The basic steps to pair a wireless mouse
To connect a wireless mouse to your Mac, you turn on the mouse, then go to System Settings and add it through Bluetooth. Most wireless mice pair in under a minute. The mouse needs fresh batteries or a full charge, and your Mac's Bluetooth must be on — which it is by default on newer Macs.
The process is the same whether your mouse is brand new or one you've used before on another device. Once paired, the mouse will reconnect automatically whenever it's in range and turned on.
Key Takeaways
- Turn on your wireless mouse and make sure it has working batteries or is fully charged before you start pairing.
- Open System Settings, go to Bluetooth, and click the Add button to search for your mouse.
- Select your mouse from the list when it appears, and your Mac will complete the connection in seconds.
- Once paired, your mouse will reconnect on its own each time you turn it on, as long as Bluetooth stays enabled on your Mac.
- If your mouse doesn't appear in the Bluetooth list, restart both the mouse and your Mac, then try again.
Prepare your mouse before pairing
Check that your wireless mouse has power. If it uses batteries, open the battery compartment — usually on the bottom — and insert new or freshly charged batteries, making sure they're oriented correctly. If your mouse charges via USB cable, plug it in and wait until the charging light turns off or changes color, which usually takes one to three hours depending on the model.
Look for a power button on the mouse itself, often on the bottom or side. Turn it on. You may see a light blink or hear a small sound, which means the mouse is searching for a device to pair with. Leave the mouse in pairing mode — most mice stay in this mode for about two minutes after you turn them on.
Open Bluetooth settings on your Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings. On newer Macs running macOS Ventura or later, you'll see System Settings open directly. On older Macs running macOS Monterey or earlier, you may see System Preferences instead — the steps are identical.
In System Settings, look for Bluetooth in the left sidebar and click it. Your Mac will show a list of available Bluetooth devices. If you don't see Bluetooth in the sidebar, scroll down — it's usually near the bottom of the list. Make sure the Bluetooth toggle at the top right is turned on (it should be blue).
Find and select your mouse in the Bluetooth list
Wait a few seconds for your mouse to appear in the Bluetooth devices list. It will show the mouse's name — usually something like "Logitech Mouse" or "Apple Magic Mouse" — along with the word "Not Connected" next to it. The name depends on the manufacturer and model.
Click on your mouse's name in the list. Your Mac will when ready begin pairing. You may see a brief message asking you to confirm the connection, or the pairing may complete without any prompt. Within a few seconds, the status next to your mouse's name will change from "Not Connected" to "Connected."
Test your mouse and adjust settings
Move your mouse around on a flat surface and click the buttons to confirm it's working. The cursor on your screen should move smoothly, and clicks should register when ready. If the cursor moves but feels slow or jumpy, your mouse may be too far from your Mac — move it closer, within about 30 feet of your computer.
To adjust how fast the cursor moves, go back to System Settings, click Accessibility in the left sidebar, then select Pointer Control. You can increase or decrease the tracking speed using the slider. Some wireless mice also have their own software that you can read from the manufacturer's website to customize buttons and sensitivity, but this is optional.
Reconnect your mouse after turning it off
Once your mouse is paired, it will reconnect automatically every time you turn it on, as long as your Mac's Bluetooth is enabled. You don't need to go back to System Settings or repeat the pairing process. straightforward turn on the mouse and wait a few seconds — the connection happens in the background.
If your mouse doesn't reconnect after you turn it on, check that Bluetooth is still on in System Settings. If it is, turn your mouse off and back on again. If the mouse still doesn't connect, restart your Mac and try once more. Restarting clears temporary connection issues that sometimes prevent Bluetooth devices from pairing.
What to do if your mouse won't appear or connect
If your mouse doesn't show up in the Bluetooth list after a minute, first check that the mouse is actually turned on — some mice have very small power buttons that are straightforward to miss. Make sure the batteries are fresh or the mouse is fully charged. A mouse with low battery power may not broadcast a strong enough signal for your Mac to detect.
If the mouse is on and charged but still doesn't appear, restart both devices. Turn off the mouse, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. At the same time, restart your Mac by clicking the Apple menu, selecting Restart, and waiting for it to come back up. Once both devices are restarted, go back to Bluetooth settings and try pairing again.
If your mouse appears in the list but won't connect, click it once to select it, then look for a "Remove" or "Forget" button. Click that button to remove the mouse from your Mac's memory, then try pairing it again from the beginning. Sometimes a failed pairing attempt leaves incomplete information that prevents a fresh connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my wireless mouse with multiple Macs?
Yes. Once you pair your mouse with one Mac, you can pair it with another Mac by going through the same Bluetooth steps on the second computer. The mouse will remember both Macs and reconnect to whichever one it's closest to when you turn it on. Some mice can only stay connected to one device at a time, so you may need to turn the mouse off and back on when switching between computers.
Why does my mouse cursor move slowly or lag?
Move your mouse closer to your Mac — Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet, but obstacles like walls or metal objects can reduce it. If the mouse is close and the problem continues, the batteries may be running low. Replace them with fresh ones. You can also reduce interference by moving your Mac away from other wireless devices like routers or cordless phones.
Do I need to charge my wireless mouse every day?
It depends on the mouse. Battery-powered mice typically last weeks or months on a set of batteries, depending on how much you use them. Rechargeable mice usually last several days to a week on a full charge. Check your mouse's manual or the manufacturer's website to see the expected battery life for your specific model.
What if my Mac doesn't have Bluetooth?
All modern Macs have Bluetooth built in. If you have an older Mac and Bluetooth isn't working, you can buy a USB Bluetooth adapter that plugs into a USB port and adds Bluetooth capability. These adapters are inexpensive and work with any wireless mouse that uses standard Bluetooth.
Can I use a wired mouse instead of wireless?
Yes. Wired mice plug directly into a USB port on your Mac and work when ready without any pairing steps. They never need charging or batteries, but the cable limits how far you can move the mouse from your computer. Wireless mice offer more freedom of movement but require occasional charging or battery replacement.