Not too long ago, the thought of connecting a Bluetooth mouse, trackpad, or keyboard to an iPad would have left most people very puzzled. But we’re in a new era now—modern iPads running current versions of iPadOS fully support trackpads and mice, and they offer complete compatibility with external keyboards, including numerous keyboard shortcuts and handy features.

If you're interested, you can even put together a simple, budget-friendly iPad desk setup.

Of course, there are some limitations and considerations. But don’t worry—we’ll walk you through everything you need to get started, and more importantly, how to actually use a pointing device instead of your finger, and a physical keyboard instead of the onscreen one, all while using your iPad.

If you’ve already used a mouse or keyboard with your iPad before, this won’t be anything new. This guide is aimed at users who haven't yet connected a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, or trackpad to their iPad and experienced it for themselves.

What You Need to Begin Using a Keyboard, Mouse, or Trackpad with Your iPad

Keyboard: Pretty much every version of iPadOS supports Bluetooth keyboards, so regardless of your iPad model, that’s not going to be a problem. That said, you will still need a Bluetooth keyboard. The Apple Magic Keyboard is an excellent option for this purpose.

Mouse and/or Trackpad: Mouse and trackpad support was introduced with iPadOS 13.4, so as long as your iPad is updated beyond that version, you’re good. Naturally, your iPad must be compatible with that update. For a mouse, you'll need a Bluetooth one—such as the Logitech M535 or the Apple Magic Mouse. If you prefer a trackpad, then the Apple Magic Trackpad is the top choice.

iPad models that support mouse functionality include:

• All iPad Pro models
• iPad Air 2 and newer
• 5th generation iPad and newer
• iPad mini 4 and newer

In short, any recent iPad should work fine.

Assuming you have the right hardware and software updates installed, let's move on to the next step.

How to Connect a Mouse, Trackpad, & Keyboard to an iPad

Ensure your Bluetooth devices have enough battery power to connect successfully.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap “Bluetooth” and make sure it is enabled.
3. Place your mouse, keyboard, or trackpad into pairing/discovery mode. The method varies by device but usually involves holding down a button on the bottom for a few seconds. Refer to its manual if you're unsure how to do this.
4. Keep the iPad and the accessory close together, and tap the name of the device when it appears under “Other Devices.”
5. If you're connecting an Apple-branded device, the pairing is done automatically. Otherwise, you may be asked to enter a passcode—usually listed in the device's manual. If uncertain, try entering 0000.
6. To connect additional devices (keyboard, mouse, trackpad), simply repeat the process for each one.

That's all there is to it. You're now ready to start using your mouse, keyboard, or trackpad with your iPad.

Using both a keyboard and a pointing device significantly enhances the iPad experience, turning it into something closer to a desktop workstation. One of my favorite setups includes an iPad stand, a keyboard, and a mouse—this can be built affordably if you're interested.

Another great option is the iPad Magic Keyboard case with Trackpad, available for the iPad Pro 11″ and 12.9″ models, as well as the latest 11″ iPad Air. This case turns the iPad into a laptop-style device—or even a capable desktop machine. Connecting via this case is even easier: just place the iPad onto the magnetic keyboard case and both the keyboard and trackpad connect instantly without needing to manually pair via Bluetooth.

Now that you’re in the Bluetooth settings, why not pair some speakers? Bluetooth has proven to be surprisingly useful!

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