Apple Magic Trackpad: The 2010 Original and Today’s Models

The Apple Magic Trackpad brought the Multi-Touch trackpad from the MacBook to the Mac desktop when it launched in July 2010. This article covers the original model, how the Magic Trackpad has changed since, and how to set one up and use its gestures today.

Quick answer: The first Magic Trackpad (2010) used two AA batteries and Bluetooth. Magic Trackpad 2 (2015) added Force Touch, a built-in rechargeable battery and Lightning charging. Since October 2024 Apple sells it with a USB-C port, in white or black, for Mac, iPad and Apple Vision Pro.

The original Apple Magic Trackpad (2010)

Apple launched the Magic Trackpad on July 27, 2010 as its first Multi-Touch trackpad for desktop Macs. When I wrote about it then, it felt like the hardware grip mouse we all knew had just become obsolete.

It used the same Multi-Touch technology as the MacBook Pro and supported the same gestures: swiping, scrolling, clicking, rotating and pinching, with the entire surface working as a button that clicks. Apple said it had 80 percent more area than the MacBook Pro trackpad, making it the largest Multi-Touch trackpad Apple had made at the time.

It connected to your Mac via Bluetooth and ran on two AA batteries. It shared the aluminium design, angle and height of the Apple Wireless Keyboard, so the two sat perfectly side by side. It detected periods of inactivity and had an on/off switch to save battery life.

Apple Magic Trackpad models since 2010

• Magic Trackpad (2010): Bluetooth, two AA batteries, physical click.
• Magic Trackpad 2 (October 2015): added Force Touch (pressure sensing) with haptic feedback, a built-in rechargeable battery, a Lightning port for charging and pairing, and a larger surface.
• Magic Trackpad with USB-C (October 2024): the same design with a USB-C port instead of Lightning, sold in white and black.

The current model is on the Apple store and you can also find it on Amazon. Apple lists it as working with Macs on macOS 15.1 or later, iPads on iPadOS 18.1 or later, and Apple Vision Pro.

How to set up a Magic Trackpad

1. For the current model, connect it to your Mac with the included USB-C cable. It pairs automatically and charges at the same time.
2. Unplug the cable to use it wirelessly over Bluetooth.
3. Open System Settings > Trackpad on your Mac to set tracking speed, tap to click and the gestures you want.

Useful trackpad gestures on a Mac

• Scroll: slide two fingers up or down.
• Zoom: pinch with two fingers.
• Secondary click: click or tap with two fingers.
• Mission Control: swipe up with three fingers (or four, depending on settings).
• Look up and data detectors: Force click a word on Force Touch models.

Trackpad or mouse?

The old mouse didn’t disappear after all. Many people use both: a trackpad for gestures and scrolling, a mouse for precise work. If you prefer a mouse, see how to use an Apple Magic Mouse on a Windows PC. And if you like Apple design history, read about the first MacBook Air.

FAQ

When did the Apple Magic Trackpad come out?

The original model was released on July 27, 2010. Magic Trackpad 2 followed in October 2015, and the USB-C version in October 2024.

Does the original Magic Trackpad have Force Touch?

No. Force Touch arrived with Magic Trackpad 2 in 2015. The original model has a physical click.

How do I charge a Magic Trackpad?

The current model charges with a USB-C cable and Magic Trackpad 2 with Lightning. The original 2010 model uses two AA batteries.

Does the Magic Trackpad work with an iPad?

Yes. Apple lists the current Magic Trackpad as compatible with iPads running iPadOS 18.1 or later.

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