Pairing an Apple mouse takes less than a minute
An Apple mouse connects to your Mac through Bluetooth, a wireless technology built into both devices. You do not need cables, drivers, or a separate receiver. Turn on the mouse, hold it near your Mac, and the system will find it automatically. The whole process usually finishes before you finish reading these instructions.
Apple makes three mouse models: the Magic Mouse (flat, touch-sensitive surface), the Magic Mouse 2 (rechargeable version), and the older Mighty Mouse (with a scroll ball). All three pair the same way. If you have an older third-party mouse with a USB receiver, that plugs in directly and needs no pairing at all.
Key Takeaways
- Apple mice connect through Bluetooth and pair automatically when you turn them on near your Mac.
- Your mouse needs fresh batteries (or a full charge if rechargeable) before pairing will work.
- If pairing stalls, restart Bluetooth by turning the mouse off and back on, or restart your Mac.
- Once paired, your mouse remembers your Mac and reconnects automatically each time you turn it on.
Check your mouse battery before you start
An Apple mouse will not appear in Bluetooth settings if the battery is dead or too low. If your mouse uses replaceable batteries (Magic Mouse or Mighty Mouse), open the battery compartment on the bottom and insert two AA batteries with the positive end facing up. If you have a Magic Mouse 2, connect it to power with the included USB-C cable for at least 10 minutes before pairing.
A low battery is the most common reason pairing fails. If your mouse does not show up after you turn it on, replace the batteries first, wait 30 seconds, and try again. You will see a small LED light on the bottom of the mouse when it has power.
Turn on Bluetooth and open System Settings
On your Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Look for Bluetooth in the left sidebar and click it. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — you will see a toggle switch at the top of the window.
Your Mac's Bluetooth radio is now active and listening for devices. Leave this window open while you pair the mouse. You should see a list of available devices appear within a few seconds.
Turn on the mouse and wait for it to appear
Flip your Apple mouse over and look for a small power switch on the bottom. Slide it to the On position. The mouse will begin broadcasting its Bluetooth signal when ready. Within 10 to 20 seconds, the mouse name should appear in the Bluetooth device list on your Mac — usually something like "Magic Mouse" or "Mighty Mouse."
If nothing appears after 30 seconds, turn the mouse off, wait 5 seconds, and turn it back on. Sometimes the first attempt does not connect. If the mouse still does not show up, restart your Mac's Bluetooth by clicking the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar (top-right corner) and selecting Turn Bluetooth Off, waiting 10 seconds, then turning it back on.
Click the mouse name to complete pairing
Once the mouse appears in the Bluetooth list, click its name. Your Mac will ask you to confirm the pairing — you may see a popup asking "Do you want to pair with [Mouse Name]?" Click Pair or Connect. The status next to the mouse name will change from "Not Connected" to "Connected."
That is the entire process. Your mouse is now paired and ready to use. Move it around to test the connection — the cursor should follow smoothly. If the cursor jumps or freezes, the battery may be low or the mouse may have moved too far from your Mac (Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet in open space).
What to do if pairing fails or stops working
If the mouse pairs but then disconnects, or if it never appears in the Bluetooth list, try these steps in order. First, turn the mouse off and back on. Second, restart Bluetooth on your Mac by clicking the Bluetooth menu and selecting Turn Bluetooth Off, waiting 10 seconds, then turning it back on. Third, restart your Mac entirely — this clears any temporary Bluetooth conflicts.
If the mouse still will not pair, check the battery again. A mouse with a dead battery will not broadcast a Bluetooth signal, so your Mac has nothing to find. Replace the batteries, wait 30 seconds, and repeat the pairing steps. If you have tried all of this and the mouse still does not work, the Bluetooth radio in the mouse may be damaged, and you may need to replace it.
Your mouse will reconnect automatically from now on
After the first pairing, your Mac remembers the mouse. Every time you turn the mouse on, it will reconnect to your Mac without any action from you. You do not need to open System Settings again unless you want to unpair the mouse or connect a different one.
If you use the same mouse on multiple Macs, you can pair it with each one separately. The mouse will remember all of them and reconnect to whichever Mac it is nearest to when you turn it on. If you want to switch which Mac the mouse connects to, turn the mouse off, move it physically closer to the other Mac, and turn it back on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an Apple mouse with a Windows PC?
Yes, Apple mice work with any device that supports Bluetooth, including Windows PCs and Linux computers. The pairing process is the same — turn on the mouse, open Bluetooth settings on your PC, and click the mouse name to connect. The touch gestures may not work the same way on Windows, but basic movement and clicking will function normally.
Why does my mouse keep disconnecting?
The most common cause is a low battery. Replace the batteries or charge the mouse, then test again. If disconnections continue, move the mouse closer to your Mac — Bluetooth can be blocked by walls, metal objects, or other wireless devices. If the problem persists, restart your Mac and re-pair the mouse from scratch.
Do I need to unpair my mouse before connecting a different one?
No. You can pair multiple mice with the same Mac, and they will all work. If you want to remove a mouse from your Mac's memory, open System Settings, click Bluetooth, find the mouse name, and click the X or Remove button next to it. This does not affect the mouse itself — you can pair it with a different device anytime.
What if my Mac does not have Bluetooth?
Older Macs without built-in Bluetooth can use a USB Bluetooth adapter, which plugs into any USB port and adds Bluetooth capability. Once the adapter is installed, pair your mouse the same way. If your Mac has a USB receiver that came with the mouse, plug that directly into a USB port instead — no pairing needed.
Can I pair an Apple mouse while it is charging?
Yes. If you have a Magic Mouse 2, you can pair it while it is plugged in with the USB-C cable. The mouse will work while charging and will continue to work after you unplug it. Pairing does not require the mouse to be unplugged.