Synchron Enables First-Ever Thought-Controlled iPad Experience Using Apple’s BCI Protocol

New York-based brain-computer interface (BCI) company Synchron has unveiled the first public demonstration of an individual controlling an iPad entirely through thought. The milestone showcases the integration of Synchron’s implantable BCI with Apple’s newly introduced Brain-Computer Interface Human Interface Device (BCI HID) protocol, enabling native cognitive control of iPadOS for the first time.

The demonstration features Mark, a participant in Synchron’s COMMAND clinical study and a person living with ALS. Using only his neural activity—without any hand, voice, or eye movement—Mark successfully navigated the iPad home screen, opened apps, and composed messages, highlighting a major leap forward in assistive technology.

At the core of the system is Synchron’s Stentrode™, a device implanted via blood vessels to detect motor intent from the brain. Neural signals are transmitted wirelessly to an external decoder, which interfaces directly with the iPad through Apple’s accessibility feature Switch Control and the new BCI HID protocol. The closed-loop system exchanges contextual screen information with the BCI in real time, allowing for precise and intuitive user control.

“This is the first time the world has seen native, thought-driven control of an Apple device in action,” said Dr. Tom Oxley, CEO and Founder of Synchron. “It’s a pivotal step toward cognitive input as a mainstream interface.”

Mark shared the personal impact of the breakthrough: “When I lost the use of my hands, I thought I had lost my independence. Now, with my iPad, I can message my loved ones, read the news, and stay connected with the world, just by thinking.”

Synchron was the first to bring a permanently implantable BCI into clinical trials using an endovascular approach, eliminating the need for open brain surgery and enabling scalability for broader use. The company is now gradually rolling out the BCI HID system to additional clinical participants, with plans to expand access as development progresses.

This collaboration between Synchron and Apple demonstrates a practical, real-world application of BCI technology—merging medical innovation with consumer tech and paving the way for broader accessibility and integration in daily life.