The basic steps to pair your Magic Mouse
An Apple Magic Mouse connects to your Mac or iPad through Bluetooth, which is a wireless technology that lets devices talk to each other over short distances without cables. To connect one, you turn on the mouse, make sure Bluetooth is on in your computer's settings, and then tell your computer to find and remember the mouse. Once paired, the mouse will reconnect automatically whenever you turn it on.
The whole process takes about two minutes and you only have to do it once. After that, the mouse works whenever it's in range and powered on.
Key Takeaways
- Magic Mouse uses Bluetooth to connect wirelessly, so you need to turn on Bluetooth in your Mac or iPad settings before pairing.
- The mouse must be turned on and in pairing mode (usually by holding the power button for a few seconds) before your computer can find it.
- Once paired, the mouse reconnects automatically and you do not need to repeat the setup unless you reset it or pair it with a different device.
- If the mouse does not appear in your Bluetooth list, check that the battery is charged and try restarting both the mouse and your computer.
Turning on Bluetooth on your Mac
On a Mac, Bluetooth is usually on by default, but you should verify it before trying to pair the mouse. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Look for Bluetooth in the left sidebar and click it.
You will see a toggle switch at the top of the Bluetooth panel. If it says "On" or shows a blue switch, Bluetooth is active. If it says "Off" or the switch is gray, click it to turn Bluetooth on. Leave this window open — you will need it in the next step.
Putting the Magic Mouse into pairing mode
The Magic Mouse has a power button on the bottom. Hold it down for about three seconds until you see a green light appear on the underside of the mouse. This green light means the mouse is in pairing mode and looking for a device to connect to.
If the light does not appear, the battery may be dead. Plug the mouse into a USB-C cable (the charging port is on the bottom) and wait a few minutes, then try again. A fully charged Magic Mouse holds a charge for weeks, so you should only need to charge it occasionally.
Finding and selecting the mouse in Bluetooth settings
With Bluetooth on and the mouse in pairing mode, look at the Bluetooth panel on your Mac. You should see "Magic Mouse" or a similar name appear in the list of available devices within a few seconds. Click on it.
Your Mac will ask you to confirm the pairing. Click "Connect" or "Pair" (the exact wording depends on your Mac's age). The mouse will now appear in your Bluetooth settings as a connected device, and the green light on the bottom will turn off.
Connecting a Magic Mouse to an iPad
The process on an iPad is nearly identical. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, then tap the Bluetooth icon to turn it on (it will turn blue when active). Put the Magic Mouse into pairing mode by holding the power button for three seconds.
Then go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, and wait for "Magic Mouse" to appear in the list. Tap it to connect. Once paired, the mouse will work with your iPad just like it does with a Mac, and it will reconnect automatically when you turn it on.
What to do if the mouse will not appear
If the Magic Mouse does not show up in your Bluetooth list after you hold the power button, the battery is usually the problem. Plug the mouse into a USB-C cable and let it charge for at least 15 minutes, then try pairing again. A mouse with a completely dead battery will not enter pairing mode.
If the battery is charged and the mouse still does not appear, restart your Mac or iPad completely. Turn it off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then turn on Bluetooth again and try pairing the mouse. If it still does not work, hold the power button on the mouse for 10 seconds (longer than the normal pairing time) to reset it, then try pairing once more.
Switching the mouse between devices
A Magic Mouse can be paired with multiple devices, but it can only connect to one at a time. If you want to use the same mouse with both a Mac and an iPad, you pair it with each device separately. When you turn on the mouse, it will automatically connect to whichever device it was last used with.
To switch to a different device, turn off the mouse, then turn it back on near the device you want to use. The mouse will connect to that device instead. You do not need to unpair it from the first device — just turning it off and on near a different device is enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Magic Mouse is charging?
When you plug the mouse into a USB-C cable, a small light on the bottom will turn on. While charging, the light is usually amber or orange. When fully charged, the light turns green. The mouse charges completely in about two hours.
Can I use a Magic Mouse with a Windows computer?
No. Magic Mouse is designed for Apple devices only and will not work with Windows PCs. Windows computers use different Bluetooth protocols, so even if you could pair the mouse, it would not function properly.
What if the mouse is already paired but stops working?
First, check that the battery is not dead by plugging it in for a few minutes. If the mouse still does not respond, turn it off and back on. If that does not work, go to Bluetooth settings, click the mouse name, and select "Forget This Device," then pair it again from the beginning.
Do I need to pair the mouse every time I use it?
No. Once paired, the mouse remembers your Mac or iPad and reconnects automatically whenever you turn it on. You only pair it once, unless you reset the mouse or want to use it with a different device.