# El Trackpad — user reviews

> 62 indexed App Store user reviews of El Trackpad by Hugo Lispector, rated 3.70/5 from 39 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/el-trackpad/id1531822775/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/el-trackpad/id1531822775.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 15 · 4★ 6 · 3★ 11 · 2★ 4 · 1★ 3

## What do users think of El Trackpad?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🚀 No lag with cabled connection
- 👍 Works well on older devices
- 💡 Great idea for trackpad functionality
- ✨ Smooth and fluid experience
- 💰 Good value compared to hardware trackpad
- ✅ Works as expected for basic trackpad functions
- 💯 Excellent app for iPad/phone control
- 🌟 Intuitive and increases productivity

**Cons**

- 🔌 Requires wired connection
- 🐛 Gestures sometimes don't register
- 🐛 Two-finger tap for right-click fails in some apps
- 🐛 Scrolling suspends and needs mouse click to fix
- 🐛 Mouse movement can be reversed on multi-monitor setups
- 🐛 Pinch-to-zoom out is imprecise
- 🐛 Double two-finger tap registers as zoom or right-click
- 🐛 App no longer opens on Mac (M1 MacBook Pro)
- 🐛 App is non-functional on M3 MacBook Pro with Sequoia OS
- 🐛 Swiping on iPad can exit the app
- 🐛 3-finger gestures mapped to 4 fingers
- 🐛 Does not recognize long press or 3D press as click
- 🐛 Transaction error when starting trial
- 🐛 Device not supported error via USB
- 🐛 System zoom disabled, cannot switch desktops with 3-finger swipe
- 🐛 Glitchy and crashes constantly
- 🐛 Mouse behavior does not replicate Magic Trackpad functionality

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App no longer opens on Mac (M1 MacBook Pro)
- App is non-functional on M3 MacBook Pro with Sequoia OS
- Swiping with two fingers activates 'desktop view' on Sequoia OS
- Tap with two fingers for right click refuses to register in certain applications
- Rarely some gestures will not register
- Scrolling functionality suspends and requires mouse click to fix
- Mouse movement is suddenly reversed on a monitor
- Pinch to zoom out is only good/precise for zooming in
- Double two finger tap sometimes registers as a zoom and often responds with a right click
- Swipes pickup on iPad and swipe you out of the app
- 3 fingers gestures like switching desktops became 4 fingers
- Does not recognize long press or 3d press as click
- El Trackpad overrides USB and nothing else works after sleep period
- Transaction error when starting trial
- Device not supported error when plugging in via USB
- iPadOS 15 no longer allows disabling multitasking gestures
- System zoom is disabled, cannot switch desktops with 3-finger swipe
- Mission control gesture does not work for some laptops
- App is extremely glitchy and frequently crashes
- Mouse behavior in the app does not replicate Magic Trackpad functionality
- App only works with USB cable connection
- Inconsistent trial messaging and immediate charging
- Cannot drag click for artwork

**Most requested features**

- Add Bluetooth connectivity
- Add Wi-Fi connectivity
- Allow landscape orientation
- Support 3-finger swiping for browser back/forward
- Support 4-finger gestures for screen switching
- Add gesture for toggling between windows
- Implement drag-and-drop functionality
- Add pressure sensitivity for drawing/art
- Make the app usable without a cable
- Add option to rotate the virtual trackpad
- Add keyboard support
- Add option to run app upside down for cable management
- Support iPhone as trackpad for iPad
- Add more settings options
- Add 3D Touch support
- Add support for 4-finger gestures
- Add 2-finger gesture for Notification Center
- Add 2-finger parallel swipe for page navigation
- Add FaceID authentication integration
- Make it compatible with Windows

## Newest reviews (15 of 62)

### 3/5 — Please make the app BLUETOOTH

*2024-11-05, version 1.0.8*

Lets make this app Bluetooth and let Mr. Jobs rest in peace.

