What’s required to set up Shared iPad?

Shared iPad is a specific deployment mode for institutionally-owned devices that requires a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution. The MDM server is responsible for sending the configuration profile that enables Shared iPad mode on a supervised device. It also integrates with Apple School Manager or Apple Business Manager to manage the required Managed Apple IDs, allocate storage for user partitions, and handle the caching and syncing of user data. Without an MDM solution that explicitly supports this feature, it is not possible to configure, deploy, or manage Shared iPad.

B. Apple Configurator: While Apple Configurator can prepare devices for MDM enrollment, it is not the management framework required for the ongoing operation and user session management of Shared iPad.
C. User Enrollment: This is an MDM enrollment type for personally-owned (BYOD) devices and is incompatible with the device-centric, supervised model required for Shared iPad.
D. A VPN configuration: A VPN provides secure network access and is not a foundational requirement for enabling the core functionality of Shared iPad itself.

1. Apple Platform Deployment Guide: In the section "Shared iPad requirements," the first listed requirement is "An MDM solution that supports Shared iPad." This document further details that the MDM solution handles the deployment of the configuration profile to enable the feature. (Source: Apple Platform Deployment, "Shared iPad requirements," published October 23, 2023).

2. Apple School Manager User Guide: The guide states, "You can use Apple School Manager with your mobile device management (MDM) solution to configure Shared iPad." This highlights the essential link between the Apple service and the MDM for setup. (Source: Apple School Manager User Guide, "Intro to Shared iPad with Apple School Manager," Section: "Shared iPad and MDM," published December 12, 2023).

3. Apple Developer Documentation: The MDM protocol includes a specific SharedDeviceConfiguration payload. The existence and detailed specification of this payload confirm that MDM is the exclusive, programmatic method for enabling and configuring Shared iPad. (Source: Apple Developer Documentation, Device Management > MDM > Payloads > com.apple.shareddeviceconfiguration).