I want my daughter to be able to contact me over FaceTime if she needs me while I'm out running an errand. Her iPad is currently signed in with my Apple Account, so she can't easily FaceTime my phone. Is there a way to give her a separate account for FaceTime without losing the apps, games, and other content already on the iPad? We also have an iMac and possibly an older iPhone available, but I'd prefer a solution that doesn't require paying for cellular service.
3 Answers
The best long-term setup is to sign out of your Apple Account on the iPad and create a separate child account for her. You can then use Family Sharing to manage purchases and parental controls while allowing her to use FaceTime with her own identity. Before signing out, make sure anything important is backed up and check which apps or data are tied specifically to your account.
If you don’t need video, a child-focused Wi-Fi calling device could be simpler. Some basic devices let you control exactly who can call, work without a cellular plan through Wi-Fi or their own setup, and avoid giving access to a full tablet or phone. Otherwise, an old iPhone connected to Wi-Fi can work for FaceTime once it has its own Apple Account.
Each person should have their own Apple Account, especially when a device is being used regularly by a child. Signing out doesn’t necessarily mean all local content disappears, but the iPad may ask whether you want to keep certain data, and content purchased through your account may still require your account for updates. A backup and a careful review of the sign-out prompts are important.
That’s what I’m worried about—will signing out erase everything currently stored on the iPad?