Connecting an Apple Mouse takes two minutes and three steps
Turn on your Apple Mouse, hold it near your Mac, and your Mac will detect it automatically. Open System Settings, go to Bluetooth, and click the mouse name when it appears in the list. Your Mac will pair with it immediately — you do not need to enter a code or download anything.
The process is the same whether you own a Magic Mouse, Magic Mouse 2, or Magic Trackpad. Once paired, the mouse stays connected to that Mac. If you want to use the same mouse on a different Mac, you unpair it from the first one and repeat the steps on the second.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Mice connect via Bluetooth and pair automatically when you open System Settings and select the mouse from the Bluetooth list.
- Your Mac must have Bluetooth turned on, which is the default setting on all modern Macs.
- A single Apple Mouse can pair with multiple Macs, but it connects to only one at a time.
- If your mouse does not appear in Bluetooth settings, restart both the mouse and your Mac, then try again.
Check that Bluetooth is on before you start
Bluetooth is turned on by default on every Mac, but you should verify it is active before pairing. Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top right of your screen — it looks like a fan or curved lines. If the icon is not there, open System Settings, click Bluetooth in the sidebar, and make sure the toggle next to Bluetooth is switched on.
If you have never used Bluetooth on this Mac before, the icon may not be visible in the menu bar yet. That is normal. Opening System Settings and turning Bluetooth on will make it appear.
Turn on your Apple Mouse and place it near your Mac
Flip your Apple Mouse over and locate the power switch on the bottom. Slide it to the On position — you will see a green light appear. Hold the mouse within a few feet of your Mac and wait a few seconds. Your Mac will begin searching for nearby Bluetooth devices.
If your mouse has been off for a while or paired with a different device, it may take 10 to 15 seconds to appear in your Mac's Bluetooth list. Do not move the mouse away during this time.
Select your mouse in System Settings and complete pairing
Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top left corner and selecting System Settings. Click Bluetooth in the sidebar on the left. Your Apple Mouse should appear in the list of available devices within a few seconds. Click its name — usually "Magic Mouse" or "Magic Mouse 2" — and your Mac will pair with it automatically.
You will see a checkmark appear next to the mouse name once pairing is complete. This takes less than a second. Your mouse is now ready to use.
What to do if your mouse does not appear in Bluetooth settings
If you do not see your mouse in the Bluetooth list after 30 seconds, restart both devices. Flip the mouse power switch to Off, wait 10 seconds, then flip it back to On. At the same time, restart your Mac by clicking the Apple menu, selecting Restart, and confirming. Once your Mac has restarted, open System Settings and Bluetooth again — your mouse should appear within a few seconds.
If the mouse still does not appear, check that the battery is not dead. Flip the mouse over and look at the battery indicator light on the bottom. If there is no light or the light is red, the battery needs charging. Plug the mouse into a USB-C cable and wait 30 minutes, then try pairing again.
Using the same mouse on multiple Macs
An Apple Mouse can pair with as many Macs as you own, but it connects to only one at a time. To switch the mouse to a different Mac, you do not need to unpair it from the first one — simply turn the mouse off, move it near the second Mac, turn it on, and pair it through System Settings on that Mac. The mouse will forget the first Mac and connect to the second instead.
If you want to use the mouse on the first Mac again later, repeat the same process: turn it off, move it near the first Mac, turn it on, and select it in Bluetooth settings. Your Mac will remember the pairing and reconnect automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my mouse keep disconnecting from my Mac?
A disconnecting mouse usually means the battery is low or the mouse is too far from your Mac. Check the battery indicator on the bottom of the mouse — if it is yellow or red, charge it for 30 minutes. If the battery is fine, move your mouse closer to your Mac. Walls, metal objects, and other wireless devices can weaken the Bluetooth signal.
Can I use an Apple Mouse with a Windows computer?
No. Apple Mice are designed to work only with Macs and iPads. They will not pair with Windows computers or Android devices. If you need a mouse for Windows, you will need a standard Bluetooth mouse or a wired USB mouse.
Do I need to install drivers or software to use an Apple Mouse?
No. Apple Mice work with macOS without any drivers or software installation. Once you pair the mouse in Bluetooth settings, it is ready to use immediately. Your Mac handles all the communication automatically.
What is the difference between Magic Mouse and Magic Mouse 2?
Magic Mouse 2 is the newer model and charges via USB-C instead of AA batteries. Both pair with your Mac the same way. Magic Mouse 2 also has a flat bottom and supports gestures like swiping and scrolling. The pairing process is identical for both versions.