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Lm2009_123
User level: Level 1 (8 points)

Restricting access

My 4 year old uses an iPad to help his communication as he is disabled and cannot talk. He keeps managing to get into the settings and changes things such as puts it in airplane mode and then gets frustrated that it doesn’t work while I try to work out what he has changed to put it right! Is there a way that I can block access to the settings app? I put the app along with a few others he doesn’t need access to in a folder thinking he would be less likely to get to them but I guess he is curious! His age and the nature of his disability means that he doesn’t really understand that he shouldn’t do this and why so I can’t really reason with him about it and taking the iPad away isn’t an option as this is his means of communicating with the world.

Posted on Jan 2, 2020 2:08 PM

5 replies

LotusPilot
User level: Level 10 (334,506 points)

Jan 2, 2020 3:48 PM in response to Lm2009_123

Have you seen this Apple Support page?

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201304#allow-changes


Whilst it doesn’t describe a mechanism to disable access to Settings (which would effectively lock you out of making any set-up changes), it does describe many of the areas that you can control.


Apple takes great interest in supporting disabilities of all kinds, your particular challenge can’t be unique. There must be some combination of Parental Controls, Restrictions and Accessibility settings that will work for you.


I hope this helps you to better refine the Restrictions to something more effective.

LotusPilot
User level: Level 10 (334,506 points)

Jan 2, 2020 4:00 PM in response to Lm2009_123

Another thought - it may well be worth your while to visit an Apple Store and ask to speak to one of the Disability Specialists. If the Store doesn’t have one available on their own staff, they will be able to refer you directly to the appropriate Apple Team and resources.


I hope this get you going in the right direction. Best of luck in getting this sorted out - I’m confident an effective solution can be found.

QuickPost
User level: Level 10 (103,789 points)

Jan 2, 2020 2:52 PM in response to Lm2009_123

Hello,


I am sorry, it is not possible to restrict the Settings application.

Lm2009_123 Author
User level: Level 1 (8 points)

Jan 2, 2020 4:32 PM in response to LotusPilot

Thank you so much for this. I didn’t even know that apple had disability advisors but will definitely be going into my local store to see if they can offer any further suggestions for us 😊

LotusPilot
User level: Level 10 (334,506 points)

Jan 2, 2020 4:36 PM in response to Lm2009_123

My pleasure to help get you going the right direction. Communication tools and appropriate disability support are important.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/251003078