I want it for those to whom it is important.

 

[AutomaticApple]

With iPadOS being broken out from iOS and Apple putting the emphasis on iPad as a computer alternative, it’s time they consider multiple user profiles so a family can use an iPad with each person having their own files, apps and logins.

This has been an often requested feature that just hasn’t appeared on Apple’s radar.

I’m curious about thoughts on this feature and whether or not anyone thinks it’s coming soon-ish.

I hope that Apple will add multiple user profiles in iPadOS 14, but my fingers aren't crossed.

 

[marty1980]

lot of families want to use iPads at the same time of the day and the only solution to that is individual devices.

You could make the same argument about a laptop or desktop computer. How many lower and middle class families do you think want to spend $1000s for multiple iPads?

If a family buys the magic keyboard, the iPad could be setup on a desk with the option to go anywhere.

 

[ericwn]

You could make the same argument about a laptop or desktop computer. How many lower and middle class families do you think want to spend $1000s for multiple iPads?

If a family buys the magic keyboard, the iPad could be setup on a desk with the option to go anywhere.

I am not interested in speculation about what works best for everyone. I already mentioned there are all use cases so of course you’ll find users who struggle financially and need to share iPads. That’s exactly why the feature may be useful for some and why others will have individual devices. Just like mobile phones and all other tech gadgets.

I will say though that the iPad magic keyboard can only be used with iPad Pro and is unlikely to be the choice for a low income household. I can rather imagine a more robust and more affordable iPad and accessories in a setting with children, not an iPad Pro.

 

[gnomeisland]

It isn't a burning desire but we might be another one for the family if it were easier to share (ie had user profiles). With iPad there's a balance between adding features and adding too much complexity. I like the stripped down, task oriented approach to iPad computing. I also appreciate that iPadOS, on the proper hardware, relaxes that a bit.

 

[marty1980]

My point is that often there’s only one iPad with or without a keyboard. Apple has already gone far from the simplification iOS used to provide. Adding profiles does t really change that. It’d be an additive option to what’s there. Once logged in it’s be the same. You just get a new lock screen where different people can get to their stuff. If you don’t use it, it would work the same as it does. I don’t think it will happen. I know I’d appreciate the feature.

 

[secretk]

I personally would actually use such feature. I have two Apple IDs. One is for my company iPhone and one for my iPad. I do not want to mix personal use with corporate usage so this is why I have two Apple IDs. Being able to switch between both on one device might be beneficial for me as I tend to use different apps with the different Apple IDs.

 

[casperes1996]

My point is that often there’s only one iPad with or without a keyboard. Apple has already gone far from the simplification iOS used to provide. Adding profiles does t really change that. It’d be an additive option to what’s there. Once logged in it’s be the same. You just get a new lock screen where different people can get to their stuff. If you don’t use it, it would work the same as it does. I don’t think it will happen. I know I’d appreciate the feature.

Yeah. I'd think it'd work exactly like it does now by default, but then in Settings you could set it up with multiple users to get you the "select user" lock screen. With FaceID to automatically select the appropriate user profile as an option

 

[D.T.]

I've got a number of use cases, clients, and us. Moving the iPP to the wife for her daily use machine is contingent on this, as I'd need to be able to use it (and have access to my account specific resources).

I know there are people who say, Apple won't do this because they want you to buy more than one, but even in just the few replies above, it's clear that's not an option for everyone (due to costs), or there are businesses cases where it's simply not practical - and they wind up with _no_ sale, and other devices being cross shopped.

 

[Petrophas]

At the very least there should be a kid's mode. But Apple will tell you that's what the iPad mini is for.