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How Can I Secure Files On an iPad Used Solely As a Photo Album?

I have recently demoted an older iPad for use as a digital photo album. It’s running iPadOS 16.2, and I am using the mac Photos app for storing, cataloging and displaying the photos. I am using the iCloud photos function to keep the library up to date on all my devices, including the one used as a photos album. My problem is that in using iCloud Drive for the documents folder and the desktop, I am also needfully making all the files in my files there accessible to anyone I allow to browse the photo album. I know that I can, for instance, make my Documents folder an encrypted disk image, requiring a login to access it, but I don’t want to complicate access to my documents on other devices. So, my question is whether anyone has an idea how I might hide or disguise iCloud Drive files on just the photo album iPad, other than creating a new app folder with “Files” and something else, giving the folder an obscure name and burying it deep. Thanks.
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Ron B.

Comments: 2 Responses to “How Can I Secure Files On an iPad Used Solely As a Photo Album?”

    1 year ago

    Sounds like you don't want the iCloud Drive files there at all, right? If so, just go to Settings, tap on your Apple ID, and then look for iCloud. Then look for iCloud Drive and turn it off. Then iCloud Drive won't even be on that iPad at all.

    Of course if you are allowing people to use that iPad you are opening yourself up for them simply turning it on again. So don't let someone you don't trust use it. You could go a step further and use Screen Time and restrict people from using the Files app completely. Might as well add every app you can to that list expect Photos, right?

    Ron B.
    1 year ago

    Thanks, Gary. I see that now, and appreciate the reminder to turn other apps off. Keeping my users from inadvertently stumbling across Files and whatnot is all I will need.

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