Apple's Magic Trackpad, including the Magic Trackpad 2, can be connected to your iPad, offering a new way to interact with your device. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to use the Magic Trackpad with your iPad.
Connecting the Magic Trackpad to your iPad
Pairing the Magic Trackpad
Ensure your Magic Trackpad is turned on and fully charged. On your iPad, navigate to Settings > Bluetooth and turn on Bluetooth. Your Magic Trackpad should appear in the 'Other Devices' list. Select it to pair. If your Magic Trackpad is already paired with a Mac or another iPad, you'll need to unpair them first.
On an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you can unpair a Bluetooth device by following the instructions provided in the device's settings. On macOS Ventura, go to Apple menu > System Settings, click Bluetooth in the sidebar, Control-click the device, and choose 'Forget'. On macOS 12.5 or earlier, go to Apple menu > System Preferences, click Bluetooth, Control-click the device, and click 'Remove'.
Reconnecting the Magic Trackpad
Your Magic Trackpad will disconnect if you turn its switch to Off or if you move it or your iPad out of Bluetooth range (about 33 feet or 10 meters). To reconnect, turn the trackpad switch to On, or bring the trackpad and iPad back into range, then click the trackpad.
Navigating your iPad with the Magic Trackpad
Here are some key tips for getting around your iPad with the Magic Trackpad:
- Access the app dock by dragging the cursor off the bottom of the screen.
- Open Control Center by moving the cursor to the top-right corner of the iPad's screen, where the battery indicator is, and click.
- View your notifications by dragging the mouse cursor to the top of the screen and either clicking on the time or keep moving the cursor as if you're trying to go past the screen's edge.
- Access apps in Slide Over view by dragging the mouse cursor to the right side of the screen, then continue to drag it.
- Quickly switch between Slide Over apps by swiping in either direction with three fingers.
Using the Magic Trackpad 2 with your iPad
The Magic Trackpad 2 unlocks all the gestures that make navigating your iPad a breeze. Here are some gestures you can use:
- Unlock the iPad by tapping on the trackpad, then swiping up with three fingers to reveal the home screen.
- Right-click by pushing down with two fingers.
- Scroll up, down, left, or right with two fingers.
- Return to the home screen by swiping up on the trackpad with three fingers.
- View the app switcher with a three-finger swipe up, but pausing halfway.
- Force close apps from the app switch by moving the cursor to the app and swiping up with two fingers.
- Switch between home screens by swiping to the left with two fingers.
- Access the Today View on the home screen with a swipe to the right using two fingers.
- Quickly switch between apps by swiping left or right with three fingers.
- Open search with a two-finger swipe down on the home screen.
Remember, while you can use a third-party trackpad or the original Magic Trackpad for basic tasks, to get the most out of the iPad's trackpad support, you'll want to use Apple's Magic Trackpad 2. Some gestures, like scrolling, work on both, but others do not. The results will be mixed when using these gestures on a non-Apple trackpad.
