Setting up an iPad as an always-on family display

A spare iPad makes a great always-on dashboard / digital picture frame for the kids dashboard. Here's how to set it up so the screen stays on, dims appropriately, and doesn't wander off to other apps.

What you need

• An iPad (any iPad model from the last several years works).
• A USB-C or Lightning charger that can stay plugged in continuously.
• A wall mount, table stand, or shelf for the iPad's final home.
• Wi-Fi.

Step-by-step setup

1. Keep the screen from sleeping

By default, iPads dim and lock after 2 minutes of inactivity — not what you want for a wall display.

• Settings → Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock → Never.
• When plugged in, the iPad will stay awake indefinitely.

2. Lower brightness for ambient display

A wall iPad doesn't need full brightness — it'll just be glare in the room.

• Settings → Display & Brightness → slide brightness down to about 30-50%.
• Turn ON Auto-Brightness so the screen dims further at night automatically.

3. Disable Screen Time-Out reminders

If you have Screen Time set up for the family account:

• Settings → Screen Time → temporarily remove this iPad from any "downtime" schedule, or create a separate Apple ID just for this iPad (recommended for shared family displays).

4. Pair the iPad with MemoryBank

• Open Safari (or your preferred browser).
• Go to mymemorybank.app/kids.
• Enter the 6-digit code you generate at /dashboard/pair — OR scan the QR code that appears with your phone and approve it from there.

5. Use Guided Access to lock the iPad to MemoryBank (recommended)

Guided Access prevents anyone from leaving the dashboard app — no one can swipe away, open a different app, or change settings.

• Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access → ON.
• Set a passcode (you'll use this to exit Guided Access).
• Open Safari to mymemorybank.app/kids.
• Triple-click the side button (or top button on older iPads) to start Guided Access.
• Tap Start. The iPad is now locked to MemoryBank.
• Triple-click + enter the passcode to exit when you need to.

6. (Optional) Add the dashboard to the Home Screen

Before locking with Guided Access:

• In Safari, tap the Share icon.
• Pick Add to Home Screen.
• Name it "MemoryBank Kids" — you'll get a tappable icon that opens straight to the dashboard in full-screen mode (no Safari chrome).

Wall-mount tips

• Use a charger with a flat right-angle plug so the cord sits flush against the wall.
• Hide the cable with cable channels or run it inside the wall if you're comfortable with that.
• Aim for eye level (or slightly below) so kids can actually see and read it.

Heat and battery health

iPads kept plugged in 24/7 do eventually wear their battery faster than typical use. A few mitigations:

• iPadOS 15+ has Optimized Battery Charging — leave it ON (Settings → Battery). It holds the battery at ~80% most of the time when plugged in.
• Don't enclose the iPad in a sealed case — let it dissipate heat.
• A 5-year-old iPad with a degraded battery still works fine as a plugged-in display.

When the screen blanks anyway

Two common causes:

• Auto-Lock somehow flipped back to a timeout. Re-check Settings → Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock.
• Low Power Mode is on. Turn it off (Settings → Battery). Low Power Mode dims the screen and re-enables auto-lock.

Screensaver mode

The kids dashboard has a built-in screensaver that fades to family photos after inactivity. Configure the timeout from the gear icon on the kid dashboard itself (minimum 5 minutes). Combined with Auto-Lock: Never on the iPad side, you get a true always-on photo frame that shows the dashboard during interaction and family photos at rest.