The basic steps to pair your Apple mouse
An Apple mouse connects to your Mac through Bluetooth, a wireless technology that lets devices talk to each other without cables. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you have a Magic Mouse, Magic Mouse 2, or Magic Trackpad.
Turn on your Apple mouse by sliding the power switch on the bottom toward the green dot. On newer models, you may see a light flash on the underside — that means it's searching for a device to connect to. Then go to the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your Mac screen, click System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs), and select Bluetooth.
Your mouse should appear in the list of available devices within a few seconds. Click it, and your Mac will pair with it automatically. Once paired, the mouse will reconnect to your Mac every time you turn it on, as long as they're in the same room.
Key Takeaways
- Apple mice use Bluetooth to connect wirelessly, and pairing happens through System Settings on your Mac.
- The power switch is on the bottom of the mouse — slide it toward the green dot to turn it on.
- Your mouse will appear in the Bluetooth list within seconds of being turned on, and you click it once to pair.
- Once paired, the mouse reconnects automatically each time you turn it on, so you only pair once.
- If your mouse doesn't appear, restart Bluetooth by turning the mouse off and on again, or restart your Mac.
What to do if your mouse doesn't show up
If you don't see your mouse in the Bluetooth list after 30 seconds, the most common fix is to turn the mouse off and back on. Slide the power switch away from the green dot for five seconds, then slide it back. Wait another 10 seconds and check the Bluetooth list again.
If it still doesn't appear, restart your Mac's Bluetooth entirely. In System Settings, click the Bluetooth toggle to turn it off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. Your mouse should appear within a few seconds. If you're still not seeing it, try restarting your Mac — this clears out any stuck connections and usually solves the problem.
On very rare occasions, an older mouse may have a pairing button on the bottom that you need to hold down for a few seconds before it appears in the list. Check the bottom of your mouse for a small recessed button, and if you find one, hold it for three to five seconds while the Bluetooth settings are open.
Checking battery level and connection status
Once your mouse is paired, you can see its battery level in System Settings. Open System Settings, go to Bluetooth, and look for your mouse in the list. Next to its name, you'll see the battery percentage — if it's below 10 percent, the mouse will start to behave erratically, and you should replace the batteries soon.
If your mouse keeps disconnecting, the battery is usually the culprit. Apple mice use either AA or AAA batteries depending on the model. Check the battery compartment on the bottom of your mouse to see which size it takes, and replace them with fresh alkaline batteries. Rechargeable batteries work too, but alkaline batteries tend to last longer in wireless mice.
A connected mouse will show "Connected" next to its name in the Bluetooth list. If it shows "Not Connected" but is still in the list, your Mac remembers it but isn't currently talking to it — turning the mouse off and on again will reconnect it.
Moving your mouse between multiple Macs
An Apple mouse can be paired to more than one Mac, but it can only connect to one at a time. If you want to use the same mouse with two different Macs, you pair it to both, then switch which one it's connected to by turning it off and on again near the Mac you want to use.
When you turn the mouse on near a Mac it's already paired with, it will connect to that Mac automatically. You don't need to go back into Bluetooth settings or do anything else — just power it on and it finds the right device. This is useful if you have a Mac at home and a Mac at work, or a MacBook and a desktop Mac in the same house.
If you want to unpair the mouse from a Mac entirely, go to System Settings, click Bluetooth, find the mouse in the list, click the information icon next to it, and select Remove. The mouse will no longer connect to that Mac, though you can pair it again anytime by following the original steps.
Troubleshooting a mouse that keeps disconnecting
If your mouse connects but then drops the connection every few minutes, the problem is almost always low batteries. Check the battery level in System Settings first — if it's below 20 percent, replace the batteries and test the mouse for a few minutes before assuming anything else is wrong.
If the batteries are fresh and the mouse still disconnects, try moving closer to your Mac. Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet in open space, but walls, metal objects, and other wireless devices can reduce that. If you're sitting far from your Mac or there are thick walls between you and the computer, move closer and see if the disconnections stop.
Wireless interference from other devices can also cause problems. Microwaves, Wi-Fi routers, and some cordless phones operate on the same 2.4 GHz frequency as Bluetooth. If disconnections happen mainly when you're using Wi-Fi or when the microwave is running, move your Mac's Wi-Fi router away from where you use the mouse, or try using your mouse in a different room.
Connecting a Magic Trackpad instead of a mouse
A Magic Trackpad pairs exactly the same way as an Apple mouse — turn it on, go to System Settings, click Bluetooth, and select it from the list. The power switch is on the back edge of the trackpad, and you slide it toward the green dot just like a mouse.
Magic Trackpads use the same battery compartment as mice and show battery level the same way in System Settings. They can also be paired to multiple Macs and moved between them by turning off and on again. If a trackpad disconnects or doesn't appear, the troubleshooting steps are identical to those for a mouse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to install software or drivers to use an Apple mouse with my Mac?
No. Apple mice work with macOS automatically — you just pair them through Bluetooth and they're ready to use. Your Mac has all the software it needs built in, so there's nothing to read or install.
Can I use an Apple mouse with a Windows computer?
Yes, Apple mice work with Windows PCs through Bluetooth. Pair it the same way you would on a Mac — go to Bluetooth settings in Windows, look for the mouse in the available devices list, and click it to connect. All the basic functions work, though some Mac-specific gestures may not be available.
Why does my mouse work for a few minutes then stop responding?
Low batteries are the most common cause. Check the battery level in System Settings — if it's below 20 percent, replace the batteries. If batteries are fresh, try moving closer to your Mac or away from other wireless devices like Wi-Fi routers or microwaves, which can interfere with Bluetooth.
What's the difference between a Magic Mouse and a Magic Trackpad?
A Magic Mouse is shaped like a traditional mouse and works with hand movements across a flat surface. A Magic Trackpad is a flat rectangular pad you tap and swipe on, similar to a laptop trackpad. Both connect the same way and work with the same gestures, so the choice is personal preference.
Can I pair my Apple mouse to my iPhone or iPad?
Yes. Go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, turn it on, and select your mouse from the available devices list. The mouse works with iPads and iPhones running recent versions of iOS or iPadOS, though some gestures designed for Mac may not work the same way.