Connect Apple Magic Mouse via Bluetooth
The Apple Magic Mouse connects wirelessly through Bluetooth, which means you do not need a cable or receiver. Your device finds the mouse automatically once you turn it on and hold it near your Mac, iPad, or iPhone. The whole process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you are setting it up for the first time or reconnecting after the battery died.
Before you start, make sure your Apple Magic Mouse has power. If it is brand new, it comes with a Lightning cable in the box. Plug one end into the Lightning port on the bottom of the mouse and the other end into a USB power adapter or your computer's USB port. Let it charge for at least two hours. If you already own the mouse and it has not been used in a while, charge it for 30 minutes before attempting to connect.
Key Takeaways
- Charge your Apple Magic Mouse for at least two hours before connecting it for the first time, using the included Lightning cable.
- Turn on Bluetooth on your Mac, iPad, or iPhone, then turn on the mouse by sliding the power switch on the bottom to the green dot.
- Your device will detect the mouse within 10 to 15 seconds and show it in the Bluetooth menu as "Magic Mouse".
- Once paired, the mouse stays connected automatically whenever both devices are powered on and within Bluetooth range.
- If the mouse does not appear, restart Bluetooth on your device or hold the mouse near your computer for 30 seconds.
Turn on Bluetooth and the Mouse
On your Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar. If you do not see it, go to System Settings, click Bluetooth on the left side, and toggle it on. The menu bar icon will appear once Bluetooth is active. On iPad or iPhone, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and turn it on. The toggle will turn green when Bluetooth is running.
Now turn on the Apple Magic Mouse itself. Flip it over and look at the bottom. You will see a small power switch with a green dot on one end and a gray dot on the other. Slide the switch toward the green dot. The mouse will power on and begin broadcasting its Bluetooth signal. You should see a small light on the bottom of the mouse turn on or pulse, depending on your model.
Find and Select the Mouse in Bluetooth Settings
On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar again. Within 10 to 15 seconds, you should see "Magic Mouse" appear in the list of available devices. Click it. Your Mac will pair with the mouse automatically — you do not need to enter a code or confirm anything. Once paired, the menu bar icon will show a small dot next to the Bluetooth symbol, indicating a connected device.
On iPad or iPhone, the process is identical. Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and wait for "Magic Mouse" to appear under "Other Devices". Tap the name. The device will pair immediately, and you will see "Connected" appear next to the mouse name. If the mouse does not show up within 30 seconds, restart Bluetooth by toggling it off and back on, then try again.
What to Do If the Mouse Does Not Appear
If you turn on the mouse and it does not show up in your Bluetooth menu within 30 seconds, the most common cause is that Bluetooth is not actually on. Double-check by opening Bluetooth settings again. On Mac, make sure the toggle in System Settings is switched on. On iPad or iPhone, confirm the Bluetooth toggle in Settings is green. Sometimes the toggle appears on but is not fully active — try turning it off, waiting five seconds, and turning it back on.
If Bluetooth is definitely on and the mouse still does not appear, hold the mouse within six inches of your device for 30 seconds. Bluetooth has a short range when pairing, and distance can prevent detection. If that does not work, charge the mouse for another 30 minutes — a low battery can prevent the mouse from broadcasting its signal strongly enough to be found. After charging, try the pairing process again from the beginning.
Reconnect a Mouse That Was Previously Paired
If you have already connected this mouse to your device before but it is not showing up now, the pairing information is still stored. Turn on the mouse by sliding the power switch to green. Open Bluetooth settings on your device. The mouse should appear under "Connected Devices" or "My Devices" within 10 seconds. If it does, you are done — it will reconnect automatically every time you turn on the mouse from now on.
If the mouse was previously paired but does not reconnect automatically, it may have been forgotten. In that case, it will appear under "Other Devices" instead of "Connected Devices". Tap or click it to pair again. This usually happens if you have not used the mouse in several weeks or if you recently reset your device. The reconnection process is instant and requires no additional steps.
Use the Mouse Once Connected
Once the Apple Magic Mouse is paired, it works immediately. Move it around your screen to control the cursor. Click the top surface to left-click. Swipe two fingers across the top to scroll or navigate between pages. Swipe left or right with two fingers to move forward or backward in web browsers and documents. These gestures work on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, though some iPad and iPhone apps may not support all gestures.
The mouse will stay connected as long as both your device and the mouse are powered on and within Bluetooth range — typically 30 feet indoors. If you turn off the mouse or move out of range, the connection will drop. When you turn the mouse back on or move back into range, it will reconnect automatically without any action from you. You do not need to re-pair it each time.
Charge Your Mouse Regularly
The Apple Magic Mouse battery lasts about one month with normal daily use. When the battery gets low, your device will show a notification. Charge the mouse using the same Lightning cable that came in the box. Plug one end into the Lightning port on the bottom of the mouse and the other end into a USB power adapter or your computer. The mouse will charge while you use it — you do not have to stop working.
A full charge takes about two hours from completely empty. You can check the battery level on Mac by clicking the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and looking at the percentage next to "Magic Mouse". On iPad or iPhone, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, and look for the battery percentage next to the mouse name. Charge the mouse when it drops below 20 percent to avoid unexpected disconnections during work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Apple Magic Mouse with Windows?
No. The Apple Magic Mouse is designed for macOS, iPadOS, and iOS only. It will not pair with Windows computers or Android devices. If you need a mouse for Windows, you will need a different wireless mouse designed for that system.
Do I need to pair the mouse every time I turn it on?
No. Once you pair the mouse the first time, it stays paired to your device. Every time you turn on the mouse, it will reconnect automatically. You only need to go through the pairing process once, unless you forget the device or pair it with a different computer.
Why does my mouse keep disconnecting?
The most common cause is a low battery. Charge the mouse for at least 30 minutes. If disconnections continue after charging, try moving closer to your device — Bluetooth can be disrupted by distance or interference from other wireless devices like routers or microwaves. If the problem persists, restart Bluetooth on your device or unpair and re-pair the mouse.
Can I use one Apple Magic Mouse with multiple devices?
Yes, but only one at a time. You can pair the mouse with your Mac, iPad, and iPhone, but it will only connect to whichever device is currently powered on and in range. To switch the mouse to a different device, turn off the mouse, turn it back on near the new device, and it will connect to that device instead.
What if I lost the charging cable?
You can purchase a replacement Lightning cable from Apple or any electronics retailer that sells Apple accessories. Any standard Lightning cable will work — you do not need the exact cable that came with the mouse. The cable costs between $15 and $25 depending on length and where you buy it.