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

I mostly type and edit word processing documents and long typed or written notations on my iPad quite frequently.

All without the aid of a mouse or trackpad.

iPads, to date, aren’t really full laptop computer replacements AND, as long as full blown laptop/MacBook computers continue to exist, iPads WILL NEVER BE a full laptop replacement!

As the iPad is, currently, I get plenty of real work done on an iPad.

Period.

The iPad IS NOT the right tool for YOU, either!

Always purchase the right mobile computing device/tools that works best for the way YOU work and do things!

The alternatives ARE out there and available.

An iPad has always met most of my computing needs and is conducive to the way I work and do things.

Good Luck on your search for your preferred mobile device of choice.

Be Well,...Stay Well!

There is no mouse for iPad because iPads are “Touch” screen. Meant for using hands. Mouses are for computers. If you need a mouse, I recommend selling your iPad and getting a computer. The point is, you can’t use a mouse on iPad, and by the looks of it, that will never change. Lol.

Michael,

Simply put, iOS never before claimed the device that could replace your actual computer. But they did, and either did not think it through or thought that the majority of people using computers simply use market apps, watch videos, and play games, as the term Pro to me means a whole lot. There is no Pro to the iPad as it lacks integration into most notebook/tablet markets when it lacks mouse/trackpad functionality. Sales figures when talking phones maybe but iPad sales are failing year over year. The market is demanding more, and Apple is not reacting in time :-(

http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-new-ipad-is-too-fragile-expensive-and-impra ctical-for-school-2018-3

Making a discount version to find an outlet that may stomach there short comings:

https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/27/17167054/new-apple-ipad-announced-cheap-price -students-2018

How about that marketing campaign, replace my Surface Pro with an iPad pro, not without a mouse. Maybe some people at Apple should read "who moved my cheese" and then come to grips that maybe finding that cheese should be the priority. Tip: Cheese is with the Mouse

Yet according to various analyses of sales figures reported in February of this year, the iPad remains the best selling tablet on the market (e.g. Detachable Tablets Return to Growth During the Holiday Season as Slate Tablet Decline Continues, According to IDC), outselling both Samsung and Amazon combined. So clearly the lack of a mouse is not missed by a great many users. Yes tablet sales, overall, are declining, but Apple’s iPad still dominates the market.

There are lots lots of things about any tablet that don’t make them a laptop/desktop replacement to my mind. Not having a mouse though is actually not one of them for me as I find the touch interface just fine for a tablet. I still need a computer for true pre-emptive multitasking, multiple large screen display support, RAM for very large files (my computers all have 16 to as much as 128GB RAM), full featured support for numerous apps (with or without a mouse, I could not write papers - no tablet word processing app offers the full functioned formatting and page layout features of their desktop older brothers), etc.

Actually, Apple's sales figures for the first quarter of this year are the highest they have ever been for any first quarter to date.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/01/apple-earnings-q1-2018.html

https://www.macworld.co.uk/news/apple/apple-financial-results-3581769/

And specifically iPad sales went up from last year's first quarter. It's also of note, that Apple's iPad sales figures were the highest overall in 2014. And declined from there. Coming up at 4 year mark its easy to assume that many of those that bought iPads in 2014 are just now coming back to renew their devices. 4 years is about the expected turn around for tablet devices. So the decline in sales in the last 4 years matches up with how mobile devices are bought and how long they are kept. I suspect iPad sales will increase this year because of that. It's all about cycles.

And yes most other tablets that actually support mice aren't actually flying off the shelves. Microsoft has had a really tough time pushing their Surface tablets which incidentally do support mice and many times are much much more expensive than iPads. Also Microsoft seem to be moving towards the mouseless experience on tablets with their new Windows 10 S Mode OS for tablets. While its still supported sure, the focus is on touch screen interface, rather than mouse interface.

Apple still dominates tablet sales. Tablet Wars: After Apple iPad, Amazon Is New No. 2 | Investopedia

and the recently released entry level iPad at $299 is the one to be keeping an eye out for. We'll see how well it does at the end of the second quarter of 2018.

Also, the author of that article really has a chip on his shoulder for Apple. Yes tablets break, but I don't see Android or Windows tablets being offered at schools with rugged cases either. i.e The protection aspect has always been up to the customer. Only Amazon and if you want, Leapfrog have ever offered tablets with included rugged cases for children. The lack of storage for the Pencil is a valid concern. But seeing as its not an actual part of the iPad, unlike integrated stylii for other tablets, its hard to really give them too much grief for not adding a place to put it on the iPad itself.

Maybe offering a magnetic case for the pencil that attaches to the back of the iPad may be a good idea.

It's time for mouse support. There are requirements some people have who use it for work. TONE is frustration felt by many. Maybe not by those who only watch Netflix, but there real world requirements.

Word editing and other business requirements are not the same thing. Say you need to use the iPad to log into a regular computer. One example of thousands. Just because you don't need it doesn't mean the need isn't real.

Then use the Apple feedback page and convince them you’re opinion is the right one. Thus far at least, they have clearly disagreed with all those who say they’ve posted feedback asking for mouse support.

I have owned iPads since the first Air model, and currently own 3 iPads (Air 2, 12.9” first gen iPad Pro and current 10.5” iPad Pro) and have never once felt any need, nor even any desire for a mouse. So you will not convince me one is needed. You are free to use feedback to try to convince Apple of your wishes.

Nobody is saying the requirements aren't real. Nobody is saying there aren't people out there who need mice.

But has so far been said, and clearly missed, is that's the iPad has not ever had a mouse, and Apple has been adamant about that during the 8 years they have been making iPads.

If your need for a mouse is so great, then use a device that already supports a mouse, there's tons or devices even Apple devices that support mice. Why is this so difficult?

Why does it need to be an iPad? Why does Apple need to absolutely and without question completely break away from their entire design philosophy on the iPad to add mouse support to a device that has not had one for 8 years?

Why are your specific needs so important that Apple cannot continue to exist without catering to them? Is it impossible for Apple to choose to not provide a mouse on a device they sell, and people understand this and buy one that does support a mouse for the things they need to do with a mouse?

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.

You see, it's that last silly comment that is so arrogantly annoying. That's only why multiple companies have created solutions for SwitchPoint and also, there's Citrix. There is ENOUGH people out there who need it. That is evidence enough...plus, a lot of people are wanting to use the iPad Pro as a laptop. The EVIDENCE is in Zagg, Logitech, Razor, Brydge and many others that have created a laptop-type keyboard. People who follow the tests, type in comments--"will a blue tooth mouse work with it"....NO.

But that is a lot of evidence. Companies putting their money where their customer's needs are.

My apologies, I only read the initial question and was trying to help OP. This is definitely a long overdue feature request that has not been addressed. I am also sorry for being late to the game and adding to the redundancy. I just figured out a workaround and wanted to spread the word.

During all of the years that Apple has been producing the iPad, this has been a continuously requested feature. So far Apple has not budged a bit on satisfying these requests. They seem to think that your finger is better then any mouse.