Last week, Apple unveiled the new spec-bumped iPad Pros, Magic Keyboard, and cursor support for iPadOS. I’ve been using mouse support on the iPad since it was introduced as an assistive touch feature with iPadOS 13. I also have updated to the newest Beta code to test out the new pointer functionality on my iPad Pro 11-inch.

Having used it for just a short time, I think the pointer support is amazing. It is slightly different than any of us are probably used to, but I’m excited to see how this transforms how I use my iPad over time.

Using a Mouse on iPadOS 13

Using the mouse on the iPad before iPadOS 13.4 was awkward but do-able. The pointer didn’t really act like a mouse, it acted like a digital finger on the screen. You would need to click and hold at the bottom of the screen and drag the mouse up to get to the home screen. Some web pages made you click and drag to move it around as well.

Using the mouse worked, but it wasn’t the easiest thing to use. It was far from the easiest thing to set up, and you had to turn things off and on every time you used a mouse. I had a shortcut set up that would help, but it was still a pain.

But then last week, Apple announced they were going to make it more mainstream.

Using a Pointer on iPadOS 13.4

So what’s so great about using a pointer on a touch device?

That’s a loaded question. Honestly, most people probably won’t need to use a pointer on their iPad. The Operating System has already been built where all you really need is a finger.

Some people like myself love the iPad for a myriad of other reasons though. I love my 2018 11-inch iPad Pro because it is so versatile. I use my iPad Pro every day to read, surf the internet, write, and make videos when I have time. It feels like a device that can possibly do anything.

The iPad is such a great device because it is so versatile. You can hold the tablet like a book and read or turn it sideways and play a game. If you attach it to a keyboard, it gets even easier to type on. It makes the iPad like a more portable laptop (if you can get around the limitations that are slowly fading on the iPad).

Now, Apple has added true pointer support for use with a mouse or trackpad to any iPad that can run iPadOS.

It’s pretty simple. Once you attach a mouse to the iPad, you’ll see a small circular dot on the screen. That’s the new pointer. No more arrow. Just like it has in the past, Apple has forged ahead with a new design. But that design works.

If you move the cursor towards something the iPad knows it can interact with, the pointer snaps to it. For example, when you near an app icon, the pointer jumps to the app and surrounds it. It is actually very clear what you are selecting. Not all apps are updated, but Apple has added support for developers, so expect to see it coming to more apps soon.

But that’s not all, getting around the interface with a pointer works well too. If you want to bring up the dock, simply move the pointer to the bottom of the screen and keep going. The dock will pop up. The same happens with the Slide-Over window by going past the right side of the iPad screen.

Placing the cursor on the battery percentage or wifi icon will allow you to click to bring down Control Center. Click on the time and you get Notification Center.

The pointer morphs as you select things and it works really well. Everything in general just feels smooth and well thought out on the iPad. Dragging apps to start multitasking sessions go much quicker than they did before because you don’t have to wait for a second before you drag.

Wrangling Text

Dealing with text has never been a pleasant experience on the iPad – or any iOS device really). If you are using the on-screen keyboard, you can use the tech tip of using two fingers to scroll and select, but typing on a glass surface isn’t the best.

The newer cursor on the iPad makes dealing with text as easy as dealing with it on a Mac.

Just like with icons, the cursor magically adjusts text when it senses it. It allows you to move the cursor with ease or highlight text. This is probably the most transformative element of using a mouse.

If you’re a writer that loves the iPad, as I am, I think you love the new pointer system.

Magic Mouse 1 on iPadOS13.4

Starting with some sad news, the Magic Mouse 1 doesn’t work that well with the iPadOS 13.4 Beta. There’s no telling right now if that will change or not when the official release comes out this week.

Last summer, when I installed the Beta of iPadOS 13 on my iPad, one of the first things I did was attach my Magic Mouse 1. I had it laying around from my first iMac which I had sold a few years ago. As I mentioned above, the mouse worked for what it was. I’m pretty sure that the scrolling function of the mouse was in there for the most part.

On the Gold Master version of the iPadOS 13.4 beta – the release that will bring true mouse and trackpad support to the iPad- you can still use the Magic Mouse, but none of the touch functionality will be there. That means you can still use the mouse to move the cursor or select text or buttons. Other than that though, the connection is limited. You can’t scroll a page or use any of the multitouch gestures.

Previously, you’d be able to at least click on a page and drag to scroll, but that functionality is now gone. Now, when you try this, it just highlights the text on the page.

If this is the only mouse you have, you might wait to see what is truly supported in the final release or start looking for another mouse.

Magic Mouse 2

This has been the sweet spot for me. I disconnected my newer Magic Mouse from my iMac and attached it to my iPad. Scrolling works perfectly. It feels like you are working on a more Mac with a newer design. Of course, if your workflow doesn’t work on the iPad, this won’t change it.

Scrolling through webpages, selecting text, everything felt great with this mouse. If the release drops and Magic Mouse 1 support is still bad, I will probably think about investing in a new Space Grey Magic Mouse.

One thing to note though, gestures still didn’t work on the Magic Mouse 2. The only gesture that worked for me was swiping left and right through webpage history.

If you want full gesture support, you’ll want to look into the Magic Trackpad.

Magic Trackpad

If you like trackpads, you’ll be happy that the Magictrack Pad works wonderfully on the iPad. Gestures to get to new apps or get the app switcher work just as advertised.

I think this will really shine when the Magic Keyboard with trackpad comes out in May. Sure it is going to be an expensive addition to have for an iPad, and many people could get away with a mouse and Keyboard Folio. But a floating iPad just looks to cool!

Final Thoughts

I really love the new combination of an iPad and a mouse. I like it so much that I canceled my order for a new MacBook Air. As much as I like the new MacBook Air, the iPad has really taken over as my go-to device. I use it more than any other computer in my house.

I think that this addition to iPadOS will help drive the evolution of the iPad. As it keeps hurtling towards the future, I really see it as the future of Apple’s portable devices. We keep clamoring for an ARM mac, but we already have a device that works just as well. It just needs to keep pushing forward like this.

I have high hopes for what Apple has planned for iPadOS 14 and the future of the iPad.