So, you’ve got a sleek, powerful MacBook, but one of the most basic computer functions seems to have vanished into thin air: the right-click.
If you’re coming from a Windows background, the smooth, buttonless surface of the Mac trackpad can be baffling. But don’t worry, the ability to open that crucial context menu—what Apple calls a “secondary click”—is right at your fingertips.
In this guide, we’ll break down every way to right-click, whether you’re using the built-in trackpad, a Magic Mouse, or even if you need to right-click on a Mac without a mouse at all. Mastering this simple skill is the key to unlocking a faster, more efficient workflow on your Mac.
It’s a common hurdle for new Mac users. You’re trying to access a menu, and muscle memory tells you to hit the right-click button, but there isn’t one.
The good news is that Apple has integrated this right-click function in several intuitive ways. From a simple two-finger tap on the trackpad to using a specific corner of it, or even a quick keyboard shortcut, you have options.
We’ll explore how to perform a right-click on a Mac using the trackpad with two fingers, how to set up your Apple Magic Mouse for a more traditional feel, and what to do when you’re only equipped with your keyboard. By the end, the right-click menu will be second nature.
01
of 09Mastering the Right-Click on a Mac Trackpad
For most MacBook users, the trackpad is their primary tool for navigation. And believe me, once you get the hang of it, you might never want to go back to a traditional mouse.
The MacBook trackpad is designed for gestures, and the primary method for a right click is built around this idea.
You don’t need to dig through settings to get this to work; it’s usually enabled by default. This gesture-based approach is at the core of the Mac experience, designed to be fluid and fast.
Let’s look at the two main ways you can use your mac trackpad to perform a secondary click.
02
of 09The Default Method: The Two-Finger Click
This is the go-to method for probably 90% of Mac users. It’s simple, efficient, and feels incredibly natural once you’ve done it a few times.
To perform a right-click, all you have to do is tap or press on the trackpad with two fingers simultaneously.
Just place two fingers anywhere on the trackpad’s surface and give it a light tap. That’s it! The familiar right-click menu will appear, giving you all the options you need.
You can also physically press down with two fingers until you hear a “click” sound. Both the tap and the physical click achieve the same result.
This two-finger click is the primary equivalent of a right-click on a Mac and is the reason many mac users don’t even bother connecting an external mouse. Using the trackpad with two fingers is the quintessential way to right click on mac.
03
of 09How to Enable Corner Click for a More Traditional Feel
If the two-finger tap isn’t your style, don’t sweat it. Maybe you prefer the distinct zones of a traditional trackpad.
Apple thought of that, too. You can configure your trackpad to register a click in the bottom right or left corner as a right-click.
To set this up, you’ll need to head into your System Settings.
Open System Settings (the gear icon in your Dock).
Scroll down and click on Trackpad.
Under the “Point & Click” tab, you’ll see an option for Secondary Click.
Click the dropdown menu next to it. By default, it’s set to “Click with two fingers.” You can change this to “Click in bottom right corner” or “Click in bottom left corner.”
Once you select one, that specific corner of the trackpad will now function as your dedicated right-click button.
Now, when you click in the bottom right corner, you’ll see the secondary click menu. This is a fantastic option if you want to replicate the feel of a Windows laptop.
You can choose to click which corner or click feels most comfortable for you.
04
of 09Using an Apple Magic Mouse for a Seamless Right-Click Function
The Apple Magic Mouse is a thing of beauty, but just like the trackpad, it lacks a visible right-click button. Its entire top surface is a single, seamless piece of acrylic.
So, how do you click the right side? The magic is that the mouse can tell where your finger is resting.
However, this feature sometimes needs to be enabled manually. If you’ve connected your Apple Magic Mouse and found that clicking on the right side does the same thing as clicking on the left, a quick trip to the settings will fix it right up.
This allows you to set up your mouse to behave exactly how you want it to.
05
of 09Setting Up Your Magic Mouse for Secondary Click
By default, your mac mouse might be set to function as a single-button device. To change this, you just need to tell it to distinguish between a right or left click.
Open System Settings.
Click on Mouse in the sidebar.
You’ll see a toggle for Secondary Click. Make sure it’s turned on.
Just below it, you can choose which side of the mouse you want to use for the right-click function. The default is “Click on right side,” but if you’re left-handed, you can easily switch it to “Click on left side.”
Once enabled, you can simply click on the right side of your Magic Mouse to bring up the context menu.
The mouse is smart enough to know the difference, as long as you’re only pressing with one finger on the right side of the mouse.
06
of 09How Do You Right Click On a Macbook with Any USB or Bluetooth Mouse
What if you’re not using an Apple mouse? No problem at all.
One of the great things about macOS is its plug-and-play compatibility with most third-party hardware. If you connect virtually any standard two-button USB or Bluetooth mouse to your MacBook, it should work right out of the box.
