# Astropad Slate — Control your Mac with iPad

> iPad pen tablet and trackpad for Mac creative workflows. (iPhone/iPad app by Astro HQ LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astropad-slate/id1661053818 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Astro HQ LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/934510729)
- Category: Productivity, Graphics & Design
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.25/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 39 MB
- Languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, Chinese
- Released: 2023-10-12
- Data updated: 2026-07-04
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astropad-slate/id1661053818/reviews.md

## What is Astropad Slate?

Turn your iPad into a no-screen pen tablet! Interact with your Mac via your iPad and Apple Pencil: 

- Drawing input: Replace your pen tablet with your iPad. Draw into your favorite desktop creative programs using your Apple Pencil.
- Mouse & trackpad: Use your Apple Pencil or finger as a cursor to navigate your Mac desktop. It’s like using your iPad as a giant trackpad!
- Gestures: Use one and two-finger touch gestures on iPad to scroll and zoom on your Mac.
- Handwriting input: Your handwriting on your iPad transforms into text on your Mac. Write into Slate’s handwriting input box on iPad, and typed text will appear on your Mac.

Select how your cursor moves on your iPad:
- Mouse Mode (Relative positioning): Your iPad acts like a giant trackpad, and your cursor moves freely about your Mac display.
- Screen-mapping (Absolute positioning): The entire screen of your iPad scales to map your whole Mac display. The mapping is adjustable, similar to a traditional pen tablet.

Slate works with all Apple Pencils. For newer Apple Pencils, Slate supports hover functionality.

New iPads with Apple Pencil hover: 
- Move cursor: Move your Apple Pencil over the surface of the iPad.
- Click: Tap your Apple Pencil to the screen to click.

Older iPads without Apple Pencil hover: 
- Move cursor: Lightly drag your Apple Pencil across your iPad screen to move the mouse cursor. The pressure level is adjustable.
- Click: Tap your Apple Pencil to the screen to click

Get started:
1. Visit www.astropad.com/slate to download the free Mac companion app 
2. Launch the apps: Open the companion apps on your Mac and iPad and follow the setup instructions.
3. Connect Mac and iPad: Connect your devices over WiFi, USB cable, or Peer-to-Peer networking.
4. Sart using Slate! Use your Apple Pencil to navigate your Mac desktop.

Minimum requirements:
- iPad: Your iPad must be running iPad OS 15.0 or later
- Desktop: Your Mac must be running macOS 11.0 or later

## Key features

- iPad as a pen tablet
- Mouse and trackpad control
- Touch gestures for navigation
- Handwriting to text conversion
- Screen-mapping and relative positioning
- Apple Pencil hover support

## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astropad-slate/id1661053818/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Curser latency is jumpy on connection

*2023-10-13*

So ten minutes in the first thing i notice is the latency its very jumpy and such on both peer to peer and WiFi. I am sure some of this is connection some of it is beta and some of it is interference from other things. I gave three stars for now and upon using this more i will give an update to my review and rating.

## Frequently asked questions about Astropad Slate

### What is Astropad Slate?

Astropad Slate turns your iPad into a no-screen pen tablet for your Mac. It allows you to draw into desktop creative programs, use your iPad as a trackpad, and convert handwriting to text on your Mac.

### What are the minimum requirements for Astropad Slate?

Your iPad must be running iPad OS 15.0 or later, and your Mac must be running macOS 11.0 or later. It supports all Apple Pencils.

### How does Astropad Slate connect to a Mac?

You can connect your Mac and iPad over WiFi, a USB cable, or Peer-to-Peer networking. A free Mac companion app is required and can be downloaded from www.astropad.com/slate.

### Does Astropad Slate support Apple Pencil hover?

Yes, Astropad Slate supports hover functionality for newer Apple Pencils. This allows you to move the cursor by hovering the pencil over the iPad surface and click by tapping.

### What is the difference between Mouse Mode and Screen-mapping in Astropad Slate?

Mouse Mode makes your iPad act like a giant trackpad with relative cursor positioning. Screen-mapping scales your iPad screen to map your entire Mac display, similar to a traditional pen tablet with absolute positioning.

### Is Astropad Slate free to use?

Yes, Astropad Slate is available for free. The app is free to download and use, with no in-app purchases or subscriptions required.

### How often is Astropad Slate updated?

The latest version, 0.5.1, was released on December 18, 2023. Updates are released periodically to improve functionality and compatibility.

### What is the user rating for Astropad Slate?

Astropad Slate has a rating of 3.3 stars from 4 ratings. This indicates a generally positive but mixed reception from its current user base.

## Version history (last 2 releases)

### 0.5.1 — 2023-12-18

- Improvements to USB and Wifi reliability

### 0.5 — 2023-10-12

No release notes.

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## More apps by Astro HQ LLC

- [Astropad Standard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astropad-standard/id934510730)
- [Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astropad-studio-drawing-tablet/id1181582576)
- [Luna Display](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luna-display/id1250259715)
- [Bookcase by Astropad](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookcase-by-astropad/id6736535823)
- [Fresh Coat by Astropad](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fresh-coat-by-astropad/id6741782355)

All apps by Astro HQ LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/934510729

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-04.*