4mrhodes
asked on
Is there a way to diable the MAIL program on the iPAD
I want to use the iPad in a school setting where different users, students and teachers, will be using the same device. Is there a way to turn off MAIL - I don't want a teacher to decide to set up an account and then later a student to read her mail. I can tell them not to do it, but I want a way to lock it down so they can't do it.
Under settings and restrictions, MAIL is not one of the built-in apps you can remove (anyone know why that is?- I am trying to keep a positive attitude that Apple has a logical reason for why they would have a 'parent control' feature where you can turn off the camera, or safari, or installing of apps, etc - but not include MAIL).
When looking at the restrictions you can restrict anyone from making account changes in the mail, calendars, contacts area of settings - which is a perfectly good solution except when I restrict this with no email acount set up (which does make it where I cannot set up an email account from settings) I am prompted to set up an email account when I open MAIL and that account sets up with no problem. Argh. - Hopefully this just a developer oversight that Apple will fix in an update - I mean, why allow restricting account changes, but then still prompt for account setup on launch - I know that would work when you have an account and just don't want anyone making changes or adding more accounts but seriously if someone understands the why you can't restrict it completely, please explain.
Is there another way of restricting access to the MAIL program that I am missing?
I guess I could set up a dummy account that just auto rejects/deltes all email and doesn't allow sending email either or connecting to calendars, etc. - then use that account with changes to account settings restricted - but I would prefer a way to just turn off the MAIL app. (I haven't tested the dummy account solution yet)
Under settings and restrictions, MAIL is not one of the built-in apps you can remove (anyone know why that is?- I am trying to keep a positive attitude that Apple has a logical reason for why they would have a 'parent control' feature where you can turn off the camera, or safari, or installing of apps, etc - but not include MAIL).
When looking at the restrictions you can restrict anyone from making account changes in the mail, calendars, contacts area of settings - which is a perfectly good solution except when I restrict this with no email acount set up (which does make it where I cannot set up an email account from settings) I am prompted to set up an email account when I open MAIL and that account sets up with no problem. Argh. - Hopefully this just a developer oversight that Apple will fix in an update - I mean, why allow restricting account changes, but then still prompt for account setup on launch - I know that would work when you have an account and just don't want anyone making changes or adding more accounts but seriously if someone understands the why you can't restrict it completely, please explain.
Is there another way of restricting access to the MAIL program that I am missing?
I guess I could set up a dummy account that just auto rejects/deltes all email and doesn't allow sending email either or connecting to calendars, etc. - then use that account with changes to account settings restricted - but I would prefer a way to just turn off the MAIL app. (I haven't tested the dummy account solution yet)
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ASKER
@jonahzonah - thanks, since I am looking for a solution for deploying these in a school Cydia apps are not an option - I'll update my question to reflect that.
ASKER
In expansion on the dummy account work around - though would still like it if someone could give me a way to turn-off/disable MAIL
A little more work, but this could be slick ... "embrace the MAIL app instead of getting rid of it"
set up an individual email account for every iPad (use the serial number or your inventory code, something that would allow you to identify the device from the email it sends, etc.) - then set up each iPad to use its own email account. The next part is a new feature configurable in Exchange 2010 (which is what we run - though it is likely possible in other systems or with a bit more work) - use transport rules so email can only be sent and received from your help desk email address (assuming you have one - we do).
Link for congiguring the mailboxes: http://blogs.technet.com/b
Now if any user opens mail they can only communicate with tech support and no one else - a built-in contact support function.
- or you could restrict to also allow sending between certain groups of iPad devices - I could see that as being helpful (or problematic) in some lab environment. - or some other helpful scenerio or restricted mail use.
(also, sorry if giving a solution to my own question is tacky - I tried just editing the question and adding it there after I already added the comment with plans to then delete the comment - but i don't see a way to delete a comment)
A little more work, but this could be slick ... "embrace the MAIL app instead of getting rid of it"
set up an individual email account for every iPad (use the serial number or your inventory code, something that would allow you to identify the device from the email it sends, etc.) - then set up each iPad to use its own email account. The next part is a new feature configurable in Exchange 2010 (which is what we run - though it is likely possible in other systems or with a bit more work) - use transport rules so email can only be sent and received from your help desk email address (assuming you have one - we do).
Link for congiguring the mailboxes: http://blogs.technet.com/b
Now if any user opens mail they can only communicate with tech support and no one else - a built-in contact support function.
- or you could restrict to also allow sending between certain groups of iPad devices - I could see that as being helpful (or problematic) in some lab environment. - or some other helpful scenerio or restricted mail use.
(also, sorry if giving a solution to my own question is tacky - I tried just editing the question and adding it there after I already added the comment with plans to then delete the comment - but i don't see a way to delete a comment)
Parental Restrictions:
Settings -> General --> Restrictions --> Enable Restrictions
Under "Allow Changes" tap "Accounts" and then "Don't Allow Changes"
Settings -> General --> Restrictions --> Enable Restrictions
Under "Allow Changes" tap "Accounts" and then "Don't Allow Changes"
ASKER
@joshbula: Please read question - thanks
"When looking at the restrictions you can restrict anyone from making account changes in the mail, calendars, contacts area of settings - which is a perfectly good solution except when I restrict this with no email acount set up (which does make it where I cannot set up an email account from settings) I am prompted to set up an email account when I open MAIL and that account sets up with no problem."
"When looking at the restrictions you can restrict anyone from making account changes in the mail, calendars, contacts area of settings - which is a perfectly good solution except when I restrict this with no email acount set up (which does make it where I cannot set up an email account from settings) I am prompted to set up an email account when I open MAIL and that account sets up with no problem."
4MrHodes
Did you ever come up with a solution?
Did you ever come up with a solution?
ASKER
From everything I have read and tested - there isn't a great solution. I looked into management software such as Jamf as well - but though they give you the ability to centrally manage settings, it does not expand upon what can be manged, turned off, etc. - The restriction settings do allow for you to lock the account settings, but that only works if there is an account set up - so I would either have to set up a dummy account that really send or receive email - or I could set up some special accounts to make the email a support tool or communication tool with-in the lab environment.
I am pretty confident, short of a change from Apple, there is no other work around.
I am pretty confident, short of a change from Apple, there is no other work around.
ASKER
Though it didn't help me with my situation - and I think the work around I outlined is the way other schools worried about this should go - this is the most accurate solution.
Short of Jailbreaking the system, there is currently no way to disable the built-in Mail program on the iOS.
Short of Jailbreaking the system, there is currently no way to disable the built-in Mail program on the iOS.
ASKER