how can I block everything but books on an iPad? I have an 11 year old son. He has a computer but it is the first thing he looses when he gets punished. He likes to read books on his computer so I was thinking of turning g an old iPad into an e-reader only and not allowing any other apps. I tried a few ways I saw on YouTube, but they didn't work. All he had to do was reboot the iPad and it allowed all apps again. Can anyone help?
Use Guided Access as suggested by 6x6. It is unclear what OS version you are on, but you can see in at least OS 26 that the physical buttons can be restricted that would normally be used to restart the device. All they will do is pause the Guided Access session. You add your unique Guided Access code to prevent any changes.
The iPad will then be restricted to the Books app without any other use of the device. I would refrain from having access to a computer as I am not sure if it would still allow the device to be connected for a Factory Reset. The support article does not make that part clear and I have not tried.
thinking outside the box ...
Rather than spending money on an older iPad, why not just buy him a Kindle? You can get them at much lower prices and pretty much all they allow are books. That is how my daughter handled it when she was strictly limiting Screen Time, but wanted to allow my grandson to read all he wanted. The Kindle is even easier on the eyes for nighttime reading in the dark.
Have you looked at the Guided Access functionality: Use Guided Access on iPhone or iPad - Apple Support?
twcole1965 wrote:
Thanks. Not helpful, but thanks for partnering advice.
That’s really sad. Technology can be an aid to parenting, but not a replacement for it. While there are many features that you can use to restrict a device, any determined child will find a way around them. The one option is the one mentioned by 6x6. However, that truly limits the iPad to one app. No email, no games, no texts, etc.
You don’t.
Be a parent.
Explain that if he can’t abide by the rules, he loses access to all electronics.
Hand him an actual book.
Thanks. Not helpful, but thanks for partnering advice.
Can I permanently block all iPad apps except Books?
