I need to use a mouse with my ipad pro. What gives?

GrinNBarrett wrote:

Because the question that is asked is a valid need. Many responses dismiss the need out of hand and with a shocking dismay of "Why would you want a mouse on an iPad?" The all-knowing Jobs (5 years ago) didn't see a need.

Times have morphed and so has the competition. There is a need. Dismissive replies to a valid question is equally disrespectful.

I'm just responding with sarcasm because it is stunning how so many people believe that there is only one way to think about things relating to Apple tools/devices.

I neither dismissed the need or judged it. I was stating that, at this time, if the need is to use a mouse, that need cannot be met by an iPad.

That fact that you are unhappy with the way the iPad works doesn't give you license to take out that unhappiness on other people. No one here made the iPad or its operating system. No one here can change it.

What responses are dismissing the need for a mouse? There aren't even any that that say a mouse on an iPad would be bad or should not exist ever.

Most reponses only point out that the iPad has no mouse support, and Apple has made it clear they are not interested in adding mouse support to it.

If the need for a mouse is so pressing, there are other products that can fulfill that need from Apple and many other manufacturers. Why does it have to be the iPad and no other device will do?

Why is this need for a mouse only limited to a single device? Why is having mouse support on a computer not enough?

I don't see people getting angry because A Corvette cannot go off road? Or a fridge does not toast bread?

You use the tool that fits your needs. If you absolutely need to use a mouse, choose a device that has a mouse.

If Apple does not make a device that fits your needs, you are entirely free to choose a device from a different manufacturer that does.

We cannot change what Apple does. You can provide Apple feedback about it at: Feedback - iPad - Apple

They read it and may decide to add support in the future. Or they may stick to their guns and not add it.

Complaining to us is not going to change this.

Kzoom wrote:

"They have always been, from day one, purely touch devices"...which is why they have had an interface for an external keyboard from Day One? Because typing on a featureless piece of glass eliminates the ability of touch typing, and is therefore inherently slower and less productive? And therefore, won't sell?

Same idea with a mouse versus my finger. There's a time and place for using each. I've used desktops (which Apple still supplies with a mouse), Android tablets (mouse and keyboard, no prob) and iPads, both Pro and Mini (using my fingers to locate and move text.)

It's just easier and, especially, faster to locate and move text using a mouse. It's far more precise than a finger, both to land and to use to highlight a block of text. I can't see through my finger, so I either must wait for the circle to magnify what/where I'm 'touching', find the cursor in that circle, then adjust my finger, or I must make the font large enough that I can hit the right location without waiting for the OS to catch up. Of course, this costs content space, as this reduces the amount of on-screen text by a factor of three or so.

There are other failings of the no-mouse idea. I can think of two more just now. But the idea that a half-inch wide hunk of oily meat, pressed to a piece of featureless glass is a substitute for the precisely designed cursor a mouse generates for the sole purpose of locating a single point on a screen is ludicrous.

Hmmm...

I learned the tools given to me from the very introduction of the iPad.

I forced myself from the beginning to learn to use the built-in iOS keyboard.

I have been using iPad software, virtual keyboards since the first iPad in 2010.

I’ve managed to become pretty fast and proficient using it for many years and I have gotten even faster with word/vocabulary suggestions being activated as my iPad has, over the many years, learned most of my common vocabulary words and I also, utilise keyboard phrase shortcuts to type short phrases to type out whole sentences and/or short paragraphs.

By using the software keyboard, I have, also, made extensive use of iOS’s software keyboard trackpad feature that turns the entire iOS software keyboard area into a giant trackpad that controls the iOS insertion point "I" beam cursor by doing a two-finger single tap to activate this trackpad feature that has been part of iOS since iOS 9.

You can place insertion "I" beam anywhere you want, then use the delete key to delete a letter and/or replace a letter in a word.

If you use two-finger double tap within the keyboard area, you can highlight words, lines of text or entire paragraphs for editing.

