While some people wouldn’t find it necessary to use a wireless mouse on an iPad, there are actually situations in which this could be a lifesaver. For instance, if you are tired of holding your iPad and want to operate it hands-free, a wireless mouse will come in handy. However, can you use a wireless mouse with an iPad?
Can You Use a Wireless Mouse with an iPad?
Yes, you can use a wireless mouse with an iPad. When Apple released the iPadOS 13, it announced that the new operating system was coming with support for mice. You can connect a wireless mouse to your iPad using either Bluetooth or an RF dongle.
In this guide, you will learn how the whole process works and how to easily operate your iPad with a mouse using the two methods.
How a Wireless Mouse Works on an iPad
When Apple added support for a wireless mouse to its iPad, many people wondered whether it would work the same way it does with a standard laptop. While the general mechanism is the same, there is a slight difference when using a mouse on an iPad.
For instance, if you want to select text on a regular computer using a mouse, you simply move the pointer over the text then click and drag. On an iPad, you will need to first double click then drag the marker to select the text.
It is also worth noting that the operating system of the iPad does not work differently when using a mouse. The iPadOS remains entirely touch-based even after the inclusion of support for mice.
How to Connect a Wireless Mouse to Your iPad
Depending on the mechanism of the mouse, you can connect it to your iPad using either Bluetooth or an RF dongle.
Here is how to quickly implement each method
How to Connect a Wireless Mouse to Your iPad Using Bluetooth
Before initiating the connection, make sure that the mouse has sufficient charge and is within a reasonable distance from your iPad.
Next, follow these steps to start using it with the iPad.
- Go to Settings, click on Accessibility, and then choose the Touch option
- Tap on the AssistiveTouch to toggle it on
- Next, scroll down to the Pointer Devices and then tap on Devices
- Under Devices, tap on Bluetooth Devices to initiate the pairing process
- On your wireless mouse, turn on the pairing mode to make it discoverable
- When the name of the mouse appears under Bluetooth Devices, tap on it to connect and start using
If the mouse cannot connect, double-check to ensure that you followed the procedure correctly. You can also try turning the mouse off and back on. Since Apple doesn’t make it clear which specific mice models are compatible with iPadOS 13, the process will largely be trial and error.
How to Connect a Wireless Mouse with a Dongle
Dongles work the same way as USB chords. However, unlike cables, the dongle uses a radio frequency to establish a connection between the iPad and the mouse. The dongle and mouse are already paired so your job will be connecting it to the iPad. This makes the whole process as straightforward as connecting a wired mouse.
Here is how to do exactly that:
- Insert the dongle into the iPad’s USB port
- Connect the Lightning jack to the iPadOS device
- Turn on the wireless mouse
- On your iPad, open Settings then go to Accessibility and tap on Touch
- Tap on AssistiveTouch to toggle it on
You are ready to start using your Mouse! If you can’t get it to work, make sure that the mouse has power and is within range. Dongles use short radio frequencies so ensure that the mouse is not too far away.
Once the mouse has been connected to the iPad, you will see a cursor on the screen. It is usually a finger-sized circle.
Configuring the Mouse
You can configure your mouse to take advantage of some features for top performance. To do this, go to Settings, tap on Accessibility, choose Touch then AssistiveTouch.
Under AssistiveTouch, two settings are of interest. These are:
- Tracking Speed which enables you to make the pointer more or less responsive to input.
- Pointer Style which allows tweaking the color and size of the pointer
Which is the Best Mouse for an iPad?
Apple doesn’t make it clear which mice are compatible with iPadOS 13. You will need to test out a few options until you find one that works best with your iPad. However, most USB and Bluetooth mice will work with any iPad that has mouse support so this is not something you should worry too much about.
You don’t necessarily have to use Apple Mice. Those from other brands such as HP can also work with the iPad. However, for better compatibility, we recommend, you stick to Apple mice.
Conclusion
You might not often need to use a wireless mouse with an iPad. However, when you want to operate the iPad hands-free, knowing how to connect the mouse is ideal. This guide will hopefully help you set up your mouse using either Bluetooth or a USB dongle and configure it for maximum performance.
