Checklist for configuring iPad for regular people (including parents and first-time iPad users)

I configured some iPads for regular people. If you're configuring an iPad for a parent, young child, or a good friend who is new to the iPad or new to computers, maybe my checklist will give you a starting point.

Background: iPadOS is now sophisticated (complicated?) enough that many features aren't necessary for average users. Also, some features/options aren't merely unnecessary, they actively confuse less-experienced users. For example, many users only run one app at a time. If that user accidentally performs a gesture - without knowing that gestures exist - then that feature is a net negative.

Think of these together as "Basic mode" or "New user mode." Actually, I'd love to see Apple expose an "Is this your first iPad?" question during initial setup that adjusts many of these automatically.

Beyond complexity, some defaults just aren't ideal for regular people, and some additions makes the user experience a lot more pleasant (ad blocking!).

So, here goes! These were documented on 14.4.

Settings (first to last):

• Screen Time: disable it
• Control Center -> disable Access Within Apps
• Display & Brightness -> turn Auto-Lock timeout to 15+ minutes
• Home Screen & Dock -> Multitasking -> disable Allow Multiple Apps, disable Gestures
• Accessibility -> Haptic Touch -> change Touch Duration from Fast to Slow
• Screen Time -> disable it
• Siri & Search -> disable Listen for "Hey Siri" and Press Home for Siri
• Touch ID & Passcode: if it's only going to be used at home (like during the pandemic) and you're comfortable with the risk, "Turn Passcode Off." (Obviously this is not acceptable for all situations. If it isn't, crank "Require Passcode" way up and enable touch ID.)
• Privacy -> disable Allow Apps to Request to Track
• App Store -> disable In-App Ratings & Reviews
• Wallet & Apple Pay: add the user's card
• Mail -> Signature: remove it
• Safari -> Close Tabs -> After One Month or After One Week
• Camera -> Formats -> Most Compatible (JPEG) instead of HEIC

Customization:

• Install at least these apps: AdGuard (or another great content blocker), Google Maps, Google Earth, Zoom. Enable AdGuard's recommended filters.
• Dump unused system apps into a "Misc. Apps" folder. Every icon on the home screen should be something that the user will actually enjoy using; if the user doesn't follow financial markets, seeing "Stocks" is a waste of their attention.
• Start Safari, long-press a link, and click "Hide Preview" to disable link previews.
• Visit the settings for Reminders and Notes. Choose the default data store for each one (based on which account the user already prefers, if any). If you've added an email account, there will probably be at least one data store from the email service provider and one from iCloud.
• Create home screen bookmarks for specific YouTube channels or search queries that you think the user would like. If they really trust you and you have their permission, follow a few trustworthy accounts on their account and then add the YouTube "Subscriptions" tab to the home screen.
• Invoke every app once and answer any initial setup questions (ToS, geolocation prompt, trial offers, etc.)

Depending on the user's preferences, consider these:

• In Safari, log in to popular sites (Google, etc.) as the user once and save their passwords to the keychain.
• Save Web site bookmarks on the home screen instead of installing apps (YouTube, NY Times, etc). Mobile Web interfaces are often simpler than apps. Also, pinch-to-zoom works without making the rest of the UI behave differently.
• Increase default text size (Settings -> Accessibility -> Display & Text Size -> Larger Text and Settings -> Safari -> Page Zoom).