We recommend taking a few important steps prior to each event to make setup at the venue smooth and stress-free.
š Our guide on Preparing Your iPad For Public Use includes one-time setup steps to take with each new iPad.
1. Update Your iOS & App
Keeping both your app and iPadOS updated is the best way to avoid unexpected issues.
ā ļø Running the app while on iPadOS 16 or earlier may result in glitchy behavior ā ļø
Check for an iOS update. Your iPad must be running iPadOS 17 or 18.
Check the App Store for an app update.
If you are using Classic, find updates here.
2. Check iPad Storage
Make sure your iPad has at least 5GB of free space.
This gives the app enough room to queue uploads if your connection is slow.
3. Plan Your Power Source
Running Simple Booth draws significant power because the camera and live preview stay active.
Fully charge your iPad before the event
Close all other apps
Bring an Apple-manufactured charging cableāthird-party cords often canāt keep up with power demand during use
4. Plan Your WiFi Network
While the app works offline, you do need internet access to log in and sync your settings.
Bring a wireless hotspot if possibleāvenue WiFi is often unreliable
Once connected, āforgetā all other networks to ensure the iPad stays on the one you intend to use.
5. Sync Your Settings
Sync your settings before you leave for the venue, while connected to a reliable WiFi network. This ensures everything is saved and avoids potential problems at your event.
Ways to sync:
Quit and reopen the app
From your preset settings, use the update button at the top of the page or pull the screen down to refresh.
From Mission Control
š Settings wonāt sync if the venue has a poor internet connection.
6. Take Test Shots
Once your booth and lighting are fully set up, take some test photos to double-check a few things.
Is your backdrop centered and filling the frame? Adjust if needed.
Are the pictures too dark or too bright? Adjust exposure or white balance in your camera settings.
Are pictures sending out in a timely manner? Check your Upload Queue if things seem slow, and see if you can connect to a different network.
Need to tweak settings (like enabling/disabling edit tools)? Make last minute changes to your preset.
Lock the iPadās orientation before launch.
šUsing Test Mode allows you to switch seamlessly between taking pictures and your settingsāeven if Guided Access is already enabled. When you launch into Booth Mode for the event, youāll be prompted to keep or delete any pictures taken during testing.
7. Start a Guided Access Session
Guided Access prevents participants from leaving the booth.
If you havenāt set it up yet, enable it in iPad settings (this is a one-time step)
Start a new Guided Access session right before or after launching into Booth Mode
Once active, the app will loop for participants until you exit via Mission Control or by quitting the app after disabling Guided Access.
At the end of your event, disable Guided Access to exit the booth
šInstructions vary by iPad model. You can also add Guided Access to your Control Center for quick access.
Preflight Check & Permissions
Before launching, the app will run a Preflight Check to catch any required settings or missing permissions.
Required items (like license checks or camera access) must be resolved to launch the booth
Suggestions appear belowāmany of them align with the items in this checklist
