How to Use Guided Access on iPad: A Comprehensive Guide

Guided Access is a powerful feature on iPad that allows you to lock your device to a single app and control which features are available. This can be incredibly useful in various situations, such as letting a child use your iPad without accidentally accessing other apps or when you need to focus on a specific task without distractions. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of how to use Guided Access on your iPad.

Setting Up Guided Access on Your iPad

Before you can start using Guided Access, you need to enable it in your iPad’s settings. Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.

2. Scroll down and tap on Accessibility.

3. In the Accessibility menu, find and tap on Guided Access.

4. Toggle the Guided Access switch to the “on” position.

   Guided Access setting location

5. Tap on Passcode Settings, then tap on Set Guided Access Passcode.

6. Enter a passcode that you’ll use to end Guided Access sessions, then re-enter it to confirm.

7. You can also enable Face ID or Touch ID as an alternative way to end a Guided Access session. This can be convenient if you prefer not to use a passcode.

Starting a Guided Access Session

Once you’ve set up Guided Access, you can start a session in any app. Here’s how:

1. Open the app that you want to use in Guided Access.

2. Triple-click the Top Button (on iPads with Face ID) or the Home Button (on iPads with a Home button).

3. The Guided Access screen will appear. Here, you can customize the session:

   • Disable areas of the screen: If you want to prevent certain areas of the screen from responding to touch, use one finger to circle those areas. You can move or resize the circle, or tap the “X” to remove it.

4. Tap Start in the upper-right corner of the screen. If you have a passcode set, you will be prompted to enter it the first time you start Guided Access.

Alternatively, you can use Siri to start a Guided Access session. Simply open the app you want to use, then say “Turn on Guided Access” to Siri. Keep in mind that Siri features may vary depending on your region or language.

Controlling Available Features in Guided Access

Guided Access offers a range of options to control which features are available during a session. To access these options:

1. Triple-click the Top Button or Home Button.

2. Enter your Guided Access passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID.

3. Tap Options in the lower-left corner of the screen. If you don’t see Options, triple-click the Side or Home button again and enter your passcode.

4. A menu will appear with various options that you can toggle on or off:

   • Sleep/Wake Button: Disables the Sleep/Wake button, preventing the device from being put to sleep.

     Alt text: Icon representing the Sleep/Wake button setting in Guided Access options.

   • Volume Buttons: Disables the volume buttons, preventing the volume from being adjusted.

   • Motion: Limits how the device responds to motion, such as shaking or rotating. This can be useful to prevent accidental screen rotations.

   • Keyboards: Disables the keyboard, preventing text input.

     Alt text: Icon representing the keyboard setting in Guided Access options.

   • Touch: Disables all touch input on the screen. This is useful if you want to display content without allowing any interaction.

   • Dictionary Lookup: Enables or disables the Look Up feature when text is selected.

     Alt text: Icon representing the Dictionary Lookup setting in Guided Access options.

   • Time Limit: Sets a time limit for the Guided Access session. When the time limit expires, the session will automatically end, and the device will be locked.

5. Turn on or off the options that you want to use.

6. Tap Done in the upper-right corner of the screen to save your changes.

Ending a Guided Access Session

When you’re ready to end a Guided Access session:

1. Triple-click the Top Button or Home Button.
2. Enter your Guided Access passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID.
3. Tap End in the upper-left corner of the screen.

Conclusion

Guided Access is a versatile tool that can enhance the iPad experience in various situations. Whether you’re a parent looking to control your child’s iPad usage or an individual seeking to minimize distractions, Guided Access provides a simple yet effective solution. By understanding how to set up, start, customize, and end Guided Access sessions, you can leverage this feature to make the most of your iPad.