To set up your old iPad for someone else, first back it up, then sign out of your Apple ID and erase all content and settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content and Settings) to remove your data and disable Activation Lock, making it ready for a factory reset and a new user's Apple ID. You can then use Family Sharing or set up a new Apple ID directly on the device for the new user.
Go to Settings > [your name], scroll down, tap Sign Out, enter your Apple Account password, then tap Turn Off. Erase all content and settings that contain personal information. If you previously turned on Find My for your iPad, Activation Lock is removed when you erase iPad, making it ready for a new owner.
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad. Do one of the following: Prepare your content and settings to transfer to a new iPad: Tap Get Started, then follow the onscreen instructions. When you finish, return to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad, then tap Erase All Content and Settings.
Set up Assistive Access on iPad
The Shared iPad configurations are on the second tab of the settings. Multi-user mode - Enable this to enroll the device in a multi-user mode as Shared iPad. Temporary session only - If this is enabled the users can sign into a device only as guests. Available for devices running iOS version 14.5 and above.
Go back to the Settings app and tap General. Then tap Transfer or Reset [device] and tap Erase All Content and Settings. If asked for your device passcode or Restrictions passcode, enter the passcode. Tap Erase [device].
Set up your iPhone or iPad
They can store music and family photos, or be used to keep up with the news. You can also download audiobooks and podcasts—both excellent options for seniors. Load them up with whatever your aging loved one is interested in, and they'll have something to keep them occupied between family and caregiver visits.
If you want to share purchases or subscriptions with family, use Family Sharing. Each person should use their own Apple Account.
Set up a child's device with Quick Start
Erase iPad using Settings
A factory restore: Erases all data stored on the device, including Face ID and Touch ID data, passcode and passwords, messages, emails, photos, files, media, and more.
With Apple Trade In, you can get great value for your current device and apply it toward a new one, online or at an Apple Store. If your device isn't eligible for credit, we'll recycle it — and any accessories you no longer use — securely and for free.
Resetting the iPad does nothing in completely removing the original owner's Apple account due to Apple's activation lock, which is to prevent stolen/lost devices. Even after you reset it, it will ask for the previous owner's Apple ID again.
Turn on and set up your iPad
You can upload the new account by pressing every file. That's all you need to do to create a new Apple ID without losing the data. To ensure that you don't lose any data while moving the files from one place to another, you'll need to preserve enough storage on the computer.
First of all, it's important to clarify that no iPad model will literally stop working or be unable to power on in 2026. Even the oldest iPad 1st Gen, launched in 2010, can power on and perform basic tasks, such as browsing the Internet.
Never argue, correct, or overwhelm your loved one with dementia; instead, avoid telling them they are wrong, don't bring up upsetting topics like the death of loved ones, and don't treat them like a child or talk down to them, focusing instead on validation and gentle redirection to maintain their dignity and reduce anxiety.
Portability: The Need for Mobility
For those who value mobility and prefer a device that they can easily handle and carry, the iPad is a clear winner. Its slim profile and light weight reduce the physical strain of carrying a heavier device, which can be a significant advantage for older adults.
With Family Sharing, the organizer, a parent, or a guardian can use Quick Start on their iPad to set up a new iPhone or iPad for a child and customize parental controls. You can also set up a device for a child without using Quick Start.
Reset and wipe your iPad
If you're handing down an older iPad that you already own, you should take the time to log out of your important apps and reset the device. You can do that by heading to Settings > General > Reset. Make sure to reset your iPad before giving it to someone else.
Family Sharing lets you and up to five other family members share access to Apple services, eligible purchases, an iCloud storage plan, and more.