The basic steps to pair a Bluetooth mouse
To connect a Bluetooth mouse to your Mac, turn on the mouse, open System Settings, go to Bluetooth, and select your mouse from the list. The whole process takes about two minutes and works the same way on any recent Mac running macOS Monterey or newer.
Your mouse needs to be in pairing mode first — usually this means holding a button on the bottom for three to five seconds until a light blinks. Check your mouse manual if you are unsure which button or how long to hold it. Once the mouse is in pairing mode, it will show up in your Mac's Bluetooth list as "Not Connected" or with a pairing icon next to its name.
Click the mouse name in the Bluetooth menu, wait for the connection to complete, and you are done. Your Mac will remember this mouse and reconnect automatically the next time you turn it on, as long as Bluetooth stays enabled on your Mac.
Key Takeaways
- Put your mouse in pairing mode by holding the designated button (usually on the bottom) for three to five seconds until a light blinks.
- Open System Settings, click Bluetooth, and select your mouse from the list to complete the connection.
- Your Mac will automatically reconnect to the mouse each time you turn it on, so you only pair once.
- If your mouse does not appear in the Bluetooth list, restart both the mouse and your Mac, then try pairing again.
Where to find Bluetooth settings on your Mac
On any recent Mac, open System Settings from the Apple menu in the top left corner. Click "Bluetooth" in the sidebar — it is usually near the top of the list. You will see a list of devices your Mac can connect to, and a toggle at the top to turn Bluetooth on or off.
If Bluetooth is turned off, toggle it on first. Wait a few seconds for your Mac to start scanning for devices. Your mouse should appear in the list within 10 to 15 seconds if it is in pairing mode and within range (usually 30 feet or less, though walls and interference can reduce this).
On older Macs running macOS Big Sur or earlier, the path is slightly different: click the Apple menu, choose System Preferences instead of System Settings, then click Bluetooth. The steps after that are identical.
What to do if your mouse does not appear
If your mouse is not showing up in the Bluetooth list, the most common reason is that it is not actually in pairing mode. Turn the mouse off completely, wait five seconds, then turn it back on while holding the pairing button. Some mice require you to hold the button continuously while the light blinks; others only need a brief press. Your mouse manual will specify which.
If the mouse still does not appear, restart your Mac. Shut it down completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Once your Mac has restarted, go back to System Settings > Bluetooth and try pairing again. Restarting clears temporary Bluetooth glitches that prevent your Mac from seeing nearby devices.
If you have restarted both devices and the mouse still does not show up, try moving the mouse closer to your Mac — interference from walls, metal objects, or other wireless devices can sometimes prevent pairing at a distance. Once paired, the connection is usually more stable than during the initial pairing process.
How to disconnect or forget a mouse
If you want to stop using a mouse but keep it paired, straightforward turn the mouse off. Your Mac will not try to reconnect until you turn the mouse back on. The pairing information stays stored on your Mac.
To completely remove a mouse from your Mac so it no longer auto-connects, open System Settings > Bluetooth, find the mouse in the list, and click the "X" or "Remove" button next to its name. This erases the pairing. If you want to use that mouse again later, you will need to pair it from scratch.
Troubleshooting a mouse that was paired but stopped working
If your mouse was working and suddenly stopped responding, the first step is to check the battery. Most wireless mice use AA or AAA batteries, and a low battery is the most common reason for connection loss. Replace the batteries and wait 10 seconds for the mouse to reconnect.
If the battery is fine, turn the mouse off and back on. This forces it to reconnect to your Mac. If that does not work, go to System Settings > Bluetooth, click the "X" next to the mouse name to forget it, then pair it again from scratch. This clears any corrupted connection data on your Mac.
If the mouse still does not work after re-pairing, restart your Mac. A restart clears Bluetooth cache and often fixes connection problems that survive a straightforward disconnect and reconnect. After your Mac restarts, turn the mouse on and it should reconnect automatically.
Understanding Bluetooth range and interference
Bluetooth works best when your mouse is within 30 feet of your Mac and in the same room. Walls, metal objects, and other wireless devices (like Wi-Fi routers, cordless phones, or microwaves) can reduce this range or cause temporary disconnections. If your mouse keeps dropping the connection, try moving it closer to your Mac or moving your Mac away from other wireless devices.
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi both use the 2.4 GHz frequency, so they can interfere with each other. If you notice your mouse disconnecting when you are downloading large files or streaming video, this is usually the cause. Moving your Mac or mouse a few feet away from your Wi-Fi router often solves the problem.
Some older Macs have weaker Bluetooth radios than newer models, which means they have shorter range and are more prone to interference. If you are using a Mac from 2015 or earlier and your mouse keeps disconnecting even when close by, a restart of your Mac often helps temporarily, though the problem may return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pair my Bluetooth mouse every time I turn on my Mac?
No. Once you pair a mouse to your Mac, the pairing is permanent until you forget the device. Your Mac will automatically reconnect to the mouse each time you turn it on, as long as the mouse is turned on and Bluetooth is enabled on your Mac.
Can I use the same Bluetooth mouse with multiple Macs?
Yes, but you can only connect to one Mac at a time. You will need to pair the mouse to each Mac separately. To switch the mouse between Macs, turn it off, turn it on near the other Mac, and it will reconnect to whichever Mac it was last paired with. Some mice allow you to pair with multiple devices and switch between them with a button, but this depends on the specific model.
Why does my mouse cursor jump around or move slowly?
A jumping cursor usually means low battery. Replace the batteries in your mouse. A slow cursor typically means interference — try moving the mouse closer to your Mac or away from other wireless devices. If the problem persists, forget the mouse and pair it again.
What if my Mac does not have Bluetooth?
All Macs made in the last 15 years have Bluetooth built in. If your Mac is older than that, you can add Bluetooth with a USB adapter, though this is uncommon. Check your Mac's age in System Settings > About This Mac to see if Bluetooth is likely available.
Can I use a wired mouse instead of Bluetooth?
Yes. A wired USB mouse will work on any Mac without any setup — just plug it in. Wired mice never have battery or connection issues, but they require a cable and limit how far you can sit from your Mac.