### 4/5 — Great, but…

*2024-04-04, version 1.0.8*

Certainly better than paying $$$ for a Mac trackpad, but there are times when particularly after a sleep period, when El Trackpad overrides the USB and nothing else works, such as wired mouse

### 3/5 — Doesn’t work well:-(

*2024-01-08, version 1.0.8*

Part of the app works, but only partially. Sometimes a functionality simply suspends - e.g. scrolling - and is only fixed again when you click somewhere with the real-life-mouse. Or if you have more than just one monitor, then it occasionally happens that on a monitor the mouse movement is suddenly reversed, so if you swipe to the left, the cursor moves to the right, which means that you cannot even reach this monitor with the mouse cursor. Only with a restart of the app is the problem solved. 
At 3.99 for this one single feature, I definitely expect this feature to work. (Latest MacBook, latest MacOS)

### 3/5 — It would be nice if I could use my IPhone as a trackpad for Ipad

*2023-09-08, version 1.0.8*

This app would be useful if they update it where I can use the IPhone as a trackpad to my IPad Air and Stage Manager for the most portable mobile office

### 2/5 — Needs more settings options and gestures support

*2022-11-27, version 1.0.8*

Generally the app is working well but 3 things makes it unusable for me.
Cannot rotate the virtual trackpad, I would prefer to use my phone in wide screen mode.
3 fingers gestures like switching desktops became 4 fingers
Does not recognize long press or 3d press as click.

### 3/5 — Very good, but…

*2022-04-13, version 1.0.8*

I really like the lack of lag when using this app but would like to be  able to drag items around, or move a slider (as when using the trackpad). Moreover, an absolute tracking method, instead of relative, would be fantastic and would enable users to replace a Wacom tablet, when used with the Apple Pencil.

### 4/5 — Needs some bug fixes for zoom/right click but generally a huge money saver

*2022-03-17, version 1.0.8*

I love this so far. I don’t mind the cord because it makes for fast responding. My main issues are that the pinch to zoom and zoom out is only good/precise for zooming in. When you try and zoom back out it goes in tiny increments rather than quickly. I like to be able to smoothly control my zooms. The double two finger tap also sometime registers as a zoom and often responds with a right click. I think this could be resolved by making the zoom a three finger double tap instead as the touch gets confused. I’m already finding this frustrating. I would also love the option to change the orientation to use as landscape as I have a smaller phone. If this were resolved (particularly the zoom) I’d be so happy as the rest so far is wonderful. I can’t speak to the rotation option as I haven’t used it yet.

### 4/5 — Underrated app, quite great

*2022-03-09, version 1.0.8*

I was looking for something like this! It’s actually very intuitive and really helps increase productivity as well as posture when using the MacBook as a desktop. There is some lag issues sometimes, and Bluetooth would be amazing. But overall very impressed. Would definitely consider purchasing after the trial.

### 2/5 — Fix the wired connection

*2022-01-19, version 1.0.8*

I liked it but didn’t realize I need a wire . Get that fixed and I will get give you 5 stars

### 3/5 — Needs Updating for iPadOS 15

*2021-12-08, version 1.0.8*

Putting aside the need for a hard wire (sidecar works without them and little lag), iPadOS 15 no longer allows you to disable multitasking gestures so you can’t use the Expose features. Still works as a mouse but finger count gesture mapping needs better customization support.

### 4/5 — Would be 5 stars if only...

*2021-11-26, version 1.0.8*

It supported three finger swiping for browser page forward/back as per native trackpad control. (Icing on the cake would be a gesture for toggling between windows rather than mission control) 

Other than that, it’s a great app for wired control of Mac using iPad/phone. Especially great where WiFi is too poor for other ‘remote’ type apps. Easily worth the money even if it is a little limited. Many thanks to the developer (please can you make the three finger browser swiping 🙏🏻)

### 3/5 — Only support portrait mode?

*2021-11-21, version 1.0.8*

Couldn’t find option to use iphone landscape oriented like normal trackpad.

### 3/5 — Can't start trial

*2021-10-09, version 1.0.8*

Transaction error
The operation could not be completed

### 4/5 — Does not recognize 4 finger guestures

*2021-07-16, version 1.0.8*

Hi Hugo, thanks for developing this app. It is useful since I put my laptop up high to protect my neck, I have my bluetooth keyboard but currently do not intend to buy a trackpad.
It is much smoother to use than local connection trackpad apps but the only problem is that all 4 finger guestures do not work. I switch between screens frequently so I still need to reach to my trackpad. Please help solve this problem and I'd like to offer further information.

