Apple’s iPads only support multiple user accounts in a special education mode intended for schools. iPads are a single-user device—more like an iPhone than a Mac. However, you can share an iPad more easily with these tips.
Only Schools Get Multi-User iPads
Only schools can use multiple user accounts on an iPad. If you do manage iPads for a school, look at Apple’s “Shared iPad for Education” feature. Multiple students in a classroom can share an iPad and select between user accounts on the lock screen.
Unfortunately, this really is only for schools. You’ll need the Apple School Manager service to get this set up.
Apple rolled out this feature with iOS 9.3 back in 2016. Even with the new, more powerful iPadOS on the way, it doesn’t look like Apple will give anyone else multiple user support on their iPads—not home users and not even other large organizations.
Apple Wants Everyone to Have Their Own iPad
Apple clearly wants everyone in your family to have their own iPad, just like the company wants you to own your own iPhone. That’s not as ridiculous as it once was when new iPads cost $499 each. After all, the latest iPad starts at $329 and regularly drops to $249 on sale. You can get even better deals by purchasing a previous model or used iPad.
Still, unlike a smartphone that’s in your pocket all the time, an iPad can be left around your home and seems like an ideal computer for sharing.
Tips for Sharing Your iPad With Another Adult
There’s a good chance you might share an iPad with a partner or spouse. If you aren’t worried about the person you’re sharing with snooping, you can make an iPad work a bit better for you by giving each person different apps.
For example, if you each want your email on the iPad, one person could set up their email in Apple’s Mail app, and the other could use Gmail, Outlook, or another email app. If you each want your own browser so you can sign in to your personal user accounts and have your own browser tabs, one person could use Safari, and the other person could use Chrome or Firefox.
