Apple Rumored to Add USB Mouse Support to iPad Pro as Accessibility Feature

[MacRumors]

On the latest episode of the Connected podcast on Relay FM, MacStories editor-in-chief Federico Viticci suggested that USB mouse support could eventually be coming to the iPad Pro as an accessibility feature.

"What I heard is without adapters, you will be able to use any USB mouse on your iPad, but as an accessibility device," said Viticci. "The iPad Pro has a USB-C port, so just plug in a USB mouse and if you have physical impairments, if you have any other kinds of motor impairments, just use a USB mouse in accessibility mode."

It has long been possible to use a compatible adaptive accessory like a joystick or trackball with Apple's accessibility feature AssistiveTouch to control an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, but USB mouse support would seemingly eliminate the need for any specialized hardware or adapters.

Viticci cautions this is something he "heard months ago" and he isn't sure "if it'll happen," but as noted by iDownloadBlog, well-known developer Steve Troughton-Smith tweeted that "as far as I'm aware, that is indeed in the works."

If you missed last week's @_connectedfm, @viticci had a pretty interesting scoop that he'd been sitting on re mouse support coming to iPad as an accessibility feature. As far as I'm aware, that *is* indeed in the works. I feel like every pro user will turn that on, day one 😂 - Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith) April 22, 2019

As noted by Viticci, this wouldn't be the first time Apple enables a feature "under the catch-all umbrella of accessibility." Any user would presumably be able to toggle on USB mouse support in the Settings app, with Troughton-Smith adding that "I feel like every pro user will turn that on, day one."

In a follow-up tweet, Troughton-Smith speculated that iOS could perhaps have "a small circle or dot" for a cursor rather than a traditional pointer, but the exact implementation of mouse support if any remains to be seen.

No specific timeframe has been provided for USB mouse support on the iPad, but it could presumably be added as early as iOS 13, which is expected to be unveiled at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June. The software update should be publicly released in September alongside new iPhones.

Listen to Connected on Relay FM. Viticci's remarks about the potential for USB mouse support on the iPad begin at the 1:08:35 mark.

Article Link: Apple Rumored to Add USB Mouse Support to iPad Pro as Accessibility Feature

 

[markfc]

I’m still waiting for Apple Mouse support on iPad. It would make teamviewering so much easier!

 

[Blackstick]

Would be a nice option for people, seems like one of those features they'd quietly offer, though.

 

[nicho]

USB mouse support would be a little odd... why no bluetooth mouse support in this day and age?

 

[BaccaBossMC]

As a side effect of adding mouse support, the iPad could be used for real gaming and productivity. That would be nice, since they certainly have the power for some games, just lack the ability to have a mouse to go along with a keyboard.

 

[dumastudetto]

Would be a nice option for people, seems like one of those features they'd quietly offer, though.

Hence why they would bury it in accessibility.

 

[Baymowe335]

Can Macrumors finally rejoice?

Nah.....

 

[Richdmoore]

I almost wonder if the feature is put in under accessablilty section, if apple is testing to see if it will actually be a popular enough feature to move to the "mainstream" in a future IOS version.

The touch/pencil features already work great, unless you try to use the iPad in a laptop screen up position, then mouse support would be useful.

 

[Freida]

This is needed if they really wanna position iPad (especially the PRO) as the computer.
I don't think I would need it that much but I can certainly see myself using it when using some specific things.
Also, great for gaming as someone mentioned.

 

[zorinlynx]

I've never wanted to plug a mouse into my iPad. I HAVE, however, wanted to plug USB storage into my iPad and iPhone.

I'd love to be able to plug in a thumbdrive and see it pop up in the Files app. I'm sure a lot of us feel the same way, and hope Apple finally adds this capability in iOS 13.

 

[calstanford]

Silly not to allow bluetooth. Apple doesn't even sell non-bluetooth mice. Typical Tim Cook Apple decision this

 

[Marco Klobas]

Keyboard, Mouse, Multitasking... Basically iPad is becoming a MacBook.

 

[timber]

I wonder how will they support it.
One of a mouse features is not only pointing and clicking but also hovering the cursor over stuff and getting visual cues.
That doesn't make sense on iOS.

 

[clauzzz203]

I wonder how will they support it.
One of a mouse features is not only pointing and clicking but also hovering the cursor over stuff and getting visual cues.
That doesn't make sense on iOS.

Some features stopped making sense in ios years ago, just think of the 3dtouch and long touch support combined with random array of devices which support them or not

 

[polaris20]

I've never wanted to plug a mouse into my iPad. I HAVE, however, wanted to plug USB storage into my iPad and iPhone.

I'd love to be able to plug in a thumbdrive and see it pop up in the Files app. I'm sure a lot of us feel the same way, and hope Apple finally adds this capability in iOS 13.

I would love a mouse (bluetooth, USB, I don't give a crap) on the iPad, so when I get an after hours call, I can just carry a small messenger bag and an iPad, instead of my damn laptop everywhere.

I ended up fixing the problem by getting a Surface, which is actually a real computer. I love MacOS and iOS, but some of this stuff is getting really tiresome from an actual productivity standpoint.

 

[jagolden]

Would be nicer to be able to connect a Bluetooth mouse.

 

[Zxxv]

Keyboard, Mouse, Multitasking... Basically iPad is becoming a MacBook.

A dongle book

 

[PhillyGuy72]

I picked up BT Keyboard at Five Below, (looks like a very inexpensive white Apple Keyboard, not rechargable, works on 2AA battery) - but this does work with my 2015 iPad Pro.

A BT mouse would be cool, heck maybe a Five Below wireless mouse would work --- I just dont know, never even thought about it to be honest. It would help when using "AstroPad" app that reads my iMac (programs like desktop Illustrator, along with the 1st Gen Pencil)

But a wired USB mouse to an iPad? Um..seems a little primitive in 2019?

**Edit. I see most of not all of these wireless BT mouse needs a BT dongle. So...that wont work on the older iPad Pro w/ lightning connector. Maybe it will with Lightning to female USB adapter. so...dongles, adapters galore sticking out of the port. Eh, forget it.

 

[Khedron]

USB mouse support would be a little odd... why no bluetooth mouse support in this day and age?

Why no bluetooth audio support on the HomePod? Apple prefers control over standards.

 

[cardfan]

Have a hard time believing this rumor. Even if it’s true, it looks very limited and nothing to get excited about.

 

[boston04and07]

It needs Bluetooth mouse and trackpad compatibility, not just USB-C. I have a perfectly good Magic Mouse that id like to use before buying something else. I also really need this on my iPad Pro 10.5. I hope it’s not specific to the newer models.

 

[DNichter]

Keyboard, Mouse, Multitasking... Basically iPad is becoming a MacBook.

Just better, and the key behind it all for Apple - controllable.

 

[ksec]

I gather we have external display with the newest iPad Pro using the USB-C?

So along with a Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse / TrackPad, I can have and iPad + Monitor Dual Screen Setup and finally ditch my MacBook?

If that is the case it would be dream come true, many have been wishing for something like this for a long time. I could only wish they bump the price by a little and give me 8GB+ Memory for multitasking.

 

[DNichter]

I would welcome this addition, as long as it is Bluetooth also. I will not use wires for anything at this point.

 

[Khedron]

I almost wonder if the feature is put in under accessablilty section, if apple is testing to see if it will actually be a popular enough feature to move to the "mainstream" in a future IOS version.

The touch/pencil features already work great, unless you try to use the iPad in a laptop screen up position, then mouse support would be useful.

Once Apple started providing the external keyboard for iPads it's bizarre to not also provide mouse support.