To never voluntarily buy Apple again

[SisyphusDad]

Sorry, just need to vent (in the same way that an active volcano needs to vent).

I've just had to buy an iPad today for DS2 because his school requires it. They came up with some bollocks about why it had to be an iPad.

We are an Android household. I've spent well over two hours doing basic setup to fit in (roughly) with the way I do things (I'm quite tech savvy and have a particular way of doing things for very good reasons). And there are several things to do with parental controls and access to the Apps store that I simply cannot do without a second Apple device and there is no fucking way I am spending several hundred pounds simply to be able to approve things that need to be done (install the apps the school wants, for one thing).

I am usually quite calm and reserved but this evening I used a large number of words (in his presence) that I'm sure my son thought that I didn't know. And he described me as jumping up and down like a monkey as I repeatedly stabbed an innocent cardboard box with a screwdriver to release the tension.

I will not be going to the Parents' evening where they deliver a patronising lecture on the dangers of the Internet partly because I will find it very hard not to disgrace myself and partly because I've somehow managed to bring my kids up in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.

I used to think that both Apple and Google had their place, and it was mainly a matter of choice but after today's experience I am now firmly in the camp of Apple haters.

Sorry Golightly133 but that is utterly irrelevant.

SisyphusDad Do my research? I don’t have to, my iPad is working just fine absent any other Apple devices or an Apple email thanks.

School here also insist on apple iPads mainly due to the accessibility and apps

Dyslexic children can really be unfit from the technology and improve exam results

Can you ask the school to.lend you another Apple device so that you can set up.the ipàd the way you want it?

Oi. GadgetTwat. You can easily do it on windows using iTunes and an iCloud account. I suggest instead of being such an obtuse git when people are trying to help you, pissing research it yourself. You do not need an apple email address either. A Hotmail or similar address will suffice.

Apple is a much improved system to android for family usage. Much more secure and stable for a start but that is for another time. Set up an iTunes account and stop whinging.

This is nuts.

Why would you need another apple device?

SisyphusDad - have you tried ringing Applecare? I've always found their phone support to be very good, and there might be a workaround they can suggest.

Fair enough not liking Apple as a brand. We're a mixed household and I like both for different things. I'm not a fan or a hater of either and see faults in both but it really does from your posts that it's user error making the set up impossible and it Apple themselves.

I totally understand you!
It's awful!

I use a non-apple address.
We turned ON ask to buy for our DC's devices. It can also be turned OFF.
If you wish to password protect app installations you can approve on the device (I've done this for DC and it means you don't need a second device).
Just ask school for all the apps in advance. You'll be fine.

You're doing this arse upwards.

You only need one (1) Apple ID - irrelevant of who is using it.
Do not tell child the password - you download the apps. If child wants to download the app, child comes to you and you decide whether child can have said app. If yes, enter password. If no, don't enter password.

It's a perfectly fine system for a family who do not have multiple Apple products.

I know that nowadays people expect an app for everything, and that anything that needs to be done manually comes as a massive strain to them, but that's life.
Surely you should have done your research before buying the iPad? In fact, since you're so tech savvy, shouldn't you have already known?

Why can't you just download the apps the school wants and set up parental controls so your child can only download for a certain age group? My son has an iPad for school, wasn't hard to set up at all. Parental controls work well.

You're not wrong, my daughter has just got an iPhone and it is an utter pain to do anything with the remote parental controls if you don't have another iOS device. There are definitely some things you cannot do remotely unless you have an iPhone or iPad, for example changing screentime settings. Not even on a Mac. It is a complete pig. I'm very technical too and it is driving me barmy.

I was an Android user for years & actually thought Apple was all fur coat & no knickers. Then a few of my friends moved on to iPads & Iphones, I had a play & found it so intuitive & easy to use.
The first Apple product we got was my DDs iPod which I set up the account in my own name so I had full control of what apps could be downloaded & what could be seen. It was very easy to set up as long as you followed the instructions.
I do have an Apple email address but it's my secondary account & hardly used.
Android does have some good things but I wouldn't go back to it now.
Team Apple all the way here.

(and no, I won't be using the same Apple ID as my child, or any other personal account!)

Wow. You must be interesting. Swearing in front of your child because of a bit of tech? Apple products take five minutes to set up, so not sure what you're doing! I guess we might have different definitions of being technologically competent and reserved - I'm seconding @PoppadomPeach - you can also set up mail forwarding from your iCloud account to your standard account. (Imagine if your child likes it! You'll end up with loads of Apple stuff and it'll be an amazing Mumsnet saga!)

I'm an apple hater but have 1 iPad .Why the ever living fluff do you need 2 apple products...you don't need an Apple email address and even my 75 year old un tech savvy dad can manage that one.

To set up remote parental controls on an Android device don't you need another android or Microsoft device to do that?
If so then it's the same situation as needing the same operating system on all devices.

There are definitely some things you cannot do remotely unless you have an iPhone or iPad, for example changing screentime settings.

I never understand why anyone needs to operate screen time setting remotely. Does no one just communicate with their child 'Johnny, you can use the iPad until 3pm' 'Johnny, it's time to come off now'

And yes OP. Take responsibility and do t allow your DC to download apps. You do that bit for them. No need for another device or remote settings. Simple face to face contact will cover it.

You could be in a reverse situation, like you all use Apple but school supply you with a Google Chromebook!

*dont allow

Also at age 12 i could trust my child not to be iddiotic and only to download age approapriate apps which were free but hey hi.

Actually SisyphusDad I feel we may be being a bit harsh. I suppose it's a bit like you are a house of Spanish speakers & then this man/woman moves in & takes over but he/she will only talk/respond to you in Greek.

I take it, @MAXnot73, that you don't have children that are old enough to be left on their own? They still need a bit of help regulating their use. And it's a useful sanction to be able to just cut them off.