How to Use Helperbird on iPad in the Classroom

Before You Start

Helperbird needs to be installed and enabled in Safari on the iPad before students can use it. If your school uses managed iPads through Jamf or Apple School Manager, your IT admin can deploy Helperbird to all devices at once. For individual setup, see our guides on how to download Helperbird for iPad and how to enable Helperbird in Safari.

Managed Settings for iPad and iPhone

For step-by-step IT setup, follow the iPhone and iPad managed app configuration guide. Fleets using ManagedApp on iOS or iPadOS 18.4 and later can use the declarative MDM guide.

This section is for your school's IT administrator. Use a signed Helperbird Apple build with the 2026.9.6 managed-configuration support and test it on enrolled devices before rolling it out. App installation, Safari extension permissions, and Helperbird settings are separate tasks.

The policy builder creates the files for both supported delivery routes. Safari accepts the same Helperbird policy keys as Chrome and Edge, including subscription keys, disabled features, excluded sites, toolbar defaults, and read-aloud highlighting. Features unavailable on iOS remain unavailable.

Managed App Configuration: Distribute Helperbird as a managed app through your MDM. In the builder, choose the iPhone/iPad App Configuration plist and apply it to the containing app, com.helperbird.Helperbird. Use its flat dictionary, without Google's Value wrappers or an extra com.apple.configuration.managed wrapper.

Open the Helperbird app after the configuration arrives, then open its Safari extension. Repeat this after a policy update or removal: opening only the Safari popup does not forward legacy App Configuration changes. This route's snapshot expires after seven days without the app refreshing it, so plan for the app to be opened periodically.

Declarative management on iOS/iPadOS 18.4 or later: If your MDM supports ManagedApp extension configuration, use the builder's advanced DDM output with a privately hosted plist data asset. The generated JSON is an ExtensionConfigs fragment, not an installable profile or complete declaration. It must be incorporated into your managed-app deployment, targeting com.helperbird.Helperbird.Extension (LR6Z77X624) for the Helperbird release build. This route delivers configuration to the extension without the legacy app-opening step. Follow Jamf's ManagedApp setup guidance (opens in a new tab) and verify the signing identifier for your build.

Use one delivery route per deployment. A Mac .mobileconfig is not a substitute for either iOS route, and sending an App Configuration plist to a phone as a file does not apply managed app settings.

Set isAdminControl to the boolean true to apply policy. Set it to false to release management. A missing or empty subKey releases managed licensing only, while other policy settings remain active. Subscription keys still require validation. floatingButton is a default users can change; to block the toolbar, enable disableFeatures and include FloatingButton.

After deployment, check Billing and a configured restriction in Safari, then test a policy change and removal. Keep files containing your subscription key private. See managed deployment troubleshooting if a configuration does not arrive.

Opening Helperbird on iPad

1. Open Safari and go to any website or online assignment
2. Tap the puzzle piece icon in the address bar at the top of the screen
3. Tap Helperbird from the list of extensions
4. The Helperbird panel will open, make sure the main toggle is turned on (green)

Students will see all available features listed in the panel. Settings are saved automatically, so students only need to set up their preferences once.

Features That Work Great in the Classroom

Here are the most useful features for students on classroom iPads:

Text-to-Speech: Reads any text on the page aloud. Helpful for students with reading difficulties, visual impairments, or anyone who learns better by listening. Students can select text and have it read to them while following along.

Dyslexia Fonts: Switches the page font to OpenDyslexic or other dyslexia-friendly fonts. Makes reading easier for students with dyslexia without changing the page content.

Reading Mode: Strips away ads, sidebars, and distractions so students can focus on the main content. Especially useful when reading articles or online textbooks.

Immersive Reader: Opens text in Microsoft Immersive Reader with syllable breaks, line focus, and picture dictionary. Great for younger readers or English language learners.

Translate: Translates page text into any of 64 languages. Helpful for multilingual classrooms and ELL students.

Overlay Tint: Adds a colored overlay to the screen to reduce visual stress. Students can choose the color that works best for them.

Font Size and Spacing: Increases text size, line height, word spacing, and letter spacing to make content easier to read on the iPad screen.

Using Helperbird in Split View

iPads support Split View, which lets students have two apps open side by side. This is useful for:

• Having Safari with Helperbird open on one side and a note-taking app on the other
• Reading an article with accessibility features on one side while writing an assignment on the other
• Comparing two web pages with Helperbird features active on both

To use Split View, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the Dock, then drag a second app to the left or right edge of the screen.

Tips for Teachers

• Set it up once - Have students configure their preferred settings during a dedicated setup time. Settings save automatically and persist across sessions.
• Start simple - Introduce one or two features at a time, like text-to-speech and reading mode, before showing students the full feature set.
• Encourage customization - Every student's needs are different. Let students explore and find the combination of features that helps them most.
• Use with Google Classroom - Helperbird works on Google Classroom, Google Docs, and other web-based tools students use in Safari.
• Check the admin options - If your school has a Helperbird Unlimited license, administrators can pre-configure features and lock certain settings across all devices. See our admin deployment guide for details.

Need Additional Help?

If you have questions about using Helperbird on iPads in your classroom or school, reach out to our Helperbird support team. We are happy to help with setup, deployment, and getting students started.