iCloud – how to setup your account

The MUST list:

  • you MUST use your MDS email address
  • you MUST use your Moodle password [or if your moodle password is missing a number, add 1871 to the end of it. Ask Mr. Rule is you don’t know the significance of that date.]

The WHY list:

  • because it will allow restoring your data if your iPad has to be wiped [MUCH faster and easier than the alternative]
  • because you can use Find My iPad when [not “if”] you misplace your iPad [saving many headaches]

The HOW List:

On your iPad:

  • Settings –> iCloud
  • Create an account
  • Type in your birthday
  • Use an existing email [NOT an iCloud email]
  • Set the email address and password – remember, MDS email address, moodle password
  • Answer the security questions.
  • DO NOT setup a rescue email.
  • Open your email – look for an email from Apple, It will ask you to click on a link, Do so to complete the process.
  • Back in the Settings app –> iCloud, it should say your name and your MDS email address at the top.
  • Confirm the Find My iPad is turned ON.
  • Confirm Backup is Turned ON.
  • Start a Backup. Seriously. Right now.

 

These instructions were from memory, and so might be a tad off. Use your common sense if/when reality diverges from this list.

Save Your Data! [what to do after your iPad gets wiped]

Here’s what you need to MAKE SURE gets setup after your iPad gets wiped – or better yet, BEFORE something happens  to your iPad.

The Short List

  1. iCloud signed in to your MDS email address
  2. iCloud Backup ON
  3. Google Drive – signed in, Pix auto-backup
  4. Notability – backing up to Google Drive
  5. Setup Email

The Detailed List

iCloud

This will make it faster to setup your iPad in case of a disaster.

  • Settings –> iCloud
  • Make sure you are signed in. You should see YOUR MDS EMAIL at the top. If you have used a different email address, CHANGE IT NOW. If you want to know why, ask Mr. Rule.
  • Turn iCloud Backup ON – and start a backup.

 

Google Drive

Automatically backup your pictures and videos after you take them.

  • Sign in to Google Drive
  • Look for the 3 stacked lines, top left. [It’s called a “hamburger menu”].
  • Click it.
  • Select Settings…..
  • Select Photos
  • Turn ON both sliders at the top [Use Google Photos folder, Autobackup].
  • Sometimes the “Google Photos” option is grayed out. I don’t know why. Let me know if you figure it out.

 

Notability

Automatically back up everything in Notability to a folder on Google Drive.

  • Fire up Notability
  • Bottom Left corner – click the gear icon [settings]
  • AutoBackup
  • Google Drive
  • Login
  • Give it permission

 

Setup Email

  • Settings –>Email
  • Add new account
  • It’s a GOOGLE account
  • Fill in the fields – should be easy to figure out.
  • When you get to the screen with 4 sliders – turn all 4 of them green, then hit SAVE

My iPad isn’t working – no email, no printing, no web surfing

Problem: If your iPad all of a sudden stops working oncampus, it is most likely because your subscription to the network has expired.

It MUST be renewed every 30 days.

Symptoms: no email access, can’t print, can’t surf the web, but the wireless icon is still active.

Solution:

  • Open up a web browser window.
  • Surf to an OFF-CAMPUS website you’ve never visited before. Perhaps HamSandwichTees.com,  or ShadowSoundStudio.com, or Macon.com… well, you get the idea. It MUST be off-campus, and MUST be somewhere you’ve never visited before.
  •  You SHOULD see the “login here” splash screen.

 

Notes, Tips, Hints, & Answers