### 3/5 — Cant get it to work, despite trouble shooting

*2021-07-01, version 1.0.8*

I downloaded the app both for my iMac and iphone, both of which have the correct iOS, enabled permissions, etc.… But when I plug the USB in, I get “device not supported“, despite changing cables and ports. I would really like to get this to work. I really need it for my ouchy hand.🙏🏽

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Inconsistent message

*2022-04-04, version 1.0.8*

They offer a “one week trial” and charged me just right at the moment I wanted to activate “the trial” if you don’t want to offer it, why bother and show that message

### 1/5 — Требуется доработка!

*2022-02-02*

Использовать кабель? Серьезно? Сейчас будут следующие модели телефонов без гнёзд и что тогда? Быстрее отказывайтесь от кабелей и переходите на Bluetooth или Wi-Fi!

**Developer response:** Hi, wireless connections can be a good idea. But, please keep in mind that the wired connection was a design choice to guarantee reliability, no lag and basically no setup when using this app.

### 1/5 — Нет заявленного функционала

*2021-02-26*

Поведение мыши в приложении не повторяет заявленного в нем функционала Magic Trackpad. Полурабочая поделка школьника

**Developer response:** I am sorry for your experience. Feel free to send me an email and I will be happy to help you with any problem you might have encountered.

### 1/5 — requires cable

*2020-12-30, version 1.0.6*

can’t use without phone being connected to mac via a physical cable, rendering it useless for my use case scenario.
found another app called BTT remote which does what this app promises but does it wirelessly and works flawlessly.

### 1/5 — Really? Have to connect with usb cable

*2020-11-08, version 1.0.4*

After all great functionality this is joke because it does work without usb cable connection.

### 1/5 — Apple rezaleti-kesinlikle indirmeyin

*2020-10-07, version 1.0.2*

7 gunluk deneme suresine ve 7 gun icinde iptal secenegi en basta kesin bir sekilde belirtilmis olmasina ragmen cattt diye parayi hemen cekiyorlar. Ustune ustluk iptal de edemiyorsun. Apple'i aradiginiz zaman iadesi mumkun degil cevabini aliyorsunuz. Resmen nitelkli dolandiricilik. Bir daha ne deneme, ne uygulama alma, ne de abonelik icin kurus islemez. Yaziklar olsun.

### 2/5 — The app no longer opens on Mac

*2026-06-29, version 1.0.8*

I’ve owned this app since 2022 and it worked great for a long time. However, for months notes I cannot get the app to load on my MacBook M1 so i can use it when connecting the iPad with App. There’s no documentation and even after deleting and reinstalling and fixing permissions, it still is no working.

### 2/5 — Great App, Minor Errors

*2024-12-05, version 1.0.8*

Update: No longer working as of 2024-10. M3 MacBook Pro running Sequoia OS makes the app pretty much non-functional. Swiping with two fingers to scroll up or down with even a little bit of side deviation always activates the brand new “desktop view” now implemented in the new OS.

Looking for an app that could fully utilize my iPad’s screen as a trackpad. The trial idea was great and I used it for a week and was hooked.

Pros:
- Absolutely no lag at all due to cabled connection
- Gestures work well for not having pressure sensing capability like the normal Mac trackpad, assuming it works nearly the same as Apple’s Magic Trackpad as I’ve seen online
- 7 Day Trial really lets you experience the full app

Cons:
- In certain applications (for example, IntelliJ IDE), tap with two fingers for right click refuses to register (the same on the built in Mac trackpad works)
- Very rarely some gestures will not register, probably due to finger detection on the iPad side

### 2/5 — Doesn’t work for me

*2023-02-27, version 1.0.8*

Really nice idea but it doesn’t work for me I checked with iPhone and iPads…

### 2/5 — Swipes pickup on iPad an swipe you out of the app

*2022-12-22, version 1.0.8*

A good idea. I hope they can make it work. But it’s not there yet. I paid anyway because I want to support the work.

