ipad restrictions wont work

So in late Oct/Nov I bought my twins apple iPads I've never owned an apple device myself nor do I want to now when in store the bloke I spoke to I explained what I needed and why ie special needs kids and what they were to be used for he asked me if I had a apple device and I told him no he told me that they'd have to set up with my email and that they'd work fine with restrictions though he did run off a few times asking questions about things but was adamant they'd work fine but they haven't we've had them in four times to the store due to restrictions because I was finding things he shouldn't be accessing and three lengthy phone calls as one child in particular has even managed to set up an adult tiktok account posting videos of his family thankfully I was able to remove most and deleted the app but in doing so realising that it's not hiding apps it's not locked out my account stuff that was set to not allow is on the tablets and I've checked settings so question is if the store cannot fully secure and fix whatever is going on with these tablets can I get a refund to add they were set up with my name/email as they are just turned 10yr they have severe learning difficulties and major lack of understanding as to why they can't do this stuff all which we explained and why we wanted something we could completely secure now I'm being told we need a 3rd device to child proof the other two and I'm ****** if I'm paying out for something I don't want just to secure something the bloke in the shop told me would be secured!!

iPad, iPadOS 18

Posted on Apr 7, 2025 9:32 AM

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Posted on Apr 7, 2025 10:08 AM

It was difficult to understand everything in you long train of thought but if I may summarize,

  • You purchased iPads for your twins.
  • You wish to put restrictions on them.
  • You do not own an Apple device. You do not have an Apple Account.


The link below explains how Family Sharing works. I hope it offers some light for you. Personally, I do not use Family Sharing but one of the volunteer experts will probably step in to answer the question: Can an adult set up and control Family Sharing if they do not own an Apple device.


Set up Family Sharing - Apple Support


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Apr 7, 2025 10:08 AM in response to Fairy94

It was difficult to understand everything in you long train of thought but if I may summarize,

  • You purchased iPads for your twins.
  • You wish to put restrictions on them.
  • You do not own an Apple device. You do not have an Apple Account.


The link below explains how Family Sharing works. I hope it offers some light for you. Personally, I do not use Family Sharing but one of the volunteer experts will probably step in to answer the question: Can an adult set up and control Family Sharing if they do not own an Apple device.


Set up Family Sharing - Apple Support


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Apr 8, 2025 6:41 AM in response to Fairy94

Hi, I’m sorry for your experience and I’m sure that’s not what your in store experience was meant to be.


Given your very difficult and confusing posts it’s very difficult to read and also comprehend exactly what the issue(s) is. Sorry, but look at your post. Lacking punctuation and paragraphs it’s very difficult to read and also comprehend. Again my apologies. 😢


I think you best path forward is to discuss your expectations and poor customer experience you’ve with a store manager. A manager will best be able to improve your experience and partner you with the best store team member to provide assistance and hopefully resolve the issues confronting you and your twins.


Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple



[Edited by Moderator]

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Apr 7, 2025 11:48 AM in response to Fairy94

It is very clear that you are not going to be able to lock the kids' iPads down unless you use Family Sharing.


In order to use Family Sharing, an adult has to set it up on a separate Apple device. Otherwise, the kids are on an adult account which cannot be locked down.


My advice ... sell them after you remove the account. At this point, they are not going to work as you want them to.


If your daughter wants to address her issues, have her post separately, please.

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Apr 7, 2025 2:22 PM in response to Fairy94

I will not say the store lied to you. It is important for you to understand that it was extremely difficult to understand from your posts exactly what happened. I had to guess. Your posts were difficult to read and to reply to. And given the circumstances, I question if you truly understood what they were trying to explain.


I hope you get satisfaction.

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Apr 7, 2025 10:47 AM in response to Carol B.

No I asked how secure they were told them my needs for them aka education as they have no school and for games etc when out I told them that due to issues with my eldest and things we'd had happen I needed them to be completely locked down they told me they would be only reason I bought them on buying them they told me that they could not set up for the kids as not old enough and would need an adult profile fine use mine but they said that I could restrict them fine it's what I wanted then they started trying to sell me a third device at this point my kids are tearing at my sleeves and running around the shop I told them no I did not wish to purchase anything else that almost 3k was more than enough I just wanted help setting them up as I'd never had one in turn they went back in four times due to finding stuff they shouldn't have had and told each time they were fine. I've tried to keep watching but my eldest has been a nightmare we've all been very unwell with covid twice and I did lapse then yesterday one of my sons was doing video's and I discovered he had uploaded them to tiktok which I removed straight away but on further investigation realising even the main account profile was wide open apps that are meant to be hidden are visible stuff they shouldn't be able to access nor see was visible after six hours on the phone the tech told me that in all likelihood that the reason they are not working is because my account is on them not a child account to actually fully secure I need a third device which I refuse point blank to buy I do not want nor need another device I'm quite happy with the phone I have! Six hours of going through everything only to pick the tablet back up and switch the screen on to see it and done exactly the same thing again showing items that should be locked down giving access to things that again show locked down. Apps I'd removed or hidden back on the tablets. Three phones calls and now all I'm told is they won't be secure as my name's on it I cannot do family share as they were bought for the kids not myself and I cannot and will not spend money I do not have to buy a device just to make these flipping things work! I feel like I've been completely mis sold them solely to get the money! And no consideration given as to what I was actually looking for and need for the kids! And to add my family once bought my daughter (now and adult) a tablet and she was a disaster on it wed connect to email she'd change the emails we tried to monitor she'd move somewhere else she ended up putting our information on the dark web she ended up being a victim of fraud and we had not only the police but social services at the door I told them all this I told them we needed something we fully controlled and we have not been sold that which is very clear considering we are now all over tiktok!! Which I am now trying to get sorted out. But as we've had them a few months I've no idea on where we stand going in to the shop which we are doing this week and kids will not be getting them back till we've gotten answers!

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Apr 7, 2025 1:39 PM in response to Fairy94

So the store lied to me then when they sold me the devices? They knew I didn't have another apple device because they asked me that! When they told me they would be fine and work like that it was a load of rubbish.

I cannot and will not justify buying a third device of any kind just to get the

two to work. Thank you for clarifying this I will make sure they see this response when I go in to the store on Thursday.

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ipad restrictions wont work

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