iPad and Chromebook Care and Safety
iPads and Chromebooks should remain with the student they are assigned to in order to engage in remote learning. If there is a change in the student's residence during the school year, the device should remain with the student, and should be used primarily inside the residence to prevent unnecessary damage. However, should a student change schools, the device should be returned to the school that provided it to the student. If a device is still needed, the family should request a device from the student’s new school.
If your child has been issued an iPad with an asset tag (silver sticker with barcode) starting with DOE-ARST, the iPad should remain with the student throughout their time enrolled in NYC Public Schools. If a student with one of these devices transfers schools, the device should remain with the student. If the student transfers out of NYC Public Schools entirely, the device should be returned to the school they are exiting the system from.
Families will not be held accountable for accidental damage through normal use, but please exercise caution and common sense to protect your school issued device. iPads must be installed in the case provided. You should be using your device primarily indoors for schoolwork and it must be secured in the case when you travel with it.
In the case of damage, families should bring the broken or non- functioning iPad or Chromebook to their school for examination and repair or replacement where possible.
When distributing devices, schools should ensure that the Student Device Loan Agreement (available above) is signed by parents and by students (for students in grades 6-12).
Help with a Broken iPad or Device
The Device or Apps Fixes page has how-tos and guidance for fixing some of the most common iPad or device issues.
If your student's device is broken and cannot be fixed by troubleshooting, please return the device to your child's school.
Available Apps
See the full list of apps that have been added to DOE Devices
You will not be able to access the app store or download any additional apps. If there is an app you need, talk to your teacher or principal.
Signing In to Apps
- For all Microsoft apps, you should sign in with your DOE student account.
- For all Google or G Suite apps, sign in with your DOE student account or the Google address your school may have given you already.
- You cannot use your personal Apple ID. Your iPad is for educational--not personal--use only.
Using Multiple Accounts in Google Classroom
You can switch between your @nycstudents.net account and your school-specific G Suite domain account in Google Classroom. Here's how:
- Open the Google Classroom app.
- Sign in with one of your two accounts.
- If you sign in with your @nycstudents.net account first, you will be prompted to verify your account credentials. Please follow all prompts.
- Once you successfully sign into Google Classroom, you will see a colored circle with your first initial in the upper right corner. Click on the circle.
- Click Add another account.
- Enter account credentials for your second account.
Technical Support
- If you don't find the answer to your question in SupportHub, you can fill out a ticket and an agent will contact you
- You can also call the DOE Service Desk at 718-935-5100.
- If the device is broken or not functioning, bring it to your school and the school will help you get the device examined and repaired or replaced where possible
- All NYCPS iPads include three years of AppleCare+ coverage with two incidents of accidental damage per device per year.
- All NYCPS Chromebooks include three years of in-warranty coverage.
iPad and Chromebook Returns
Learn how to return your DOE-loaned device when you leave or graduate from a DOE school or program.