Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT
Just got a brand new iPad. Is there a way natively or via another app to password protect the Mail application? I'd love to be able to let others use the iPad for internet browsing or games, but with Mail if you click it you can get right into all my email accounts with all my data. Would love to be able to have extra security on top of the Mail program to even get it to open up.
Many thanks in advance for the help.
Had not considered that. does that prevent you from even opening Mail and seeing the already downloaded messages too? If it does, that may be the answer.
No, it hides nothing if you haven't deleted it. It would just prevent Mail from accessing the account and downloading new mail.
You are correct, many folks have requested such control over a number of apps with content on the iPad, but if it were easy to produce such an app, wouldn't a 3rd party developer have taken that idea to the bank? Not being a developer I can't guess what prevents it from having happened.
Right, so that won't really work out for what i was looking for.
Seems odd that Apple would let you restrict some of the Apple apps but not all of them, although considering security would add to the development. and like you said, if it's intended to only be a single user device, I'm sure Apple feels that a passcode to unlock the entire device is sufficient.
Guys, let's stop the condescending (and not very intelligent) comments like Joseph's about the iPad not being a multiuser device, maybe you should try parenting etc etc.
The fact is the IPHONE is a single user device, the IPAD isn't. The only reason apple takes this stance is because it doesn't want to spend the money on a separate iOS for the iPad.
My iPhone lives in my pocket. My iPad usually lives in the lounge where family & friends can pick it up and use it. I would like to be able to access my business emails on it, because it is a great device for that, but I can't because some of those emails are private and not for other peoples' eyes.
People habe been asking for this feature in the forums for ages now. Even my pc (password protected, a genuinely single user device) has password protected email programs. So does Android. Which probably explains why Android devices have overtaken Apple ones in sales. Come on Apple, change your arrogant attitude and pull your finger out!
The fact is the IPHONE is a single user device, the IPAD isn't.
The fact is that, regardless of how you think it should be, the iPad IS a single-user device. That's how Apple has designed the OS. What you think should be the case is irrelevant to the situation as it stands. The OS on your PC was designed for multiple users; iOS was not.
You can comment to Apple on the matter here, if you wish:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipad.html
Whether Apple will ever make any changes is something none of us here can say. Given the sales of the iPad, which far exceed those of all Android-based tablets combined, there doesn't seem to be much incentive at present, but Apple may well have something in the works; we just can't know. If the iPad as it stands doesn't meet your need, though, buy something that does.
Regards.
Message was edited by: varjak paw
Varjak, I think you are missing the point, aren't you?
The ipad is NOT a single user device. Yes, Apple stuck the same ios on it because they decided it wasn't worth developing a separate version. Unless of course you subscribe to the popular view that the ipad is really just a big iphone?
It's a good device, but it could be better. Apple has made some amazing bloopers with it. (The wifi also has known issues, why can't I have subfolders in my photo albums?) If you stick your head in the sand and take the attitude "it is this way 'cos we say it is" your opposition usually soon overtakes you. Yes, ipads far outsell android tablets. But once upon a time, iphones outsold android phones. Not any more. And guess what, android devices all used to have the same os...but not any more. The ipad is still (just about) the best tablet, but my guess is that tablets will go the same way as the phones, as android evolves faster and listens to the community.
The ipad is NOT a single user device.
The iPad IS a single user device, as far as privacy issues are concerned or you wouldn't be here grousing about it. The iPad IS a single user device because you can't create private individual user accounts on it for more than one person. You can either set it up as a shared device and not have an expectation of any privacy because whatever is on it is availale for anyone who picks it up to see or you can give it a primary password that protects the privacy of a single user. Period.
Yes, Apple stuck the same ios on it because they decided it wasn't worth developing a separate version.
Actually, iOS does come in different versions, based on iOS device. And those different versions based on device also install themselves differently based on the model it is installed on. Which is why the iPhone 4S is the only iOS device with SIRI. Which is why the new iPad is the only iPad with dictation. Which is why the iOS device supported by one cellular service provider may have a personal hotspot and the identical device supported by a different service provider may not. Etc, etc, etc.
