Password protect Mail on iPad

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.

Posted on Apr 6, 2012 2:16 PM

Reply
141 replies

May 18, 2013 10:21 AM in response to rjo98

After reading through the threads, I set up an account just post here.

I use my iPad every single day. I'm a freelancer, I work with my laptop and do my browsing/research on there.

My iPad is mostly for reading newspapers (newsapps), calculator, radio, ibooks. I browse through my email first thing in the morning on my iPad so I know who I've got to reply to workwise on the PC later, and then I read emails from family and friends.

When my young daughter's here, she monopolises it for games. When I was single and my daughter was still learning to read, the iPad suited my needs fine. But now my new GF uses it for Facebook/YouTube and my daughter is a little older, techsavvy and curious. I don't feel comfortably with them being able to read all my emails whenever they want, but nor do I want to deprive them the pleasure of using the IPad.

The argument that Apple hasn't/won't password protect their native email app because the device is only meant to be for a single user is ludicrous. Of course they know all family members are gonna use it when it is a household device.

As many have pointed out on here, users can password protect/restrict Safari, camera and other apps, so Apple obviously also recognise the device owner may not wish to have users browsing and taking photos, etc.

So why not email?

Some people have suggested that Apple want to force us to buy devices for the entire family just so we can protect our emails. Maybe, maybe not. I think not.

Another possible explanation is that companies may wish to supply iPads to employees as a work tool on which email access is necessary but browsing the web and taking photos isn't. Take a look at which in-built apps can be password protected/restricted and from this perspective it makes sense: music/downloading music, deleting/adding apps, adding personal e-mail accounts, YouTube, web browsing, etc. In short, the restriction options allow companies to block any personal use and turn the iPad solely into a professional work tool.

Even the fact that the iPad user can have the general pin to slide to open and the company has the pin used to configure the device. Want more? Setting up new (read employees' personal) email accounts can be restricted but the email app not.

Also, if Apple only thought about making more money, why would they allow iTunes to be blocked? iTunes makes them billions, e-mail makes them squat!

I'm not a blind, dewey eyed Apple freak. I still use my iPad 1 coz until recently it suited my needs perfectly. Back when I bought it there were no other tablets on the shelves. But when it comes to updating (I recently got a small crack on the screen), I will definitely look at other (Android) tablets and if they suit my new needs (i.e. older, curious daughter and prying GF), I won't think twice about buying one.

So, no, I don't think the lack of email restriction is Apple trying to manipulate clients, I think it's Apple not taking the competition serious enough and resting too much on its laurels. Apple's current capital might was created on the back of its totally new, innovative devices launched during the last decade. But it appears the hard tech for new, game changing devices has been exhausted for the time being and the current market is all about perfecting existing products and services.

Apple better start listening or it will be the next Microsoft, playing catch up to Samsung!

May 18, 2013 11:19 AM in response to Kilgore-Trout

I think the demand is there. This thread alone has been read 80k+ times. And it's not as if it would be difficult to meet or require a complete O/S overhaul when you look at other native apps that can be restricted.

I can only think of two reasons why it doesn't include email restriction.

1. Apple values the corporate market more and companies don't want to allow employees to restrict their boss's access to the emails they receive on the company device. (Highly unlikely but possible.)

2. Apple really doesn't care too much. Why should it? It's the number one company in the world and obviously believes it's got everything right. Throughout this entire forum, nearly every post has the same plot - 'problem posted, rant, rant, write to Apple, I have, no reply, nothing done, Apple can do no wrong, you're blind, Apple products are great but they don't listen to the people who buy them.'

Apple's USED to be the only gorgeous products in the stores. The competition is catching up. When it does, Apple will start listening.

Jun 5, 2013 1:47 PM in response to Filmguy123

Filmguy123: I thought I'd point you to a far easier approach I posted in this thread some time ago... but my post seems to have disappeared??? REALLY strange...

Anyway, here it is again (iOS 6.1.3):

1. To protect your mail:

- Settings -> Mail, Contacts, Calendars -> YourMailAccount -> OFF -> Done

- Settings -> General -> Restrictions -> PIN -> Accounts -> Don't Allow changes

--> trying to access Mail only yields "Account Restriction"

2. To UNprotect you mail:

- Settings -> General -> Restrictions -> PIN -> Accounts -> Allow changes

- Settings -> Mail, Contacts, Calendars -> YourMailAccount -> ON -> Done

--> your mail is accessible and "comes back" where you left it the last time, including all messages still in there.

Depending on the kind of your mail account (i.e. the complexity of setting it up from scratch), this is far quicker and easier. Good luck!

Jul 29, 2013 10:47 AM in response to mac-o-man

mac-o-man, with all due respect, I don't find this simple.


My editorial take: it seems fiddly. It's essentially a hack to work around a glaring gap in Apple's understanding and/or implementation of use cases such as the one described in the original post and echoed by several others here, me included.


If this gap was intentionally built into the 'vision for the iPad' by Apple, then the vision needs to change to one that is shared (and developed) with its customers!


Authoritarian approaches to user experience, imo, go against the original Apple philosophy of enabling individuals and misfits, of being a pirate being more fun than joining the navy, etc. Who remembers the iconic 1984 ad? 😍

Jan 14, 2014 1:15 AM in response to rjo98

I dont understand why Apple wont implement this feature.


I work with IT, and we are about to change to MobileIron to manage our devices. Since we are not able to make a passcode on the mail client, we are FORCED to make a 8 digits letter/numbers passcode on our employees iPhone's.


To be honest, thats just stupid. But since people got confidential information on their iPhones, so there is no way around it in the native enviroment.


I am not looking forward to see how people will react when people realize they have to use this 8 digits passcode every single time they want to make a phone call.


Apple, you say your device are ready for the enterprise with iOs7. Then please give us the the options we need to make this true.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Password protect Mail on iPad

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.