is the original magic trackpad compatible with macbook pro 2021? How can I make it work?

I had to put the 1st gen Magic Trackpad in to “Pairing” mode, where the tiny green LED blinks, and the use System Preferences-> Bluetooth to pair with my Macs.

Since the 2 Macs sit side by side, I had to tell the Mac that was connected, to “Disconnect”, before I could put the Magic Trackpad into Pairing mode again, as once paired, it automatically connects to the paired Mac if in Bluetooth range.

Otherwise, I did nothing special.

You don't need to install anything. It connects via Bluetooth so turn the trackpad on then open System Preferences > Bluetooth & wait for it to appear in the list. You may need to charge the trackpad.

Magic Trackpad - Technical Specifications

What have you already tried?

See the no-Lightning-port section here:

…Set up your Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, or Magic Trackpad with your Mac - Apple Support

In particular, try a new battery.

Failing that, see:

…If you can't connect your Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, or Magic Trackpad to your Mac - Apple Support

Peggy wrote:

You may need to charge the trackpad.

Note: The original Magic Trackpad uses a AA battery. Which can be a rechargeable AA battery, but that then requires a separate battery charger and swapping batteries. There is no means to recharge the AA battery incorporated within the original Magic Trackpad. For testing, I’d try a standard, fresh, AA battery.

I have successfully connected my 1st gen Magic Trackpad (Christmas present 2010) to:

• my Company 2021 14" MacBook Pro M1 Pro
• my Personal 2021 16" MacBook Pro M1 Max

I used the 1st gen Magic Trackpad every work day from Christmas 2010 until the Magic Trackpad II came out.

Now I use the 1st gen Magic Trackpad when I need to have 2 desks setup in different locations, or as an emergency backup trackpad.

boxofwishes wrote:

Did yours connect automatically or did you have to download something specific to make it work?

Support for Magic Mouse is built into macOS. There re no downloads, no updates, nothing other than Bluetooth pairing.

My original Magic Trackpad works with my 2019 16 in MBP.

The compatibility problem I faced a couple of years back was finding an extra Magic trackpads that still worked with my 2011 MBP, before all of the original trackpads disappeared from everywhere except Amazon. The new Magic Trackpads cannot work with older systems like my 2011, not the other way around.