How can I make my iPad safe without turning off safari (and losing my bookmarks!)

[Maddiebean]

My children use my iPad. I've set up a safe browser for them but I don't want to turn off safari because I have loads of stuff bookmarked on it. How can I prevent them using it? Is it possible to set up a password? I am happy to use another browser like mercury which will password protect but then am I able to transfer my bookmarks? Can anyone help? There must be lots of parents out there who want their iPads usable by themselves and their children!

 

[wytey]

Go into general, restrictions, turn it on, it should then ask for a password, then turn off safari, thus removing the icon until you turn it back on again.

 

[dhewson777]

The bookmarks should back-up to iCloud, so you can disable Safari and re-enable it at a later date with your bookmarks intact.

 

[KevinJS]

There is a new feature in iOS 6, which should be exactly what you need. However, I have tested it, and it doesn't appear to work as it should. I'll tell you about it anyway, and you can make the decision as to whether you want to use it.

Go to Settings/General/Accessibility/Guided Access.

This feature enables you to lock the iPad into one app. The only way out is to triple tap the home button and supply a password. The home button and moving between apps using gestures is disabled.

However, and here is the problem, I have found that the iPad becomes unresponsive to the triple tap, and will not allow you to input the password to return to normal. The only alternative is to hold home and power buttons for about 20 seconds until the device reboots. This is not what Apple had in mind, but it means that you are not permanently locked out, if your home button loses response.

 

[twerppoet]

However, and here is the problem, I have found that the iPad becomes unresponsive to the triple tap, and will not allow you to input the password to return to normal. The only alternative is to hold home and power buttons for about 20 seconds until the device reboots. This is not what Apple had in mind, but it means that you are not permanently locked out, if your home button loses response.

I wonder. Do you have Accessibility set to the triple click? Maybe it causes a conflict.

I could probably test it myself, but. . .

 

[KevinJS]

I wonder. Do you have Accessibility set to the triple click? Maybe it causes a conflict.

I could probably test it myself, but. . .

No. Triple-Click is turned off.

 

[twerppoet]

No. Triple-Click is turned off.

Oh well, no cookies for me.

Wait! I really do have cookies here. I'll have to think of some other penalty, less drastic.

 

[KevinJS]

I've adjusted the triple click speed, but haven't checked it out yet to see if it makes any difference.