iPads in Nursing: How to back up and reset student iPads

Upon graduation, students in the Morrison School of Nursing are allowed to keep their St. Thomas-issued iPads. As ownership of the iPads transfers to each student, ITS removes each device from our management system. Before devices are removed from our management system, it is important to make sure that both the devices and any critical data within students' apps is backed up. Once a device is removed from our management system, Apple recommends that the devices are completely reset and set up as new devices.

Follow the steps outlined below to sync or back up data to iCloud, save content to cloud services, to perform a complete backup of your device, and to reset your device.

How to sync or back up data to iCloud for specific apps

Many apps allow you to sync or back up data directly to your iCloud account. All Apple IDs come with 5GB of free storage in iCloud. You may find that you need more than 5GB of iCloud storage to back up all of your content. You may purchase additional storage from Apple by visiting the iCloud+ webpage.

NOTE: If you previously created an Apple ID using your St. Thomas email address, you will need to create a new Apple ID using a separate account. Your St. Thomas account will be decommissioned 365 days after graduation, and you will then lose access to your Apple ID associated with it.

Here are some links to guides for backing up content from common apps used on the St. Thomas Nursing iPads. If you have questions about backing up data from apps not listed here, check the app developer's webpage. You may also submit a request for help using the "Click to Request Service" button above.

• Files
  • Set up iCloud Drive on iPad - Apple Support
• Notability
  • Syncing Notes across Devices with iCloud – Notability (gingerlabs.com)
  • Auto-Backup Guide – Notability (gingerlabs.com)
• Photos
  • Use iCloud Photos on iPad - Apple Support
• Keynote, Numbers, and Pages
  • Use iCloud Drive with Keynote on iPad - Apple Support
  • Use iCloud with Numbers on iPad - Apple Support
  • Use iCloud Drive with Pages on iPad - Apple Support
• Other 3rd-party apps
  • Set up iCloud for third-party apps on all your devices - Apple Support

Save files to OneDrive or another cloud storage provider

If you prefer something other than iCloud, you may also use the Files app to connect to various cloud storage providers, such as OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. This should allow you to copy files stored locally on your iPad to your desired cloud storage provider.

• Transfer files using an external storage device, a file server, or a cloud storage service on iPad - Apple Support

If you are graduating, please note that you will need to transfer content from your St. Thomas-provided OneDrive account before your account is decommissioned.

How to perform a complete backup of your iPad

Have you backed up all of your important files to iCloud or another cloud service? You may still want to perform a complete backup of your iPad before it is reset.

See the guide available from Apple on how to back up your iPad to iCloud or to a Mac or PC:

• Back up iPad - Apple Support

How to reset your iPad

Once you have backed up all important content, it is recommended that you reset your iPad so that it can be set up cleanly without any ties to St. Thomas' management service.

Follow the guide available at Apple Support to erase your iPad:

• Erase iPad - Apple Support

Set up your iPad as a new device

Once you have erased your iPad, do not set it up again using a previous device backup. Doing so will reinstall the St. Thomas management service on your iPad.

Instead, set up your iPad as a new device. You may then sign into the device using your Apple ID, install any apps you need from the App Store, and enable iCloud for apps, as needed, to access previously synced content.

When setting up your device again, if you receive a message that the University of St. Thomas will manage your device, please contact us to make sure your device has been properly removed from our system.