iPad and iTunes Question (Seperate Computers)

May 15, 2014 4:40 AM

How do I set up/configure an iPad on a computer that won't be used as the main/regular computer?

My brother is coming home for a visit next month. He isn't technological in nature (he doesn't own a computer, etc), but he has an early version of an iPod Touch that his wife gave him when she purchased an iPhone.

We are purchasing a iPad Air for him as a birthday gift which will allow him to check his emails, etc, and primarily use it to Skype with us on the iPad Air to avoid any conflicts when his wife is using her MacBook Pro for work.

My question is this: we want to give him the iPad Air while he is visiting. I want to connect it to my computer just to get it configured (his email set-up) and download a couple of basic apps (Skype, etc), but not transfer any music or content from my iTunes library. Since he hasn't used and iPad before, we want to get him up to speed on how to use everything before he goes home.

Once he is home, he will connect his iPad to his wife's MacBook Pro (to presumably synch to her iTunes library) which is what he does with his iPod Touch.

Can this be done? Can we connect it and configure it with my computer for a couple of weeks and then use a separate computer for the remainder of its life? I have never done this before as I have always connected my Apple devices to my own computer (and iTunes library and account). Will it cause any conflicts as I will be downloading Skype from my iTunes library (which I already use?). Any tips? Advice? Suggestions?

Thanks in Advance.

posted by dbirchum to Technology (13 answers total)

Best answer: You don't need a computer to set up iOS devices anymore, all the setup is done on the device, so you are all set.
posted by Rock Steady at 4:45 AM on May 15, 2014 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Really? That's awesome.

I always thought the first step was to connect it to your computer...
posted by dbirchum at 4:48 AM on May 15, 2014

Response by poster: I just thought of something else.

I am 99.9% sure HE doesn't have an iTunes account. I know his wife does, as she has a couple of iPods and has several versions of the iPhone, etc.

Will this pose any issues? How do we get around this?
posted by dbirchum at 4:49 AM on May 15, 2014

Will it cause any conflicts as I will be downloading Skype from my iTunes library (which I already use?)

Trouble will arise when Skype needs to be updated, he will have to have the password to your apple id to update it. Maybe you could involve his wife in the surprise and use her apple id to configure the Ipad.
posted by okieangel at 5:22 AM on May 15, 2014

Best answer: What he needs is an Apple ID, which is basically the same thing. He could use his wife's but that creates confusion with text messages sometimes. (I've set up hundreds of iPads for a school.) This is a lot easier than you think. The iPad will walk him through the setup.

If you bought the model with cellular capability and not just wifi, he can either use the sim card that comes with it to establish an account with whichever carrier he chooses through the settings, or go to the outlet of his carrier and add it to his data plan.
posted by tamitang at 5:22 AM on May 15, 2014

Best answer: You can use separate apple ids for the app store and imessage, my kids and I share an app store id and they have their own ids for imessage, gamecenter, etc.
posted by okieangel at 5:25 AM on May 15, 2014 [1 favorite]

Also, no need to get anything through iTunes on the computer; he can get it all from the app store. If his wife has already purchased a particular app, he can even log out of his ID and log in with hers and download the app. As okieangel said, it is much easier to have your own ID so that you can update automatically.
posted by tamitang at 5:25 AM on May 15, 2014

I always thought the first step was to connect it to your computer...

It used to be - no longer, as of the more recent OS versions. My current iPhone has never been hooked up to a computer, and my mom's iPad (latest generation) never has been either; both run iOS 7.
posted by Tomorrowful at 5:52 AM on May 15, 2014

Best answer: dbirchum: I am 99.9% sure HE doesn't have an iTunes account. I know his wife does, as she has a couple of iPods and has several versions of the iPhone, etc.

Yeah, he is going to want to set up his own Apple ID when he sets up the iPad for messaging and other individualized functions, but if his wife has a significant number of purchases (apps, music, videos) that he would want to have regular access to, you can have him use her Apple ID for iTunes Store purposes only. It can be slightly tricky, and she would have to be comfortable with him having her password, so it's not my first recommendation for not-so-tech-savvy people, but it's possible.
posted by Rock Steady at 6:04 AM on May 15, 2014

Response by poster: Just to add to tamitang's responses, we bought him the wifi version, not the cellular version.

Ok, so it sounds like he needs an Apple id and not to connect anything to my computer, let everything be done through the App store on the actual iPad. I like this, it sounds easier enough.

Is it simple to set him up with an Apple ID on the actual iPad once he opens it?
posted by dbirchum at 9:39 AM on May 15, 2014

Yeah, it's super easy. The device will walk you through everything. Here's Apple's iPad Essentials support page, for reference, but really, it almost couldn't be easier.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:11 AM on May 15, 2014

Oh, you will want to do it on a wifi network, ideally. You have wifi at your place?
posted by Rock Steady at 10:13 AM on May 15, 2014

Response by poster: Thanks Rock Steady!

Yes, I have wifi at my place. I use it for my iPhone and iPad Air as well!
posted by dbirchum at 10:27 AM on May 15, 2014