An iPad is about the most comfortable way to use a cam site. The screen is big and bright, the speakers are decent and there’s nothing to install. We’ll go from the first tap to your first token purchase, one step at a time, with no rush.

We’re using Stripchat as the example because its tablet layout is especially clear. The steps are almost the same on Chaturbate, LiveJasmin and the rest of our beginner recommendations.

What you’ll need

  • Your iPad, on Wi-Fi.
  • A separate email address for the account. If you don’t have one, make a free one first.
  • An idea for a username that doesn’t give away who you are.
  • If you’ll be buying tokens, the card you’ve decided to use. See paying discreetly.

1. Open a private tab in Safari

  1. Open Safari.
  2. Tap the tabs button (two overlapping squares), at the top or bottom of the screen.
  3. Tap Private, then +.

The Safari bar goes dark. That means you’re in private mode and nothing you visit here goes into your history. More in keeping your browsing private.

2. Go to the site

Type the address into the bar yourself, stripchat.com for instance, and tap Go. Don’t use links from ads or emails (here’s why).

You’ll be asked to confirm you’re over 18. In some states you’ll also have to verify your age.

3. Have a look around

You don’t need an account to browse. Tap a thumbnail to go into a room, and turn the iPad sideways to get a bigger picture with the chat next to it.

If there’s no sound, tap the speaker icon on the video (it’s often muted at first), try the volume buttons on the side, and make sure silent mode is off.

4. Make your free account

  1. Tap Sign Up or Join Free.
  2. Type in your separate email address.
  3. Pick a neutral username, nothing with your name, birth year or hometown in it.
  4. Make up a strong password. If Safari offers to save it and other people use the iPad, tap Not Now.
  5. Open your email and tap the confirmation link.

No card at this point.

5. A few settings

Have a look in your account settings for these:

  • Notifications. Switch off the email newsletters.
  • Privacy. Some sites let you hide your activity or tip anonymously.
  • Two-factor authentication. Turn it on if it’s there.

6. Tokens, when you’re ready

  1. Tap Buy Tokens (on Chaturbate it’s called Get More).
  2. Pick the smallest pack.
  3. Read the checkout page, and untick any extra box, like a membership or auto-refill.
  4. Make a note of the billing name shown near the Pay button.
  5. Put in your card details and confirm.

The tokens should show up in your balance almost immediately. Tokens explained has what they’re worth.

7. When you’ve finished

Close the private tab. Tap the tabs button and close it with the ✕.

You can bookmark the site in private mode if you want to find it easily next time, but bookmarks show up in Safari’s bookmarks list, so don’t on a shared iPad.

Sharing your iPad or Apple ID

  • Stick to private tabs. They don’t sync to iCloud.
  • See whether Safari history syncs: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Safari.
  • Skip Add to Home Screen. It puts a visible icon on the iPad.
  • Screen Time (Settings > Screen Time) lets you lock some settings behind a passcode if the grandchildren use the iPad, and it can block adult websites when they do.

You’re all set, and you know how to keep it private. Next up: what an evening really costs.