The basic steps depend on whether your mouse is wireless or wired

A wired mouse plugs directly into a USB port on your Mac and starts working when ready — no setup needed. A wireless mouse requires you to turn it on, hold down a pairing button, then select it from your Mac's Bluetooth menu. Both types work the same way once connected, but wireless mice need batteries and occasional re-pairing if the connection drops.

The difference matters because a wired mouse is simpler and never loses connection, while a wireless mouse gives you freedom to move around without a cable. Most modern Macs come with a wireless trackpad or mouse, but you can use either type with any Mac made in the last ten years.

Key Takeaways

  • Wired mice plug into any USB port and work when ready without any setup steps.
  • Wireless mice need to be turned on and paired through your Mac's Bluetooth settings, which takes about one minute.
  • If your wireless mouse stops responding, toggling Bluetooth off and on in System Settings usually fixes it.
  • Most wireless mice need AA or AAA batteries, and you should replace them when the mouse starts moving slowly or stuttering.

Connecting a wired mouse

Plug the USB cable into any available USB port on your Mac. The port is a small rectangular slot, usually on the side of your MacBook or the back of your iMac. Your Mac recognizes the mouse when ready and you can start using it right away — no software installation or menu navigation required.

If your Mac has only USB-C ports (the small oval-shaped connectors on newer models), you will need a USB-C to USB adapter, which costs about ten dollars. The mouse will still work the same way once the adapter is in place.

Connecting a wireless mouse step by step

First, insert batteries into the mouse. Most wireless mice use two AA or AAA batteries — check the battery compartment on the bottom of the mouse to see which size. The compartment usually slides open or has a small screw you can turn with a coin.

Next, turn the mouse on. Look for a small power switch on the bottom or side, usually marked with a line or dot. You may see a light blink on the mouse when it powers up.

Now hold down the pairing button. This button is usually on the bottom of the mouse and may be labeled "Connect" or "Pair," or it may just be a small recessed button you press with a pen. Hold it for three to five seconds until you see the light on the mouse blink faster or change color — this means the mouse is searching for your Mac.

Open System Settings on your Mac. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner, then select "System Settings." On older Macs running Monterey or earlier, this is called "System Preferences" instead.

Navigate to Bluetooth. In System Settings, look for "Bluetooth" in the sidebar on the left. Click it to open the Bluetooth menu.

Select your mouse from the list. Your mouse should appear in the list of available devices within ten seconds. Click on it to pair. Your Mac will show "Connected" next to the mouse name when pairing is complete, usually within five seconds.

What to do if your wireless mouse will not pair

Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. In the Bluetooth menu, check that the toggle at the top says "On." If it says "Off," click it to turn Bluetooth on.

Try the pairing button again. Hold down the pairing button on the mouse for five to ten seconds this time, longer than before. Some mice need a longer press to enter pairing mode.

Move the mouse closer to your Mac. Bluetooth has a range of about thirty feet, but interference from walls or other devices can reduce that. Try pairing within six feet of your Mac.

Restart your Mac's Bluetooth. In the Bluetooth menu, toggle Bluetooth off, wait ten seconds, then toggle it back on. This clears temporary connection problems and often fixes pairing issues.

Check the battery. If the mouse is not responding at all, the batteries may be dead. Replace them with fresh ones and try pairing again.

Fixing a mouse that stops responding mid-use

If your wireless mouse was working but suddenly stops moving the cursor, the connection has dropped. Toggle Bluetooth off and on again in System Settings — this usually reconnects within five seconds.

If toggling Bluetooth does not work, restart your Mac. Hold down the power button until the screen goes black, wait ten seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. When your Mac restarts, the mouse should reconnect automatically.

If the mouse still does not respond after restart, the batteries are probably dead. Replace them with fresh batteries and the mouse should work again when ready.

Switching between multiple mice

Your Mac can remember multiple wireless mice. If you pair a second mouse, it appears in your Bluetooth menu alongside the first one. You can switch between them by turning one off and turning the other on — your Mac will use whichever mouse is powered on.

If you want to remove a mouse from your Mac's memory, open Bluetooth settings, find the mouse in the list, click the X or "Remove" button next to it, and confirm. This disconnects it permanently until you pair it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a mouse made for Windows on my Mac?

Yes. Any wired USB mouse or wireless mouse that uses standard Bluetooth works on Mac, Windows, and Linux. The mouse itself does not care what operating system you are using. Some mice have extra buttons that only work on Windows, but the basic left-click, right-click, and scroll wheel work on any system.

Why does my wireless mouse move slowly or stutter?

The batteries are running low. Replace them with fresh batteries and the mouse should respond normally. As batteries drain, the wireless signal weakens and the mouse becomes sluggish before it stops working entirely. Some mice have a low-battery indicator light, but the easiest test is just to swap in new batteries.

Do I need to install software or drivers for my mouse to work?

No. Standard mice work when ready on Mac without any software. Some gaming mice or mice with extra buttons come with software that lets you customize what those buttons do, but the mouse functions without it. You can install the software later if you want to use those features.

Can I use a trackpad and a mouse at the same time?

Yes. Your Mac will respond to both the trackpad and the mouse simultaneously. You can use whichever one you prefer at any moment. Some people keep both connected and switch between them depending on what they are doing.

What if my Mac does not have Bluetooth?

Older Macs (before 2008) do not have built-in Bluetooth. If your Mac has no Bluetooth menu in System Settings, you can only use a wired mouse. Plug it into a USB port and it will work when ready.