Apple Explains How to Connect and Use a Bluetooth Mouse or Trackpad With iPad

Wednesday March 25, 2020 9:10 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple has shared two new support documents that outline how to connect and use a Bluetooth mouse or trackpad with compatible iPad models, including all iPad Pro models, the iPad Air 2 or later, the fifth-generation iPad or later, and the iPad mini 4 or later.

ios13 ipad pro settings accessibility pointer control customize
Connecting a Bluetooth mouse, standalone trackpad, or keyboard with a built-in trackpad to an iPad requires iPadOS 13.4, released Tuesday. Apple's own Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad 2, and Magic Mouse 2 can be used, as can third-party options like Logitech's new trackpad keyboards for the 10.5-inch iPad Air and 10.2-inch iPad.

Apple explains how to connect and disconnect Bluetooth accessories, adjust mouse and trackpad settings, customize the cursor, and more.

Apple will be releasing its own Magic Keyboard case with a built-in trackpad in May for 2018 and later iPad Pro models, and we have put together a guide with everything you need to know. Ahead of time, we've also shared a hands-on video showing how trackpad functionality works on an iPad Pro using Apple's Magic Trackpad 2.

When available, the Magic Keyboard case will cost $299 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and $349 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro in the United States.

Related Forum: iOS 13

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Top Rated Comments

Feyl

42 months ago

What’s the point of supporting Magic Mouse 1 and Magic Trackpad 1 if scrolling doesn’t work? Especially if the devices are exactly the same as the "newer” generation. At least I don’t see any difference between them beyond the charging method.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

brucewayne

To pretend that there is some technical reason why those features are somehow incompatible with iPadOS, while trying to create the appearance that they really really did try superhard to make it work.

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

dmylrea

Have they fixed the scrolling direction issue? This is one of the things I hate about Apple and their annoying arrogance, their "natural scrolling" doesn't feel natural to everybody and they don't give you the option to customize it.

You mean turning it off (and reversing the natural direction)? The option is certainly there in iPadOS 13.4.

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

darkslide29

I'm liking the way they implemented the cursor on iOS. Perhaps things to come for future macOS or Mac/iPad OS integration.

What I'm not liking is $299 for a trackpad/keyboard, maybe $199.

The $299 price is steep for sure. But since so many (myself included) were willing to pay $179 for the current keyboard folio, improving the keyboard plus backlight, adding a trackpad and the other smaller things probably does warrant a more than $20 increase. But don't get me wrong, I'd love it at $199.

viss