The basic steps to pair a Bluetooth mouse
To connect a Bluetooth mouse to your Mac, turn on the mouse, open System Settings, go to Bluetooth, and select your mouse from the list. Your Mac will pair with it automatically once you confirm the connection. The whole process takes about a minute and works the same way on any recent macOS version.
Before you start, make sure your mouse has fresh batteries or is charged, and that Bluetooth is turned on in your Mac's menu bar. Most mice have a power switch on the bottom or side — check your mouse's manual if you are not sure where it is.
Key Takeaways
- Open System Settings, click Bluetooth, turn on your mouse, and select it from the available devices list to pair.
- Your Mac will remember the mouse after the first pairing, so you only need to turn the mouse on to reconnect it later.
- If your mouse does not appear in the Bluetooth list, restart the mouse, restart your Mac, or check that Bluetooth is actually on.
- Some mice require you to hold a pairing button for a few seconds before they show up in System Settings — check your mouse's instructions.
Step-by-step pairing instructions
Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting System Settings. On the left sidebar, click Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — you will see a toggle at the top of the window.
Turn on your mouse. Most mice have a power switch on the bottom or back. Some mice enter pairing mode automatically when turned on, while others require you to hold a dedicated pairing button (often marked with a Bluetooth symbol) for three to five seconds. Check your mouse's manual if you are not sure which applies to yours.
Wait a few seconds for your mouse to appear in the Bluetooth list under "Available Devices." Click on your mouse's name. Your Mac will connect to it and move it to the "Connected" section. You may see a prompt asking you to confirm the pairing — click Connect if one appears.
What to do if your mouse does not show up
If your mouse does not appear in the Bluetooth list after 30 seconds, turn the mouse off and back on again. Some mice need a moment to enter pairing mode. If it still does not appear, restart your Mac and try again — sometimes the Bluetooth system needs a fresh start.
Check that Bluetooth is actually on. Look at the menu bar in the top-right corner of your screen — you should see a Bluetooth icon. If you do not see it, open System Settings, click Bluetooth, and toggle it on. If the icon is there but grayed out, your Mac's Bluetooth hardware may need attention — try restarting your Mac first.
Some mice have a range limit. Make sure your mouse is within 10 feet of your Mac. If your mouse uses a pairing button, hold it down for longer — some require five to ten seconds before they enter pairing mode. Refer to your mouse's manual for the exact timing.
Reconnecting after the first pairing
Once your mouse is paired, your Mac remembers it. The next time you turn on the mouse, it will connect automatically without any action from you. You do not need to go back into System Settings or repeat the pairing process.
If your mouse does not reconnect automatically, make sure Bluetooth is on and the mouse is turned on. If it still does not connect, forget the device and pair it again. In System Settings, go to Bluetooth, find your mouse in the Connected list, click the information icon next to it, and select "Remove." Then turn your mouse off and on again and pair it fresh.
Troubleshooting connection problems
If your mouse connects but then disconnects repeatedly, the batteries may be low. Replace the batteries or charge the mouse if it is rechargeable. Low battery is the most common reason for dropped connections.
If your 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 interfere. Microwaves and Wi-Fi routers are common sources of interference — try moving your mouse or Mac away from them.
If your mouse connects but does not work at all, restart your Mac. If that does not help, forget the device in System Settings and pair it again from scratch. Make sure you are using the correct mouse model — some mice are designed for Windows and may not work fully on Mac, though most modern mice work with both.
Using multiple mice on one Mac
You can pair more than one Bluetooth mouse to your Mac at the same time. Each mouse will appear in the Bluetooth list, and you can switch between them by turning one off and turning another on. Your Mac will recognize whichever mouse is active.
If you want to use two mice at once, both will work, but your Mac will treat them as a single input device — the cursor will respond to whichever one moved last. This is useful if you have a mouse at your desk and a trackpad on your laptop, but not ideal if you need two independent pointers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pair my mouse every time I use my Mac?
No. After the first pairing, your Mac remembers the mouse. Simply turn the mouse on and it will connect automatically. You only need to pair it again if you forget the device in System Settings or if you are connecting to a different Mac.
Can I use a Bluetooth mouse with an older Mac?
Most Bluetooth mice work with Macs from the last 10 years. Check your mouse's manual to see which operating systems it supports. Very old mice designed for older Macs may not work with current versions of macOS, but this is rare with modern mice.
Why does my mouse keep disconnecting?
Low batteries are the most common cause. Replace or charge your mouse. If that does not help, try moving it closer to your Mac or away from sources of interference like microwaves or Wi-Fi routers. You can also forget the device and pair it again.
What if my mouse has a USB receiver instead of Bluetooth?
That is a different type of wireless connection, not Bluetooth. Plug the receiver into a USB port on your Mac and the mouse should work immediately without any pairing. Check your mouse's manual to confirm which type of wireless connection it uses.
Can I use a Bluetooth mouse with an iPad or iPhone?
Yes. The pairing process is similar — go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, turn on your mouse, and select it from the list. Bluetooth mice work with iPads and iPhones running recent versions of iOS and iPadOS, though not all features may be available on mobile devices.