How to right-click on Mac With Full Guide (3 Ways – Sequoia/Sonoma)

How to right-click on Mac

The article explains five different ways to right-click on Mac computers, including using a Magic Mouse, any mouse, trackpad, force-touch trackpad, and a keyboard. These methods provide convenient options for users to perform right-click functions on Mac devices, enhancing the overall user experience.



Apple offers convenient ways of working with Mac computers. However, one of such innovations needs to be clarified for many users. This is unusual when you find the absence of the right-click button on the Apple mouse and trackpads. But fuss not; there are still different ways to right-click on Mac. We have covered all of them in the below article.

Right-Click on Mac Without a mouse, With Mouse, Trackpad

Before proceeding to a different way to right-click on Mac, ensure your Mac computer is updated to the latest macOS. 

Way 1: How to right-click with a Magic Mouse

One of the handiest ways to right-click on a Mac is by using a mouse. This feature is handy, especially for iMac users, and those using MacBooks mostly enjoy the functionality of responsive and highly sensitive touchpads.

Neither the Apple Magic Mouse nor the older Mouse doesn’t have a built-in button, but you can easily activate this function. Before moving forward, make sure it is connected via Bluetooth or plugged into a USB port.

To turn on right-clicking with Magic Mouse, follow the steps below. 

Step 1: On your Mac computer, navigate to the Apple Menu. Select System Settings…

Open System Settings On Mac

Step 2: Click Mouse from the left pane. Select the drop-down next to the Secondary-Click.

Step 3: From the resulting drop-down, select the desired option to right-click on your Mac computer.

Enable Right Side click on Mouse for Mac
  • Click on the Right-side: This is the default option, and it is assigned as a right-click function to the right side of Mouse.
  • Click on the Left Side: This option is for all lefties out there, and it assigns a right-click function to the right side of the Mouse.
  1. Now exit the window, and your Settings are saved.  

However, if you find a malfunctioning mouse, check out our article on the Magic mouse not working on Mac

Way 2: How to right-click with any mouse on a Mac

If you have a non-Apple Mouse with right and left buttons, you can simply click right button. But in case it’s not working, you can perform by right-click and pressing and holding the Control Button on your Mac keyboard + Click

Control + Click To Right Click On Mac

Another issue that many non-Apple Mouse need help with is scrolling in the opposite direction. However, if you find it inconvenient, hinder the Scroll Direction settings on your Mac. 

Way 3: How to right-click on a Mac Trackpad

The Apple Trackpad performs all the functions that you often do with your Mouse, including the right-click. To right-click on a Mac computer, you need to turn on the secondary click function in system settings…

  1. Go to the Apple Logo on your Mac computer.
  2. Select System Settings…
Open System Settings On Mac
  1. Choose Trackpad from the left pane.
  2. Click the Point & Click menu.
  3. Choose Secondary Click drop-down, and choose any of the options below.
Secondary Click Drop-Down Any Click In Trackpad On Mac
  • Click with two finger: This feature allows to right-click by slightly tapping on your Touchpad with 2 fingers.
  • Click in the bottom right corner: This option allows you to right-click by clicking on the bottom right corner of the touchpad. 
  • Click in the bottom left corner: If you’re left-handed, this option is for you, that’s because it allows you to right-click by clicking on the bottom left corner of your touchpad. 
  1. Now you can exit the window, your settings are registered. 
  • To configure tracking speed, stay at the trackpad window in the System Settings and drag the slider accordingly. 

Way 4: How to right-click on force-touch Trackpad

If you carry an older MacBook version, which was released in 2015 and later includes an enhanced trackpad, Force-Touch Trackpad. This allows you to open new options depending on how you press the trackpad. 

Even though you can right-click on Force Touch Trackpad the same way on other trackpads, you can also right-click by applying a certain pressure, which is a more comfortable option than others.

To adjust the pressure of your force-touch, follow the steps below.

  1. Go to the Apple Logo on your Mac computer.
  2. Select System Settings…
Open System Settings On Mac
  1. Click on Trackpad from the left pane.
  2. Choose Point & Click Menu.
  3. Search and select Click pressure slider and drag the slider according to your preferences…
  4. If you want to disable Force Click, turn off the toggle next to the Force Click And Haptic Feedback Option. 
Turn Off Force Click And Haptic Feedback Trackpad On Mac

Way 5: How to right-click on a Mac using a Keyboard

There is another alternative option for right-click on a Mac computer if Mouse or trackpad doesn’t have a built-in right-click button. You can easily access the drop-down menu with add-on features by pressing the Control Button on your Mac keyboard. 

Another option for right-click on Mac is by using the Accessibility option.

  1. Press Option + Command + F5 to access the Accessibility Window.
  2. In the new window, check the box next to the Mouse Keys.
  3. Select Done to save the change.
Check Mouse Keys Option + Command + F5 On Mac
  1. Now, you can press the Function + Control + I to right-click in the selected area.
Click Function + Control + I On Mac

However, the drawback of turning on Mouse Keys is that some keys on your Mac keyboard may not work properly. Therefore, we suggest turning off the function as soon as you’re done with right-clicking.

Why right-click on Mac?

Right-click offers better interaction, especially when extra contextual that aren’t available to a single clicker. For instance, you could right-click on Pages or Word and see multiple options for Paste, Cut, Change Font, and look for word definitions or synonyms. Moreover, you right-click on the application icon in the dock and select to quit it. It completely depends on the complexity of a program. 

Final Thought!

That’s It! These are 5 different ways to right-click on Mac. Do let us know which way you liked the most in the below comment box. 

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Karly Wood
Karly Wood

Karly Wood is a journalist based in Ohio who specializes in covering Apple and technology trends. With a varied experience in reporting on public safety, government, and education, her insights bridge multiple disciplines, providing readers with a well-rounded perspective on today's technological advancements. If you need to contact me, you can reach me at [email protected] or through (Facebook)

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