Another even more powerful third party software keyboard I use, also, with iOS default virtual keyboard is a software keyboard called Padkeys.

PadKeys - Number Row Keyboard by Natural Designs Software, Inc.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/padkeys-number-row-keyboard/id975022995?mt=8

https://padkeyskeyboard.com/

Padkeys adds a lot easier and quicker access to commonly used symbols and offers the addition of separate I-beam navigation keys, as well as a great array of other useful keyboard features.

Even though I have a separate Bluetooth keyboard, I hardly use it as it is noisy and I have to set up my iPad in a way to be able to use the keyboard in my lap.

It is just faster, convenient and easier for me just to use the built-in iOS virtual software keyboard and I don’t have to lug around any extra hardware other than a stylus or two in my pocket or iPad/laptop carry case for sketching/drawing/writng.

GrinNBarrett wrote:

Because the question that is asked is a valid need. Many responses dismiss the need out of hand and with a shocking dismay of "Why would you want a mouse on an iPad?" The all-knowing Jobs (5 years ago) didn't see a need.

Times have morphed and so has the competition. There is a need. Dismissive replies to a valid question is equally disrespectful.

I'm just responding with sarcasm because it is stunning how so many people believe that there is only one way to think about things relating to Apple tools/devices.

Nobody is questioning an individual user’s concept of “need”. Individual users “needs” or wants (as many people treat them equivalent when they are not) do not inherently translate into a company’s change in response. Nor do individuals needs or wants translate into a widely agreed upon need or want.

But the answer remains that iOS does not support a mouse. iOS has never supported a mouse. iOS was designed from the ground up to not support a mouse. And there is no evidence nor indication that iOS will ever support a mouse.

Nor is there any evidence that any significant proportion of iOS users cares one wit about a mouse in iOS.

Then you need to convince Apple that you are correct and they are wrong. I have no horse in this race. I nether want nor care about mouse support in iOS. So not only do I disagree with your analysis of the situation, I couldn’t do anything about it if I cared to.

But in 10 years now, iOS has not supported a mouse and until or if Apple ever offers that, this whole debate here is pointless. The answer to “can I use a mouse in iOS” is no. Other than for a very few Remote Desktop connection apps during a remote connection session.

If Apple ever changes that fact, I’ll change my reply to such posts here.

If you had read any of this thread, you’d have noted people are NOT asking about solely using a mouse in Remote Desktop sessions. They want native mouse support in iOS and iOS Apps themselves. And that does not exist and your solution doesn’t address that.

Your solution for Remote Desktop sessions has been referenced in this thread numerous times, but other than a remote desktop session, it does not address the question people have posed in this thread.

GrinNBarrett wrote:

No. Apple is ONLY about profit and not about helping keep it's most loyal power users happy.

Yes, so, if there were enough people to make it profitable to make a touch screen device with a mouse, they would. Obviously, there aren't. It's not going to happen any time in the immediate future. Buy something that meets your needs now. Another place to apply logic: buying choices.

John Scott1 wrote:

Yeah, I would be happy with some sort of input device support. Even a TouchPad or Mighty Mouse exclusive. Would certainly improve productivity for myself. I guess this is the separation Apple defines between iPad’s and Mac’s. You want the pointing device buy a Mac. You want more portability buy a iPad. I use a BT keyboard with my iPad and the only thing holding it back as a notebook replacement is the lack of mouse support.

Then tell Apple what you want.

Product Feedback - Apple

Then tell Apple. Telling us serves no purpose. We are just users like yourself.

Use the following form to let Apple know about your requirements for their devices: Feedback - iPad - Apple

Otherwise, find a product that suits your needs and use that. There is nothing wrong with accepting reality, and using a product that fits your specific needs even if its not made by Apple.

It is clear, at least to me, that after 8 years of making iPads, Apple has no intention of adding mouse support to it.

