How to use a mouse or trackpad with your iPhone or iPad

In iPadOS 13.4, your devices gain the ability to use mice and external trackpads. This pointer device support gets closer than ever to turning your iPad into a full laptop replacement. It feels like Apple has turned pointing devices into first-class citizens on the iPad.

Here's how to get set up and using a mouse or trackpad with your iPad.

How to pair a mouse or trackpad to your iPad

First thing you'll want to do is connect your mouse or trackpad to your iPad. You can use a wire, but that's just a simple matter of plugging it in. For pairing a Bluetooth mouse or trackpad, such as the Magic Trackpad 2, here's what you do.

  1. Put your mouse or trackpad into pairing mode by following the manufacturer's procedure.
  2. Open Settings on your iPad.
  3. Tap Bluetooth.

  4. Tap your mouse or trackpad under Other Devices.

    Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, tap your mouse/trackpadSource: iMore

Your pointing device will now be paired with your iPad.

How to manage pointer settings on iPad

Once you're mouse or trackpad is connected, you can manage some of the available settings.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap General if Settings doesn't open on that tab.

  3. Tap Trackpad or Trackpad & Mouse (depending on what pointer device is connected.

    Open Settings, tap General, tap Trackpad or Trackpad & MouseSource: iMore

  4. Drag the slider to change the tracking speed of your pointing device.

  5. Tap the switch next to Natural Scrolling to turn natural scrolling (scroll down by swiping up, scroll up by swiping down, basically, the way scrolling works when you're touching your iPad's screen with your fingers) on or off.

    Drag slider, tap switchSource: iMore

  6. Tap the switch next to Tap to Click if it's available to enable or disable that feature. Generally only present for trackpads.

  7. Tap the switch next to Two Finger Secondary Click if it's available to enable or disable that feature.

    Tap the Tap to Click switch, tap Two Finger Secondary Click switchSource: iMore

Questions?

Let us know in the comments if you have any questions about turning on and using a mouse with your iPhone or iPad.

iOS

Main

HomeKit