The basic steps to pair a Bluetooth mouse
To connect a Bluetooth mouse to your MacBook, turn on the mouse first, then go to System Settings on your Mac, select Bluetooth, and click the Add button (or the plus sign) when your mouse appears in the list. Your MacBook will pair with it automatically once you confirm the connection.
The whole process usually takes less than a minute. Your mouse will stay connected to that MacBook until you unpair it or connect it to a different device. Most Bluetooth mice remember your MacBook, so the next time you turn on the mouse near your Mac, it reconnects without any extra steps.
Key Takeaways
- Turn on your Bluetooth mouse and make sure it has batteries or is charged before you start pairing.
- Open System Settings, click Bluetooth in the sidebar, and wait for your mouse to show up in the list of available devices.
- Click the Connect button next to your mouse's name to complete the pairing.
- If your mouse does not appear, restart Bluetooth on your Mac by toggling it off and back on in System Settings.
- Once paired, your mouse will reconnect automatically when you turn it on near your MacBook.
Where to find Bluetooth settings on your Mac
On newer MacBooks running macOS Ventura or later, open System Settings from the Apple menu in the top-left corner. Click Bluetooth in the sidebar on the left. On older Macs running Big Sur or Monterey, the path is the same: Apple menu, then System Preferences, then Bluetooth.
You will see a list of devices your Mac has paired with before, plus a section showing available devices nearby. Your mouse should appear in the available devices section once you turn it on and it enters pairing mode. If you do not see it right away, wait 10 to 15 seconds — some mice take a moment to broadcast their signal.
Putting your mouse into pairing mode
Most Bluetooth mice enter pairing mode automatically when you turn them on for the first time. If your mouse has already been paired with another device, you may need to hold down a small button on the bottom or side of the mouse for 3 to 5 seconds until a light blinks. Check your mouse's manual or the manufacturer's website to find the exact button and how long to hold it.
Some mice, like Apple's Magic Mouse or Magic Mouse 2, do not have a separate pairing button — they pair as soon as you turn them on. Others, like Logitech or Microsoft mice, have a dedicated pairing button you press once. The light on your mouse will usually blink faster or change color when it is in pairing mode and looking for a device to connect to.
What to do if your mouse does not show up
If your mouse is on but not appearing in the Bluetooth list, first check that it has power. Replace the batteries if it uses them, or plug it in to charge if it is rechargeable. A mouse with low battery will sometimes not broadcast its signal strongly enough for your Mac to detect it.
Next, turn off Bluetooth on your Mac entirely by clicking the Bluetooth icon in Control Center (top-right corner) or by toggling it off in System Settings. Wait 10 seconds, then turn Bluetooth back on. This resets the connection and often makes nearby devices visible again. If your mouse still does not appear, restart your MacBook — sometimes the Bluetooth hardware needs a fresh start.
If you have already paired this mouse with another device, it may be connected to that device instead. Turn off Bluetooth on the other device, or unpair the mouse from it first. A mouse can only connect to one device at a time, so it will not show as available on your Mac if it is actively paired with something else.
Completing the pairing and testing the connection
Once your mouse appears in the Bluetooth list, click the Connect button next to its name. Your Mac will show a brief confirmation message, and the mouse will move to the "Connected" section of your Bluetooth settings. Move your mouse around on a flat surface — the cursor on your screen should follow smoothly without lag or stuttering.
Click and drag a window to test that the mouse buttons work. If the cursor moves but clicking does not register, or if the connection feels slow, your mouse may not have paired fully. Go back to Bluetooth settings, click the information icon next to your mouse's name, and select Disconnect. Then repeat the pairing process from the beginning.
Unpairing your mouse or connecting it to a different Mac
To disconnect your mouse temporarily without unpairing it, go to Bluetooth settings and click Disconnect next to the mouse's name. The next time you turn on the mouse near that MacBook, it will reconnect automatically. To permanently unpair it, click the information icon next to the mouse's name and select Forget This Device.
If you want to use the same mouse with a different MacBook, first unpair it from the original Mac using the Forget This Device option. Then turn on the mouse near the new MacBook, open Bluetooth settings, and pair it the same way you did the first time. The mouse will now connect to the new Mac instead.
Common issues and how to fix them
The mouse connects but the cursor moves slowly or jumps around. This usually means interference from other wireless devices. Move your MacBook away from Wi-Fi routers, cordless phones, or microwave ovens. If the problem continues, the mouse may be too far from your Mac — Bluetooth typically works best within 30 feet, but obstacles like walls reduce that range. Try moving closer to your Mac.
The mouse was working but suddenly disconnected. Check the battery level first. If the battery is low, the mouse may drop the connection. Replace or recharge it, then turn the mouse off and back on. If it still will not reconnect, go to Bluetooth settings, forget the device, and pair it again from scratch.
Your Mac keeps asking you to pair the mouse over and over. This usually means the pairing did not complete properly. Forget the device in Bluetooth settings, restart your MacBook, and try pairing again. Make sure your mouse is in pairing mode and fully charged before you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Bluetooth mouse that was paired with a Windows PC?
Yes. Bluetooth mice are not locked to one operating system. Unpair it from the Windows PC first, then pair it with your MacBook the same way you would any other mouse. The mouse will work with your Mac once it is connected.
Do I need to pair my mouse every time I turn on my MacBook?
No. Once paired, your mouse will reconnect automatically when you turn it on near your MacBook. You only need to pair it once, unless you unpair it or connect it to a different device.
What if my MacBook does not have Bluetooth?
All modern MacBooks have Bluetooth built in. If your Mac is very old and does not have Bluetooth, you can buy a USB Bluetooth adapter that plugs into a USB port. Pair your mouse to the adapter instead of directly to your Mac.
Can I use multiple Bluetooth mice with one MacBook?
You can pair multiple mice to your MacBook, but only one can be active at a time. Your Mac will use whichever mouse is turned on and closest to it. If you want to switch between mice, turn off the one you are not using.
Why does my mouse work on my MacBook but not on my iPad?
A mouse can only connect to one device at a time. If it is paired with your MacBook, it will not connect to your iPad until you unpair it from the MacBook first. Unpair it, then pair it with your iPad, and it will stay connected to the iPad until you switch it back.