You have posted here in the past.

If you have read all of my previous responses, just not the ones where I respond to you, I have mentioned three alternatives to the iOS mouse issue.

In addition to the use of the Apple Pencil/third party stylii, here's the three other alternatives to getting around the “old school” mouse/trackpad issue.

1. Using trackpad feature of the native, iOS software keyboard, which is still with us as of iOS 12.

2. Use of another third party software keyboard that incorporates a set of “I-beam” cursor navigation arrows.

3. Use of a more capable, external, third party, Bluetooth keyboard that also, incorporates a set of “I-beam” cursor navigation arrows to be able to move around a document or spreadsheet program.

Alternatives exist.

Shah-ram wrote:

Hi,

The answer to the question why ipad does not have the cursor is so simple. Simply during development they forget about the using mouse. There was no thought about external keyboard or replacing it with laptop. Now it will be quite costly for them to change the structure and software. There is no other logic description for this act as “just forgott”.

Hope this explanation helps those who are try to figure why but why. Even though it does not support mouse they are doing grest in the market. Big key is right advertisment technique.

Did you ever actually watch the 2007 MacWorld Keynote when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone? The video is available online, and a transcript exits too - http://www.european-rhetoric.com/analyses/ikeynote-analysis-iphone/transcript-20 07/. I’ll save you reading the whole thing and just quote the relevant part (with my bold):

Well, how do you solve this?

Hmm. It turns out, we have solved it! [0:32:27]

We solved it in computers 20 years ago. We solved it with a bit-mapped screen that could display anything we want. Put any user interface up. And a pointing device. We solved it with the mouse. Right?

We solved this problem. So how’re we gonna take this to a mobile device?

What we gonna do is get rid of all these buttons and just make a giant screen.

A giant screen. [0:32:54]

Now, how are we gonna communicate this? We don’t wanna carry around a mouse, right?

So what are we gonna do? Oh, a stylus, right?

We’re gonna use a stylus.

No. No. Who wants a stylus?

You have to get em and put em away, and you lose em. Yuck.

Nobody wants a stylus. So let’s not use a stylus.

We’re gonna use the best pointing device in the world. We’re gonna use a pointing device that we’re all born with – we’re born with ten of them. We’re gonna use our fingers.

We’re gonna touch this with our fingers. And we have invented a new technology called multi-touch, which is phenomenal. [0:33:33]

It works like magic.

You don’t need a stylus. It’s far more accurate than any touch display that’s ever been shipped.

It ignores unintended touches, it’s super-smart.

You can do multi-finger gestures on it.

And boy, have we patented it. [0:33:54]

Apple didn’t forget anything when they designed the iPhone and iOS. They have always have been very clear, unambiguous and explicit that it was designed, from the very concept, to be a touch interface only operating system and family of devices.

A mouse would be very helpful in using the IPad. Possibly Apple is afraid that adding a mouse would compete adversely to the sale of Mac Air? Just a thought. I know that you could use a mouse with the Citrix app which I have done and made the IPad more user friendly

Just a thought

d

Because it’s Apple’s operating system and they’ve chosen not to include mouse support with it. Other than that, there is nothing any of we mere users here can really say. You’d need to contact Apple Corporate and ask them.

You bought a device powered by an operating system where the owner and developer of that OS has made certain design decisions that they have consistently stuck to. If those don’t meet your needs, wants, desires or expectations, then buy something that does. Clearly Apple does not agree with you that iOS needs mouse support. It never has since its inception and as I said, there is no evidence that Apple has any interest in changing that.

For Remote Desktop sessions specifically, there are third party solutions. Why Apple doesn’t offer one is again something you’d need to ask Apple about. Apparently, they don’t see any profit in it, or I’m sure they’d have done so, or bought up somebody like Citrix.

Not true, unless you hacked your device. iOS itself has never natively supported a mouse, with any iPad, ever.

