The basic steps for connecting a wireless or Bluetooth mouse
To connect a Mac mouse, you turn on the mouse, hold down its power button or pairing button until a light flashes, then go to System Settings on your Mac and select Bluetooth. Your mouse will appear in the list of available devices — click it to pair. The whole process takes about a minute, and after that first time, your mouse will reconnect automatically whenever it's in range and turned on.
The exact button location and light behavior depend on which mouse model you own. Apple's Magic Mouse has a power button on the bottom. Third-party mice like Logitech or Razer often have a dedicated pairing button on the side or bottom. Check your mouse's manual or the manufacturer's website if you're unsure where to look.
If your mouse uses a USB receiver instead of Bluetooth, you skip the pairing step entirely — just plug the receiver into a USB port on your Mac and the mouse will work within seconds. Wired mice connect through a USB cable and need no pairing at all.
Key Takeaways
- Bluetooth mice require you to turn on the mouse, press its pairing button until the light flashes, then select it from your Mac's Bluetooth settings.
- USB receiver mice work when ready when you plug the receiver into any USB port, with no pairing step needed.
- Wired mice connect directly through a USB cable and start working as soon as they're plugged in.
- After the first pairing, a Bluetooth mouse reconnects automatically whenever you turn it on and it's within range of your Mac.
- If pairing fails, restart both the mouse and your Mac, then try again from the Bluetooth settings menu.
Where to find Bluetooth settings on your Mac
On any recent Mac, open System Settings (not System Preferences — Apple renamed it in macOS Ventura). Click the Bluetooth icon in the sidebar on the left. You'll see a list of devices your Mac has paired with before, and below that, a section showing devices available to pair right now.
If Bluetooth is turned off, you'll see a toggle at the top of the window. Turn it on, and your Mac will start searching for nearby devices. This is where your mouse will show up once you've pressed its pairing button.
What to do if your mouse doesn't appear in the Bluetooth list
First, make sure the mouse is actually turned on and has battery. Most wireless mice have a small LED that lights up or blinks when powered on. If the light isn't there, replace the batteries or charge the mouse if it's rechargeable.
Next, press and hold the pairing button longer — some mice need five to ten seconds of holding before they enter pairing mode. The light should flash or change color to show it's ready. If nothing happens, check the manual that came with your mouse or visit the manufacturer's support page to confirm you're pressing the right button.
If the mouse still doesn't appear, restart your Mac and try again. Sometimes Bluetooth gets stuck and needs a fresh start. Turn off the mouse, restart your Mac, turn the mouse back on, then return to Bluetooth settings and look for it again.
Reconnecting a mouse that was previously paired
Once you've paired a mouse with your Mac, it stays in your Bluetooth settings permanently. The next time you turn on that mouse, your Mac will recognize it and connect automatically — you don't need to pair it again.
If your mouse doesn't reconnect automatically, make sure Bluetooth is turned on in System Settings. Then turn the mouse off and back on. If it still doesn't connect, open Bluetooth settings, find the mouse in the list, and click "Connect" next to its name.
Using multiple mice on the same Mac
You can pair as many mice as you want with a single Mac. Each one will appear in your Bluetooth settings, and you can switch between them by turning one off and turning another on. Your Mac will connect to whichever mouse is powered on and in range.
This is useful if you use a trackpad at home and a mouse at the office, or if you have a backup mouse for when the first one runs out of battery. Just pair each one following the same steps, and they'll all be available whenever you need them.
Fixing common connection problems
If your mouse connects but then keeps disconnecting, the battery is usually the culprit. Replace the batteries or charge the mouse, then try again. Low battery causes the Bluetooth signal to drop in and out.
If the mouse is sluggish or the cursor jumps around, move it 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. Also check that no other device is trying to pair with your Mac at the same time — this can cause interference.
If you've tried everything and the mouse still won't work, forget it from your Bluetooth settings and pair it again from scratch. In System Settings, find the mouse in your Bluetooth list, click the information icon next to it, and select "Remove" or "Forget". Then turn the mouse off, press its pairing button again, and pair it as if it were new.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pair my mouse every time I use it?
No. After the first pairing, your mouse will reconnect automatically whenever you turn it on. You only pair once, unless you remove the mouse from your Bluetooth settings or reset it.
Can I use a Windows mouse with my Mac?
Yes. Most wireless and Bluetooth mice work with any computer, including Macs. Wired mice also work. Some buttons may not function if the mouse has Windows-specific features, but basic movement and clicking will work fine.
What if my Mac doesn't have Bluetooth?
Older Macs without built-in Bluetooth can use a USB receiver mouse or a wired mouse. You can also buy a USB Bluetooth adapter and plug it into a USB port, which adds Bluetooth to any Mac.
How do I know if my mouse is in pairing mode?
Most mice show a flashing light — usually white, blue, or green — when they're ready to pair. Some mice make a sound or vibrate. Check your mouse's manual to see what to expect, since behavior varies by brand and model.
Why does my mouse work on my iPad but not my Mac?
Your mouse may already be paired with your iPad and not in pairing mode. Turn off Bluetooth on your iPad, then try pairing the mouse with your Mac. If that doesn't work, unpair the mouse from your iPad first, then pair it with your Mac.