The basic steps to pair your mouse
Turn on your wireless mouse first — most have a power switch on the bottom or side. Then go to the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, select System Settings, and click Bluetooth in the left sidebar. Your Mac will start searching for nearby devices.
Put your mouse into pairing mode. This usually means pressing and holding a small button on the bottom or side of the mouse for three to five seconds until a light blinks or changes color. The exact location and duration depend on your mouse model, so check the manual if you are unsure.
Your mouse should appear in the Bluetooth list within 10 to 15 seconds. Click it once to connect. Most mice pair on the first try and stay connected automatically whenever they are powered on and in range — typically 30 feet or less, depending on the model.
Key Takeaways
- Turn on your mouse, open System Settings, and go to Bluetooth to start the pairing process.
- Put your mouse into pairing mode by holding the button on the bottom until the light blinks, then select it from the Bluetooth list.
- Once paired, your mouse will reconnect automatically each time you turn it on, as long as Bluetooth remains on.
- If your mouse does not appear in the list, restart both the mouse and your Mac, then try pairing again.
What to do if your mouse does not show up
First, make sure Bluetooth is actually on. Look at the top-right corner of your screen for the Bluetooth icon — it should be solid, not grayed out. If it is off, click it and select Turn Bluetooth On.
Next, restart your mouse. Turn it off completely, wait five seconds, and turn it back on. Then hold the pairing button again for three to five seconds. Some mice need to be put into pairing mode each time if the connection drops.
If your mouse still does not appear, restart your Mac. Shut it down fully, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Once it boots, go back to System Settings > Bluetooth and try pairing again. A restart often clears temporary connection problems that prevent your Mac from seeing the device.
Reconnecting a mouse that was previously paired
If you have already paired your mouse to your Mac before, it should reconnect on its own when you turn it on. Just make sure Bluetooth is on and the mouse is powered up. You do not need to go through pairing mode again unless the connection was removed.
To check if your mouse is still paired, open System Settings > Bluetooth and look for its name in the list. If it shows Connected next to it, you are all set. If it shows Not Connected, click it once to reconnect without re-pairing.
If your mouse is no longer in the list at all, it was removed from your Mac's memory. You will need to put it into pairing mode again and select it from the Bluetooth search results, just as you did the first time.
Adjusting mouse settings after pairing
Once your mouse is connected, you can customize how it behaves. Go to System Settings > Mouse to adjust tracking speed, scrolling direction, and button behavior. These settings explore only to wireless mice — trackpad settings are separate.
The Tracking speed slider controls how far your cursor moves when you move the mouse. Slower speeds give you more precision; faster speeds let you cover the screen with less movement. Most people find the default speed comfortable, but you can experiment to find what works for you.
If your mouse has extra buttons or a scroll wheel, you can assign them to different actions in the Mouse settings panel. Some third-party mice also come with their own software that offers additional customization beyond what macOS provides.
Why your mouse keeps disconnecting
Wireless mice disconnect when they run out of battery, so check the battery level first. Some mice have a low-battery indicator light; others require you to check in System Settings > Bluetooth, where a battery percentage may appear next to the mouse name.
If the battery is fine, your mouse may be too far from your Mac. Bluetooth has a typical range of 30 feet, but walls, metal objects, and other wireless devices can reduce that distance. Try moving closer to your Mac and see if the connection stabilizes.
Interference from other Bluetooth devices can also cause drops. If you have multiple Bluetooth devices connected — headphones, keyboard, phone — try turning off the others temporarily to see if that improves the mouse connection. If it does, you may need to move devices farther apart or switch one to a wired connection.
Removing a mouse from your Mac
If you want to pair a different mouse or stop using a wireless mouse altogether, you can remove it from your Bluetooth list. Open System Settings > Bluetooth, find the mouse in the list, and click the X or Remove button next to its name.
Removing a mouse does not delete it permanently — you can pair it again anytime by putting it into pairing mode and selecting it from the Bluetooth search results. Removing is useful if you are troubleshooting a connection problem or switching to a different device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pair my mouse every time I turn on my Mac?
No. Once paired, your mouse reconnects automatically whenever both your Mac and the mouse are powered on and Bluetooth is enabled. You only pair once, unless you remove the mouse from your Bluetooth list or reset the mouse to factory settings.
Can I use multiple wireless mice with one Mac?
Yes. You can pair as many mice as you want to your Mac, though only one can be active at a time. Switch between them by turning off the one you are not using and turning on the one you want. Your Mac will connect to whichever mouse is powered on.
What if my mouse is paired but the cursor does not move?
Check the battery first — a low or dead battery is the most common cause. If the battery is fine, move the mouse closer to your Mac to rule out range issues. If the cursor still does not move, restart both the mouse and your Mac, then try again.
Why does my mouse work sometimes but not other times?
Intermittent connection problems usually point to low battery, interference from other devices, or your Mac going to sleep. Replace the battery, move other Bluetooth devices away, and check your Mac's sleep settings in System Settings > Lock Screen to see if it is sleeping too quickly.
Can I use a wireless mouse that was paired to a different computer?
Yes. A wireless mouse can be paired to multiple computers. Just put it into pairing mode and select it from your Mac's Bluetooth list. If the mouse is currently paired to another device, you may need to remove it from that device first, depending on the mouse model.