The short answer
Yes, the official Raspberry Pi 7" Touchscreen Display works with the Raspberry Pi 4.
However, there are a couple of things to watch out for:
- Cases: Most cases were designed for Pi 2 and 3, so they may not fit the Pi 4
- Power: The display and Pi 4 have specific power requirements
What works
The official Raspberry Pi 7" Touchscreen Display is compatible with all Raspberry Pi models, including:
- Raspberry Pi 4 (all RAM variants)
- Raspberry Pi 3 Model B/B+
- Raspberry Pi 2 Model B
- Raspberry Pi Zero / Zero W (requires mini-HDMI adapter and different mounting)
Connection method: The touchscreen connects to the Raspberry Pi via:
- DSI ribbon cable: For video signal (connects to the Pi's DSI port)
- GPIO jumper wires: For power and touch interface
No HDMI required: The touchscreen uses the DSI port, not HDMI, leaving both of the Pi 4's micro-HDMI ports free for additional displays.
Case compatibility
The problem: Most touchscreen cases on the market were designed for the Raspberry Pi 2 and 3, which were released when the official touchscreen was first launched. The Raspberry Pi 4 has a different port layout than Pi 3, so many older cases won't fit.
What's different on Pi 4:
- Dual micro-HDMI ports instead of a single full-size HDMI
- USB-C power instead of micro-USB
- Slightly different port positioning
Solution: Look for cases specifically labeled as "Raspberry Pi 4 compatible" or "Pi 4 touchscreen case." Some options include:
- SmartiPi Touch 2 (designed for Pi 4 with touchscreen)
- Official Raspberry Pi 4 touchscreen cases (if available)
- 3D-printable cases (search Thingiverse or Printables for "Pi 4 touchscreen case")
Alternatively, mount the Pi 4 and touchscreen without a case using standoffs.
Powering the setup
Power requirements:
- Raspberry Pi 4: 5V 3A (15W) via USB-C
- 7" Touchscreen: 5V ~1A via its own power input or GPIO
Recommended power method: Simply plug your official Raspberry Pi Power Supply (5V 3A) into the Raspberry Pi 4's USB-C port, then use the included jumper wires to send power from the Raspberry Pi GPIO to the display.
Jumper wire connection:
- Connect the touchscreen's 5V pin to a 5V pin on the Pi (pin 2 or 4)
- Connect the touchscreen's GND pin to a GND pin on the Pi (pin 6, 9, 14, 20, 25, 30, 34, or 39)
This method powers both the Pi and the display from a single 3A power supply, which is sufficient for most use cases.
Alternative: Power the touchscreen independently with its own 5V 2A supply connected to the display's power input. This is useful if you're running power-hungry USB devices on the Pi 4.
Warning: Do not try to power the Pi 4 from the touchscreen's power input - it does not provide enough current for the Pi 4.