Setup a Guest iPad, Want to bypass Apple ID when setting up erased iPad

No such thing as a Guest iPad.

To set up an iPad you must enter an Apple ID.

In a corporate or school environment with managed iPads you can set up a Shared iPad that allows users to access it without logging in with an Apple Account. You need to se up the iPad through an MDM (Mobile device Management Platform) and Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager.

click here ➜ Shared iPad overview - Apple Support

In a later update for iPadOS 27 there will be the option to set up a Guest Mode iPad, but again it will require a managed device through an MDM.

Later this year in an update to iPadOS 27, Authenticated Guest Mode will be available on Shared iPad. When configured for Temporary Session Only mode, Authenticated Guest Mode on Shared iPad supports temporary sessions after authenticating with a Managed Apple Account. This creates a faster sign-in experience, automatically allows Single Sign-on (SSO) in supported apps, and doesn’t require configuration of user storage quotas on the device.

To bypass the Apple ID prompt during setup, you can skip that step and configure the iPad as a standalone device:

• Skip the Apple ID Screen: During the initial setup wizard, when you reach the Apple ID prompt, look for the small text that says "Forgot password or don't have an Apple ID?". Tap it, then select "Set Up Later in Settings" followed by "Don't Use" to skip it.
• Download Keynote and Numbers: Once you reach the home screen, you will eventually need a temporary or shared Apple ID just to download Apple's presentation and spreadsheet apps (Keynoteand Numbers) from the App Store.
• Sign Out After Downloading: After installing the apps, go to Settings > [Your Name] and tap Sign Out at the bottom. The apps will remain on the iPad and work completely fine offline without any Apple ID attached to the device.
• Turn Off iCloud Prompts: Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage or check the main Settings menu to dismiss any remaining setup notifications asking you to finish configuring iCloud.

If you want to keep the iPad secure for guests, let me know:

• Will multiple different people be using it unsupervised?
• Do you want to lock it into just one app (like Keynote) so guests can't change settings?

I can show you how to set up Guided Access or Restrictions to lock it down.

pattyfrompriest river wrote:

I erased the older iPad, want to setup as a Guest iPad. How do I get passed putting in a Apple ID? Basically want for presentations and spreadsheets. Thank you

This is variously called kiosk mode. There are some discussions of iPads as kiosks.

There are at least two ways, at least prior to some not-yet-available iPadOS update.

Both use your Apple Account, or a purpose-created account. Using yours has some advantages.

First, log into your Apple Account, or the purpose-created account.

Then…

• Enable and use Guided Access. This is the easiest.

• Use Apple Configurator 2 app (free) (on Mac) or other MDM tools (or an MDM server) to supervise the iPad, and then use the same tool to switch the iPad into Single App mode. This is referenced in an earlier reply.

Multiple apps isn’t feasible in a kiosk, so the single authorized app will need to show everything needed.

AFAIK all iPads always have an Apple Account, either personal or organizational. There’s no bypass.

LLMs roughly double the effort around here, answering the question, and then explaining where the LLM went wrong.

You can have multiple Apple ID’s. Just create a “guest ID” that only you have the passcode for. You can use Guided Access to limit the guest user to specific apps, features, buttons etc.

Use Guided Access on iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

“Use Guided Access on iPhone or iPad

With Guided Access, you can temporarily restrict your device to a single app. This can be useful when you let a child use your device, or you want to stay focused on a task. You can set a time limit, customize which features, hardware buttons, and areas of the screen are available, and even restrict access to the keyboard.”

Jeff Donald wrote:

In my great grandson’s school they had iPads restricted to just a few apps. Perhaps the others were hidden somehow. An Apple Store would probably be able to help configure the iPad.

Yep. I know it’s feasible with an MDM system, and options there include ABM and open-source MDM systems.

I think it’s feasible with Apple Configurator 2 app, but I’m not where I can test it.

I’ve used AC2 for various device management tasks (private root certs, Wi-Fi, etc), but seldom for device supervisory tasks.

Apple Configurator 2 app can probably supervise get just specific apps accessible too, though I’ve not tried that.

In my great grandson’s school they had iPads restricted to just a few apps. Perhaps the others were hidden somehow. An Apple Store would probably be able to help configure the iPad.

aashmansingh_4 wrote:

Then what should I do with ur belief. Copy this whole question along with heading and paste it in Google.

What you do is entirely up to you. I don't rely on Google for my answers. My primary source is Apple's support documents, that I review directly. And in this case, I'm also leaning on Phil0124's knowledge, which is probably greater than yours and mine combined.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

aashmansingh_4 wrote:

To bypass the Apple ID prompt during setup, you can skip that step and configure the iPad as a standalone device:

I do not believe that is accurate.

Hello ~You are correct…. *Phil0124* is on point as usual. That other answer is yet another AI blather…

~Katana-San~

aashmansingh_4 wrote:

To bypass the Apple ID prompt during setup, you can skip that step and configure the iPad as a standalone device:

I do not believe that is accurate.

Then what should I do with ur belief. Copy this whole question along with heading and paste it in Google.