Q: How can I create iPad clones?
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Jun 19, 2012 6:40 AMby Ingo2711,You can set up yopur iPad as desired, right click on it in the device list in iTunes on your computer and choose to backup. This will create a manual backup of your device containing all settings and data. More info here:
After that, connect the new device, let iTunes set it up and choose to restore your data from the manual backup made from your "master iPad".
If you're using a Mac, there is a free app from Apple called "Apple Configurator" in the AppStore for OSX Lion, which does this for you as well.
Message was edited by: Ingo2711
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Jun 19, 2012 6:38 AMby Demo,JTChal wrote:
I want to create multiple clones of a model iPad (primarily app and app placement).
Also, if in fact the iCloud is NOT AN OPTION for what I am trying to accomplish, is it true that I can make a backup of my model iPad in iTunes on a computer, and then plug in the subsequent iPads to restore from that backup?
Yes you can use iTunes. I do it that way when restoring from a backup.
When you restore from the backup - you restore all of the contents of the backup onto the iPad. You do not restore everything that you own in your Apple ID iTunes account. You will restore only what is on the iPad at the time that the backup was created. You will also have to sync your apps and other media back onto the iPad when you restore from the iTunes backup.
How to create a backup and restore from the backup.
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Jun 19, 2012 7:03 AMby JTChal,Thank you so much for the help.
Demo wrote:
You will also have to sync your apps and other media back onto the iPad when you restore from the iTunes backup.
What did you mean by this?
When I "restore" my new iPad from the master iPad's backup, aren't I already "syncing" my apps and media from the backup onto the iPad? Do you mean I will have to sync my master iPad with iTunes again for some reason after I restore other devices?
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Jun 19, 2012 7:09 AMby Demo,No you are not necessarily syncing all of the apps back when you restore from the backup.
The backup contains app data and device settings. The backup does NOT contain apps, music, synced photos, movies and any other media. So when you restore the new iPads from the backup of the "model" iPad that you want to clone, you still need to sync the iPad with iTunes in order to put the apps on the device.
You should also make sure that your iTunes library is current and up to date with the contents of the "model" iPad that you want to clone. You should transfer the purchases from the iPad into iTunes, back the iPad up and sync one last time. After that, you can begin the process of restoring the other iPads from the backup of the "model" iPad and then sync with iTunes.
The bottom line is that you want to make the "model" iPad and your iTunes library up to date before you start setting up the other iPads.
Transfer purchases.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1848
How to backup
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766
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Jun 19, 2012 7:51 AMby JTChal,Demo wrote:
No you are not necessarily syncing all of the apps back when you restore from the backup.
The backup contains app data and device settings. The backup does NOT contain apps, music, synced photos, movies and any other media. So when you restore the new iPads from the backup of the "model" iPad that you want to clone, you still need to sync the iPad with iTunes in order to put the apps on the device.
You should also make sure that your iTunes library is current and up to date with the contents of the "model" iPad that you want to clone.
Oh. I need to sync the new iPads with iTunes in order to put the apps on the device.
As far as Apps are concerned, when I sync my new iPads with iTunes, will the new iPads download every app on my Apple ID? Is there a way to make sure that my iPads download only the Apps on the model iPad?
Thank you so much for your help.
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Jun 19, 2012 9:06 AMby Demo,HelpfulAs Ingo2711 states above, iTunes will Remeber the sync configuration.
Connect the iPad to the computer and launch iTunes.
Click on the iPad name on the left side under devices.
Click on the Apps Tab on the right.
Click on all of the apps that you want to sync, uncheck all of the apps that you do not want to sync
Click on the Sync Apps Heading.
Click on Apply in the lower right corner of iTunes
You may also want to uncheck the box that says - Sync New Apps Automatically - under the apps list.