When you’re using a mouse, macOS will automatically recognize the left and right buttons. The right button will perform a right click just as you’d expect.
You can click right side without any special setup. If for some reason it doesn’t, you can typically go into System Settings > Mouse and adjust the settings for the secondary click there.
This makes it incredibly easy to use right-click functionality with your favorite non-Apple mac mouse.
07
of 09The Ultimate Trick: How to Right-Click on a Mac Without a Mouse
Picture this: your trackpad has malfunctioned, and your mouse is nowhere to be found. How do you survive?
There’s a built-in keyboard method to right-click on a mac without a mouse, and it’s a lifesaver.
This is the old-school Mac method that has been around for ages, and it’s incredibly reliable. You don’t need to enable anything; it just works.
This is the ultimate backup plan for when you need to perform a right-click and have no other pointing device available.
08
of 09The Classic Control-Click Method
The secret lies with the Control key on your keyboard. To perform a right-click, simply press and hold the Control key and then perform a normal click with your trackpad or mouse.
Control + Click = Right-Click
That’s all there is to it. When you hold down the Control key, you’re telling your Mac that the next click you make should be a secondary click.
This will bring up the exact same right-click menu you’d get from any other method. It’s a foolproof way to right-click on your macbook in any situation.
09
of 09My Hands-On Test: Finding the Best Way to Right-Click
As someone who has been navigating the ins and outs of Google’s algorithms and tech ecosystems for years, I’ve seen countless users struggle with the Mac’s “hidden” features.
To write this, I sat down with my MacBook Pro to consciously test each way to right-click.
When I first started using the macbook trackpad, the first thing I did was force myself to use the two-finger click. Honestly, it felt a little awkward for about an hour.
My brain was wired for a physical button. But then, something clicked—no pun intended.
In my field test, I found it became faster than moving my finger to a specific corner. I was navigating, selecting, and opening context menus with a fluid, two-finger gesture that felt like an extension of my thoughts.
For me, the trackpad with two fingers simultaneously is the undisputed champion of efficiency.
Next, I connected the Apple Magic Mouse. I made sure the secondary click was enabled for the right side.
The click itself is satisfying, but the real power is in the touch surface that also allows for scrolling and gestures. However, I did notice that if another finger is resting on the left side of the mouse, a right-click sometimes won’t register.
It requires a slightly more deliberate action. It’s a fantastic mac mouse, but it has a small learning curve.
Finally, I went back to the old Control-click using the keyboard. It’s reliable, like an old friend. But it’s also clunky.
Having to use two hands for a simple right-click function slows down the workflow considerably. It’s the perfect backup plan, but I wouldn’t recommend it for daily use.
After testing them all, I can say with certainty that embracing the two-finger click on the trackpad is the single best thing you can do to speed up your work on a Mac or MacBook.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do you enable right-click on a MacBook?
To enable right-click on a MacBook, go to System Preferences, then select Trackpad. Under the Point & Click tab, ensure that the option for “Secondary click” is checked. You can choose to set it to either “Click or tap with two fingers” or “Click in the bottom right corner” of the trackpad.
What is the difference between right-clicking on a Mac and a Windows computer?
Right-clicking on a Mac often uses a two-finger gesture on the trackpad or a mouse click in the bottom right corner, while Windows typically uses a dedicated right mouse button. Additionally, Mac users can enable mouse keys to perform right-click functions using the keyboard.
How do you right-click on a Mac using the Magic Trackpad?
To right-click on a Mac using the Magic Trackpad, simply tap the trackpad with two fingers or press down in the bottom right corner, depending on your trackpad settings. You can customize these settings in System Preferences under Trackpad.
Can you right-click using a mouse on a MacBook?
Yes, you can right-click using a mouse on a MacBook by pressing the right mouse button. If you have configured mouse settings, you may also use the left button for a secondary click, depending on your preferences set in System Preferences.
How can I remember how to right-click on a Mac?
To remember how to right-click on a Mac, practice using the two-finger tap on the trackpad or clicking the bottom right corner. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the options available in System Preferences to make sure secondary click settings are enabled.
What are the right-click options available on a Mac?
Right-click options on a Mac can vary depending on the application but generally include options like Open, Copy, Paste, and Delete. You can also access advanced options specific to the context of the item you are right-clicking on.
How do you force click on a MacBook?
To force click on a MacBook, press down firmly on the trackpad until you feel a haptic feedback response. This feature is available on newer MacBook models and can activate additional options based on the context of what you’re clicking on.
Is it possible to use right-click on a MacBook Air?
Yes, you can use right-click on a MacBook Air just like on any Mac device. You can enable two-finger tapping or use the bottom right corner of the trackpad to perform a right-click. Make sure to check your trackpad settings in System Preferences.
