The basic process: turn on the mouse, open System Settings, and pair

To connect a Bluetooth mouse to your Mac, you turn on the mouse, open System Settings, navigate to Bluetooth, and select your mouse from the list. The whole process takes about two minutes. Your Mac will remember the mouse after the first pairing, so you won't have to do this again unless you reset the mouse or pair it with a different device.

Before you start, make sure your mouse has fresh batteries or is fully charged. A mouse with low power won't show up in the Bluetooth list, and that's the most common reason people think pairing isn't working.

Key Takeaways

  • Your mouse must be powered on and in pairing mode before your Mac can see it — check the mouse manual or look for a small button on the bottom.
  • System Settings is where you find Bluetooth on modern Macs; older Macs use System Preferences instead, but the steps are identical.
  • Once paired, your mouse connects automatically whenever both devices are on and in range — you don't need to pair it again.
  • If your mouse doesn't appear in the Bluetooth list, restart both the mouse and your Mac, then try again.

Step 1: Turn on your mouse and put it in pairing mode

Most Bluetooth mice have a power switch on the bottom or side. Flip it to the On position. Then look for a small button labeled "Pair," "Connect," or sometimes just a Bluetooth symbol — it's usually on the bottom of the mouse. Press and hold this button for three to five seconds until you see a light blink or flash. That blinking light means the mouse is in pairing mode and ready to be found by your Mac.

If your mouse doesn't have a dedicated pairing button, check the manual that came with it. Some mice enter pairing mode automatically when you turn them on for the first time, or when you hold down the power button for a few seconds. The manual will tell you exactly what to do.

Step 2: Open System Settings and go to Bluetooth

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings. On older Macs running Monterey or earlier, this is called System Preferences instead — the steps are the same either way.

Once System Settings opens, look for Bluetooth in the sidebar on the left. Click it. You should see a list of available devices. If Bluetooth is turned off, you'll see a toggle switch at the top — click it to turn Bluetooth on.

Step 3: Select your mouse from the list

Your mouse should appear in the Bluetooth list within a few seconds. It will show the mouse's name — usually something like "Logitech Mouse" or "Apple Magic Mouse" — and it will say "Not Connected" next to it. Click on your mouse's name.

Your Mac will now pair with the mouse. You might see a dialog asking you to confirm the pairing. If you do, click Pair or Connect. The whole thing takes about 10 to 15 seconds.

Step 4: Confirm the connection is working

Once pairing is complete, the status next to your mouse's name will change from "Not Connected" to "Connected." Move your mouse around on your desk — the cursor on your screen should follow. If it does, you're done. Close System Settings.

From now on, whenever you turn on your mouse and your Mac is nearby, they'll connect automatically. You won't see any notifications or prompts — it just happens in the background.

What to do if your mouse doesn't show up in the Bluetooth list

The most common reason a mouse doesn't appear is that it has low or dead batteries. Replace the batteries with fresh ones, wait a few seconds, and check the Bluetooth list again. If your mouse is rechargeable, plug it in for at least 30 minutes before trying again.

If the batteries are fine, restart your mouse by turning it off and back on, then make sure it's in pairing mode again. If it still doesn't show up, restart your Mac. Turn it off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then open System Settings and check the Bluetooth list again. In most cases, the mouse will appear after a restart.

If your mouse has a pairing button and you've already paired it with another device, it might still be trying to connect to that device instead of your Mac. Check the other device's Bluetooth settings and disconnect the mouse there first, then try pairing it with your Mac again.

How to disconnect or forget a mouse

If you want to stop using a mouse with your Mac but might use it again later, you can simply turn off the mouse. It will disconnect, but your Mac will remember it. The next time you turn the mouse on, it will reconnect automatically.

If you want to completely remove the mouse from your Mac so it won't reconnect automatically, open System Settings, go to Bluetooth, find your mouse in the list, and click the X or Remove button next to it. This erases the pairing. If you want to use that mouse with your Mac again in the future, you'll have to pair it from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my mouse keep disconnecting?

A disconnecting mouse usually has low batteries. Replace them with fresh ones. If the mouse is rechargeable, charge it fully. If disconnections continue, move your Mac and mouse closer together — Bluetooth works best within 30 feet, but obstacles like walls or metal objects can weaken the signal.

Can I use the same mouse with multiple Macs?

Yes. Pair the mouse with the first Mac, then pair it again with the second Mac. The mouse will remember both Macs. When you turn on the mouse, it will try to connect to whichever Mac it was last paired with, but you can manually switch it in that Mac's Bluetooth settings.

Do I need to pair my mouse every time I turn on my Mac?

No. Once you've paired a mouse, your Mac remembers it. The next time you turn on the mouse, it will connect automatically without any action from you. You only pair once, unless you reset the mouse or remove it from your Mac's Bluetooth settings.

What's the difference between a Magic Mouse and a regular Bluetooth mouse?

A Magic Mouse is Apple's own mouse and pairs the same way as any other Bluetooth mouse. The only difference is that Magic Mouse has touch gestures built in — you can swipe and scroll on the top surface. Regular Bluetooth mice just have buttons and a scroll wheel. Both pair identically.

Can I use a wired mouse instead of Bluetooth?

Yes. A wired mouse plugs into a USB port on your Mac and works immediately without any pairing. Wired mice never run out of battery, but they're less convenient because you have a cable. Bluetooth mice are wireless but need batteries or charging.