BiigJiim wrote:
The ipad is NOT a single user device.
From a security/personal info standpoint...
It was designed as a single user device. Period. What you want it to be doesn't change reality.
Just noticed my original post is still getting some activity. I do think everyone is making valid points, in between the off the cuff comments, on how it works now or on how it could be improved upon.
True, it's not really multi-user in terms of how a PC is one machine with multiple user accounts and separate settings based on who logged on.
The part I don't understand which maybe you two could explain, is if it is truly designed as a single user device, why would Apple let you restrict some of the Apple apps but not all of them, as someone posted earlier in the thread when trying to help me with my original question. Why would one person want to restrict themselves from certain apps?
I just think it would have been nice/better had they extended the restriction ability to all the built-in programs, not just some of them. Wouldn't you agree that would be an improvement since the technology is already there? It's been like that in at least 2 generations of iPads i've dealt with. If it was truly only meant to be single-user, you'd think that feature wouldn't be included at all since you can lock the device entirely with a passcode. Not trying to stoke the flames here, just trying to show a different angle of how to view it.
is if it is truly designed as a single user device, why would Apple let you restrict some of the Apple apps but not all of them
It's really quite simple, the restrictions are a form of parental control so that a parent can set the device up for use by a child or shared use by children and feel comfortable about what is available to the child. The restrictions don't provide any privacy, simply restrictions on use.
True, just wish they would have deemed more of the built-in programs parental control worthy then. In my mind, restricting children (or anyone you choose) from getting into an application does teeter toward the privacy/security realm a bit.
That's really all I wanted to do with my original post, was restrict Mail access somehow so others could use the device but not get into the mail account. Just wish Mail would have been included with the other apps they let you restrict. I submitted that thought to Apple when the iPad2 came out and with the launch of the latest model as well.
So I guess it's more accurate to say the iPad is mostly a single user device with minimal parental control type features (the restrictions).
Thanks for the link - that's very helpful. I've posted a request for some feature to offer some form of additional password protection for some apps (for example, allowing that some screens be set up to requires re-entry of the screen-lock password). I don't buy the argument that something would have been done already if it could be. How would that logic allow any software developer to introduce any new features, ever?
Regardless of how iOS for the iPad is currently designed, there's no denying that Apple markets it as a family (read: multi-user) device. It's not practical for parents to look over their kids' shoulders every second, nor for kids always to resist the temptation to peek at that important-looking stuff that adults keep hidden all the time.
Word on the rumor sites is that Apple has been working on user accounts in iOS since at least 2010 and has been unsuccessful in doing so.
I don't buy the argument that something would have been done already if it could be. How would that logic allow any software developer to introduce any new features, ever?
Sorry, there is no logic in that flow of thought at all.
Regardless of how iOS for the iPad is currently designed, there's no denying that Apple markets it as a family (read: multi-user) device.
Apple markets it as a magical shared device, great for families, not a multi-user device with any expectation of privacy.
Dahveed, i understand what you're saying, but you're too hung up on multi-user meaning multiple user accounts logging on to the device at startup, when that's not what anyone is asking for really, just expanded parental controls which allow some sort of control over who can access what.
Think of it this way, with an example i'm sure everyone can relate to in some way. if you're a parent and you have a cabinet with alcohol (or anything) in it you don't want your kids (or anyone) getting in to without having the key, you don't lock the kid out of the house in its entirety, you just lock the cabinet with the alcohol in it and only give keys to those who should have access.
Also, i don't recall any iPad commercials or advertisements warning you should have no expectation of privacy with the device ;-)
the iPad is great for families, but parental controls are definitely not new technology, and they are already partially included via the form of restrictions. I'm just looking for them to be expanded upon, at least to those programs already included with the iPad by default.
Password protect Mail on iPad
