Managing your Apple Accounts

Here is some clarity behind the different Apple accounts that you may be managing on your devices, both personally and on school devices.  All accounts are free to set up and do not have to be connected to a payment system, such as a credit card.  The school district has several accounts and will have one that works well for your classroom devices.

Accounts include:
        iTunes
        iCloud
        App Store
        Apple Online Store

	iTunes Account Any item that can be put on an iPad or iPhone comes through this account.  It is free to set up and does not need to be connected to a payment system.  The school district has several accounts running.  You likely have a personal one, as well.  There is no cost to set one up. It is possible to have applications on your iPad or iPhone that are 'owned' by different Apple iTunes accounts.  To change the default account, go to   Settings  ->  iTunes&AppStore If you want to download updates to any iPad applications, you must use the same iTunes account used to 'purchase' the application.  The operating system (iOS) can be updated from any account and should be updated regularly.  'Free' still counts as a purchase with these applications. If you downloaded an application using a personal iTunes account and want to switch it over to a school account, you will need to delete the App off of the device first and then download it through the school account. Updating the iOS (operating system) on your iPad can be done either through  Settings -> Software Update.  However, this does not often work when it is skipping across multiple generations, such as moving from version 6 to version 9. There are some significant changes coming up regarding how applications can be deployed to a group of iPads.  Our setup here for the remainder of the spring will likely change in the fall.  There are also some great classroom management tools being rolled out, as well. If you like to use the built-in Calendar, it can be synced to your laptop Calendar also through iTunes.
	iCloud Account This is highly recommended for all of your personal Apple products.  It is the 'cloud' backup that can be used to back up photos, music, calendar, notes, and many other important files.  It is a very important for mobile devices.  For your desktop or laptop though, you should use some type of external storage device. Since the district has a large number of iPads connected to a single account, it is best to leave this turned off on student devices.
	App Store This store has a large number of free and purchased applications and updates just for your laptop.  It does not have to be connected to a credit card and can be the same as the two accounts listed above.  It may be found by selecting the Apple in the upper left corner of your screen and going to App Store. Our teaching staff does not have access to this right now.  Students do not have access either.
	Apple Online Store For the most part, the store at www.apple.com is the place to go for all of your hardware needs.   Personal items may be purchased through this store.  Hardware requests for your classroom are to be done through your building principal.

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Google and Microsoft function is a similar way with their online stores.   Like Apple, there are a significant number of free applications and tools available.  Google has a App Store built into it's Chrome web browser that you may want to check out.

There is a software request form on the school's website that can be used to request applications for purchase.

There is a lot here to read through.  Let me know if you have any questions about managing your Apple accounts.