BYOD Chromebook Setup
How to setup a chromebook to student use.
This guide will help you the following steps:
- Step 1: Become the ‘Owner’ of your child’s Chromebook.
- Step 2: Restrict access to certain Google accounts only.
- Step 3: Turn off ‘Guest Mode’.
This is important, so you’re certain that when your child is using their Chromebook on any network, they are signed in with their school Google account or a Family Zone protected personal account. If you do not do this, then they can sign in with an unmanaged account, or as a ‘guest’, and will not be protected.
When you first turn the Chromebook on use your own Parent account to sign in for the first time.
DO NOT give passwords to this account to your child.
If you are using family link you will need to make sure you allow other accounts to sign into the device.
Once your child is given their school account you can restrict the device to only being able to use your child’s school account and their family link account.
Your child will be given a Google for Education Account when they come to school. Please DO NOT set up an unmanaged standard Gmail / Google account for them. Just use their family link account or their school account on the Chromebook.
Please do not have multiple people logged in under your child’s school account.
Step 1: Become the ‘Owner’ of the Chromebook
This is essential, as only the ‘Owner’ of the Chromebook can determine the accounts that can sign into the device. Think of the ‘Owner’ as the administrator of the device.
To become the ‘owner’ account, you must be the first person to sign into the device with a Google account when, the first time the device is used. If you do not have a Google account ( eg someone@gmail.com) you can create one easily by following this link: https://accounts.google.com/SignUp?hl=en
What if my child signed into the Chromebook first?
If someone else (eg your child) was the first Google account to sign in, then THEY will already be the owner.
This problem is easy to fix — simply reset the device by following the instructions linked to below. Then sign in with YOUR Google account username and password. You will then be the ‘owner’ of the Chromebook.
Need to reset the Chromebook?
Follow steps in either option 1 or 2:
Factory reset your Chromebook Option 1: Reset using shortcut keys
1. Sign out of your Chromebook.
2. Press and hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift + r.
3. Select Restart.
4. In the box that appears, select Powerwash > Continue.
5. Follow the steps that appear and sign in with your Google Account. Note: The account you sign in with after you reset your Chromebook will be the owner account.
6. Once you’ve reset your Chromebook: • Follow the onscreen instructions to set up your Chromebook
Option 2: Reset using the Settings menu
1. Sign in to your Chromebook.
2. At the bottom right, select the time.
3. Select Settings.
4. At the bottom, select Advanced.
5. In the “Powerwash” section, select Powerwash > Restart.
6. In the box that appears, select Powerwash > Continue.
7. Follow the steps that appear and sign in with your Google Account. Note: The account you sign in with after you reset your Chromebook will be the owner account. 8. Once you’ve reset your Chromebook: • Follow the onscreen instructions to set up your Chromebook
Taken from: https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/183084?hl=en
Step 2: Restrict access to your child’s school account (and a Family Zone
protected personal account.)
This is necessary so that your child can only sign in with their school-issued, managed Google account and any protected personal account (eg their own personal @gmail.com Google account) you want them to have access to. Please do not do this step until your child’s school has added your child’s school-issued Google account to their device.
Before completing this, make sure you have carried out step 1 above, to become the ‘owner’ account on the Chromebook.
To restrict access so your child can only sign in with their school Google account, complete the following:
1. Add your child’s account to the device using the following instructions. If you have other family members who need to use the device (eg other child, spouse), complete the process again to add each of them so they can sign in as well.
- If you’re signed in to your Chromebook, sign out.
- On the bottom, click Add person.
- Enter the Google Account email address and password, then click Next.
- Follow the steps that appear.
Taken from: https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1059242?hl=en&ref_topic=2586064
2. Restrict sign-in so only those accounts you would like your child to have access to (and your own account) can sign in.
Let only certain people sign in to your Chromebook:
- Sign in to the Chromebook with the owner account.
- At the bottom right, select the time.
- Select Settings .
- In the “People” section, select Manage other people.
- Turn on Restrict sign-in to the following users.
- You’ll see a list of all the Google Accounts on your Chromebook. You can add or remove accounts from this list.
Taken from: https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1059252?hl=en
Step 3: Turn off ‘Guest browsing’
This is important as it means your child must sign in with a known Google account and cannot browse as a guest. If they can browse as a guest, then the Family Zone software will not load and they will not be protected.
Turn off guest browsing
When guest browsing is turned off, users need to sign in with their Google Accounts to use your Chromebook. Learn more about guest browsing.
- If you’re signed in as a guest, sign out.
- Sign in to your Chromebook using the owner account.
- At the bottom right, select the time.
- Select Settings.
- In the “People” section, select Manage other people.
- Turn off Enable Guest browsing.
Taken from: https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1059252?hl=en