There are two ways that you can sync multiple tablets:
- Plug each tablet into the computer individually
- Get a device which allows you to plug in multiple tablets
As you can probably guess, the former takes an awfully long time. Say you have 15 tablets which all need to be synced with the same data, doing each one individually is a long, laborious task. However, there is a way around this. In order to successfully sync multiple tablets at once, there are two things you need (other than the tablets themselves and a host computer that is): hardware and software.
Software
Let’s start with the software side of things. If the tablets in question are iPads, things are a lot easier as there is one piece of software which is readily available and commonly used. This is Apple Configurator which runs on Macs. If you do not have a Mac, then don’t worry, you can still manage your iPads through a piece of software called iPhone Configuration Utility (iPCU). I know the name implies it only works with iPhones, but it does work with iPads and iPod Touches as well. iPCU is essentially a reduced version of the Apple Configurator. Although you can install configuration profiles and apps on the iPads, you can not supervise them or back them up. Unlike Apple Configurator, iPCU does not let you synchronously apply settings to multiple iPads. Furthermore, iPCU has not been updated in over a year for Macs and more like 2 years for Windows. Therefore, I’d probably advise biting the bullet and getting a Mac so that you can use Apple Configurator.
Apple Configurator vs. iPhone Configuration Utility
|
|
Apple Configurator |
iPCU |
| Can create iOS configuration profiles |
YES |
YES |
| Can automatically update iOS and configuration profiles |
YES |
NO |
| Can backup devices |
YES |
NO |
| Can apply configuration profiles and apps to multiple iPads at once |
YES |
NO |
| Can run on Windows |
NO |
YES |
| Configuration profiles can be password protected to prevent removal |
YES |
NO |
| Can Supervise iPads |
YES |
NO |
| Range of configuration profile options available |
All Options |
Limited Options |
If you’re using a tablet which runs on Android, things start to get a bit more complicated. Unlike with Apple, there is not one singular piece of software that is the only one which can be used. Having scoured the internet, there is no piece of software which really jumps out as the obvious choice. If you’re using apps from Google Play, if you go into My Apps page, select the app, click on the button that says “Install” or “Installed” and then select the device which you want to install it on. If it’s files that need to be synced across multiple devices, you can just copy them across as you would on a memory stick. If you know of a good piece of software which allows you to sync multiple tablets, please let us know and we’ll try and test it.
Source: Cambrionix (by Kirsten Thompson)