For many iOS deployment projects, iTunes is used as the primary deployment vehicle for the devices. iTunes can be used to “Backup” and “Restore” an iPad, similar to how you image desktop and laptop computers.
The actual deployment process is straight forward. First we’ll create a backup in iTunes. Then we can deploy the backup using the Restore option within iTunes. Provided the backup is encrypted, the Restore option will maintain the maximum amount of data available. For example, if a device has been activated then the fact that it has been activated is maintained across a restore. As are the applications that are installed on the device.
Create iTunes Backup
To Create an iTunes Backup:
- Open iTunes and dock the device with the master configuration.
- Check the box to “Encrypt local backup.”
- At the Set Password screen, provide a password for the encrypted backup.
- In order to ease restore, check the box for “Remember this password in my keychain (passwords are set to user names).
- Control-click on the name of the device in the DEVICES section.
- Click on “Back up”.
- If prompted, click Set Password (subsequent backups will not require passwords).
Restoring with iTunes
To Restore an iTunes Backup:
- Open iTunes and dock the device to be restored.
- Control-click on the device.
- Click “Restore from Backup”
- At the “Restore From Backup” screen, select the name used in the previous backup.
- Click Restore.
- If prompted, enter the Password.
- Rename the iPad once the restore process is complete.
- Once the Restore is complete, if prompted to “Set Up Your iPad”, uncheck the Automatically sync songs and videos to my iPad box and “Automatically sync apps to my iPad”, putting the students Active Directory name in the Name field and clicking Done
