Adding apps to someone else's iPad, or How do two people use the same iPad?

May 19, 2012 7:16 PM

Is it possible for me to add apps to a borrowed iPad without losing everything that is already on it?

My brother-in-law has lent me his iPad. He wants to sell it and agreed to let me have a trial period before I decide if I actually want to buy it. Basically none of the apps he has installed are of interest to me, such that the trial is kind of useless. I'd like to add some apps of my choosing (including some paid apps that I have already bought for my iPod Touch), but would like to be able to return the iPad to him in the state that he gave it to me (he's got pics and video etc on there now). When I plug in to my laptop, it looks like I have the option to "sync apps", but it says "all existing apps and their data on the iPad will be replaced with apps from this iTunes library".

Is there a way around this, or do I need to ask him to wipe the iPad for me so I can have a real trial?

posted by segatakai to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

I'd simply leave his apps on there and start adding new ones through the app store via the iPad. Do not sync it to your computer, or you will indeed wipe all of his apps and data.

If you want to buy paid apps and install free ones, he'll need to tell you his iTunes password. Then, just hand him some money to cover the apps you purchased. Better yet, just buy an iTunes gift card, apply it to his account on the iPad (App Store > scroll to bottom > Redeem). That way, he won't be billed for your purchases.

Then, just drag all the apps to a new empty page, so it feels like there's a physical division between "his" apps and yours.
posted by plasticbugs at 7:29 PM on May 19, 2012

Best answer: There's probably an easier way to do this, but here's what I would do (my husband and I both buy apps for own iPads and our kids' iPod touches, but the kids do not have their own Apple IDs). Go into Settings -> Store -> Apple ID. Click his ID and sign out. Then sign in as yourself. When you go to the App Store, you will see your stuff. You can click the download icon to put them on the iPad. If you decide not to keep it, you can delete the apps you downloaded, log out your Apple ID in the Settings, then return it to him.
posted by candyland at 7:31 PM on May 19, 2012 [5 favorites]

You should ask him to backup his ipad before giving it to you. If he does this, you can wipe it without any impact - he can just restore from the backup when you give it back...

Even if you don't decide to wipe it, make sure he does the backup so if anything happens when you have it, nothing will be lost or modified...
posted by NoDef at 7:36 PM on May 19, 2012 [3 favorites]

Best answer: The second answer, about signing out of his AppleID and in to yours before making any downloads or purchases, is correct. App downloads and iTunes purchases are tied to your AppleID, not any particular device. Downloading any apps you're interested in with your own ID will make it easy to re-install them later once you're ready to set up your own iPad.
posted by raygan at 8:48 PM on May 19, 2012 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks, all. Changing the ID indeed worked just fine. I appreciate the help!
posted by segatakai at 7:47 PM on May 20, 2012