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Works VERY well, even on older devices

*2024-09-28, version 1.0.8*

I have an ‘old’ iPad Air 1 and this trackpad app works perfectly.
Also, dev responded to a question within hours. 
Much good and high recommend!

### 5/5 — Great App, Minor Errors

*2022-08-16, version 1.0.8*

Looking for an app that could fully utilize my iPad’s screen as a trackpad. The trial idea was great and I used it for a week and was hooked.

Pros:
- Absolutely no lag at all due to cabled connection
- Gestures work well for not having pressure sensing capability like the normal Mac trackpad, assuming it works nearly the same as Apple’s Magic Trackpad as I’ve seen online
- 7 Day Trial really lets you experience the full app

Cons:
- In certain applications (for example, IntelliJ IDE), tap with two fingers for right click refuses to register (the same on the built in Mac trackpad works)
- Very rarely some gestures will not register, probably due to finger detection on the iPad side

### 5/5 — Can i have a full refund for this app purchase?

*2022-08-11, version 1.0.8*

I want a full refund. I got it missunderstand before using it. So, I've purchased it even i don't have mac..haha. If it would possible, please let me know via the reply (Sorry to short english)

### 5/5 — Great app

*2022-06-12, version 1.0.8*

I was pleasantly surprised to find most of the trackpad gestures I’m used to working out of the box. It would be great if two-finger swiping to got back and forward in Safari works too!

### 5/5 — Good but

*2022-03-04, version 1.0.8*

It’s really nice and smooth, just wish it was wireless that’s all! Great app thanks

### 5/5 — iPadOS 15 and Multitasking Gestures :(

*2022-02-21, version 1.0.8*

Edit: iOS 15.3 brings back the option to turn off gestures meaning this app works as intended :)

Wow, finally I found a cool app that I love even with the cable. But iOS 15 disables the ability to disable the 3+ finger gestures. So be warned that you will not be able to use mac trackpad gestures with this app post iOS 15. (not the developers fault).

### 5/5 — Works Exactly as Expected

*2021-12-01, version 1.0.8*

This app has no different issues than I find using a Magic Trackpad. It moves smooth, zooms smooth, rotating is a hit-or-miss hassle, just like with the trackpad. Thing is, rotate is my primary need for this or any trackpad.

Used a 1st gen. iPhone SE and an iPad Mini and found that the Mini was a better experience because of the textured film I have on it. Feels better than swiping around on smooth glass.

So if you want a standard trackpad, this app will work. Plugging it in doesn’t bother me as I prefer the stable connection over having it glitch randomly.

### 5/5 — Just A Thought…

*2021-07-25, version 1.0.8*

This is likely not the intention here, but I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of searching for an alternate solution to the popular Wacom Intuos tablets used for drawing and retouching in Photoshop, etc. There are several solutions that extend the Mac display to an iPad (Duet/Astropad) but what I’m looking for is essentially a tablet for drawing that controls the cursor/tools on my MacBook. THIS WAS SO CLOSE to a solution however the issue is that drawing with the Apple Pencil is not recognized as a click (or stroke). Would love to see some extended functionality here as it would make the need for Wacom Intuos products basically obsolete (provided you own an ipad). This may not be possible but worth a mention. Of course, ideally this would include the pressure sensitivity elements of the iPad/Apple Pencil. Cheers and great work. - Blake

### 5/5 — Very good

*2021-06-22, version 1.0.8*

I did not expect this to work so well and I was pleasantly surprised. I downloaded this as a holdover while I waited for my Magic Trackpad to arrive since I recently discovered that you can zoom in on photos in Finder’s Gallery View with trackpad but not with mouse or keyboard, and I’ve been very impressed.

### 5/5 — Does what it says it says

*2021-05-10, version 1.0.7*

Good simple app. Needed trackpad functionality for use with my Mac mini and this delivered. Didn’t need a wireless connection as it’s just sat on the desk next to me.

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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 2026-08-01.*