Citrix mouse, with their Remote Desktop iOS app, works to drive the mouse in the remote device. That’s something specific they’ve adapted to their iOS app only.

And bear in mind this entire thread is not about just using a mouse in a Remote Desktop session. It’s about using a mouse in iOS and with all iOS apps. That does not exist and never has.

People seem to have selective reading and/or listening. At no time did Apple (as far as I can find anywhere) say iPad Pro is a laptop replacement.

Really? Did you bother to watch Apple's own keynote for the 2018 iPad Pro?

They did say, it is as powerful as a laptop (it is). They did it is as fast (in many cases faster) than a laptop (it is). They said the resolution of the display exceeds the resolution of most laptops (it does). They never said it is a laptop or provide all the functionality of a laptop.

Oh, okay, you did watch the keynote. You simply parsed the bits that support your argument that iPad doesn't require a mouse, or, that Apple didn't compare the iPad to a notebook, or that the iPad can replace a notebook?

Or should I focus simply on what Apple doesn't say vs. what they do?

*SIGH*

It's perfectly reasonable to assume that everyone posting here has been around long enough to understand that the iPad has been replacing notebooks ever since it was introduced back in 2010. For those who use a notebook for web, email and even a few work apps, an iPad can easily support those needs. I don't think anyone that's posted in this thread denies this?

Even so, it would seem that many require that Apple's iOS for iPad support mouse input. Whether it's for spreadsheets (Excel), print media content creation, or even design, some users have been asking for this feature support for years. assuming a negative position versus an affirmative one on this one, specific feature request, it seems as if Apple is simply asking their customers to do without? How does adding mouse support diminish iOS or iPad considering that Apple has already added Apple Pencil and the software support necessary for stylus input while at the same time seeming to ignore the requests of countless customers who have requested mouse support on iPad? I simply don't see Apple Pencil and mouse support as mutually exclusive to one another?

That's the real shame of this entire topic: Apple could have added this feature years ago. The first generation iPad Pro was launched alongside the Apple Pencil, which was only supported (initially) by the iPad Pro. Apple designed both a new screen for the Pad Pro that supported stylus input, AND an entirely new Apple Pencil, which was Apple's first attempt at a stylus in nearly 20 years. And, it was so successful they've recently released its replacement (sibling?), the Apple Pencil 2.

I mentioned the Apple Pencil because iPad Pro owners are finding more uses for their iPad Pros and wondering aloud "If Apple can make an entirely new product specifically for iPad, it shouldn't be difficult to add support for a mouse?" I've paraphrased several threads from both here and on several Apple fan forums that are intensely pro-Apple. These aren't the voices of those who have some unreasonable distaste for Apple. Apple iPad owners are asking for this feature so they can try to use their iPad's more and their notebooks less. This feature request actually supports Apple's narrative that the new iPad Pro can take the place of the notebooks they use daily.

I can recall the emerging feature requests for a stylus days after the release of the first iPad. (Seriously: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2395385) But Steve Jobs infamously asked "Who want's a stylus?" and we know the rest of the story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YY3MSaUqMg) Hint: Apple Pencil, both the original and 2nd gen, has been a resounding success for Apple. It saw sales double in year-to-year sales from 2017 to 2018.

Could mouse support affect iPad sales? I'm not completely sure, but seriously, how could it hurt? This could even become an opportunity for Apple, by announcing mouse support for iOS alongside something like Adobe Photoshop for iOS or even iOS's upcoming "Dark Mode" support in iOS 13. At the very least Apple Mouse sales could spike, as Apple is now offering Space Grey options for both Apple Mouse and Smart Keyboard.

Sorry for length, got a bit ahead of myself! In summary, I just don't understand how those who defend Apple by suggesting there's nothing to this mouse support issue and we should all just move along. After nearly a decade of asking for it, perhaps Apple will surprise us soon?

Even so, I'm not holding my breath 😑