Unlike computers, iPads don’t support multiple accounts on a single device or even a restricted guest account. So when you lend someone your iPad, you’re also giving them complete access to all of your personal content, like messages, emails, address book, etc. That is, until now. With the release of iOS 6, you can turn on the new Guided Access mode or single-app mode to simulate a “guest user” mode.
With this new feature, you can lend your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch to someone without worrying that your personal files will be snooped through. You can lock your device into Safari web browsing only or let someone run a presentation or try a new game knowing your personal content is locked safely away.
How To Turn On Guided Access
- Launch Settings
- Tap General
- Scroll down and tap Accessibility
- Scroll down and tap Guided Access
- Toggle Guided Access to On
- Set a Passcode (one you know you’ll remember — if you don’t set a Passcode right away, iOS will have you set one the first time you use Guided Access)
How To Use Guided Access To Simulate “Guest User” Mode
- Launch any app you want to share
- Triple-click the Home button
- Tap Guided Access on the popup menu
- Configure any specific options you might like
- Tap Start
The Home button will automatically be disabled so that guest user can’t press it to exit the app you’ve let them use and snoop around your device. You can also use your finger to trace a circle around any other control you want disabled. For example, trace around bookmarks so that no one can access your personal bookmarks.
How To Exit Guided Access And Your Simulated “Guest User” Mode
- Triple-click the Home button
- Enter your Passcode
- Tap the End button at the top left
Note: There is one bug that exists in this feature. iOS 6 Guided Access on the iPad has a bug that causes disabled controls to re-enable when the device is rotated from portrait view to landscape or vice versa. However, to prevent this, go into Settings and make the orientation lock accessible only in the fast app switcher (instead of the hardware switch on the side of the device). This will prevent the bug from happening and hopefully Apple will fix this in the next update.
Source and Image Credit: iMore
