So, you’ve unboxed your sleek new MacBook, marveling at its design. But then, it hits you.
You try to open a menu, save an image, or access shortcuts, and you’re stumped. The question echoes in the minds of many who make the switch: how to right click on a macbook?
It feels like a secret handshake you were never taught. Well, you’re in the right place.
The good news is that not only is it possible, but you have multiple ways to do it, and they’re all incredibly simple once you know the secret. Apple calls this a secondary click, and learning to perform a right-click will fundamentally change how you interact with your laptop.
Whether you prefer using the trackpad, an Apple Magic Mouse, or even just the keyboard, this guide will walk you through every way to right-click. We’ll dive into System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs) to customize the right-click function to your exact liking.
From a simple two-finger tap to assigning a corner of the trackpad, you’ll soon know how to right-click like a pro. This isn’t just a workaround; it’s about making your Mac or MacBook work for you.
01
of 07Quick Guide: The Best Ways to Right-Click on a MacBook
| Method | How It Works | Setup Needed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control-Click | Hold the Control key and click the trackpad or mouse. | None, enabled by default. | Universal compatibility and reliability. |
| Two-Finger Tap | Tap the trackpad with two fingers simultaneously. | Must be enabled in System Settings. | Quick, intuitive gestures on the go. |
| Corner Click | Click the bottom right corner or bottom left corner of the trackpad. | Must be configured in System Settings. | Users who prefer a dedicated click zone. |
| Magic Mouse | Click the right or left side of the mouse surface. | Configurable in System Settings > Mouse. | A seamless experience for desktop users. |
02
of 07The Classic Control-Click: Your Go-To Keyboard Shortcut
This is the old faithful of the Mac world, the one method that works right out of the box without any changes to your settings.
To perform a right-click, simply hold the control key on your keyboard and then click your mouse or trackpad as you normally would. This action brings up the contextual menu (that’s the official name for the right-click menu) instantly.
It’s a foolproof way to right-click that has been part of macOS for decades. Because it’s a keyboard shortcut, it works everywhere, from your MacBook Pro’s built-in mac trackpad to any external mouse you plug in, making it a reliable tool in your arsenal.
03
of 07Unlocking Your Trackpad: The Two-Finger Tap Method
Here’s where the magic of Apple’s hardware really shines. The most popular and, dare I say, most intuitive way to right-click on a macbook without a mouse is the two-finger tap.
It is exactly what it sounds like: you simply tap the trackpad with two fingers at the same time. This gesture feels natural and quickly becomes second nature.
When I first got my MacBook Air, the single-button trackpad was a puzzle. I was so used to a physical right-click button. My first week was spent awkwardly holding the Control key for every single secondary click.
In my field test, I went into System Settings, found the Trackpad section, and enabled ‘Tap to click’ and then ‘Secondary click’ with a two-finger tap. The difference was night and day.
Suddenly, my workflow was faster and the macbook’s trackpad felt incredibly powerful and responsive.
However, this feature isn’t always enabled by default. If you tap the trackpad with two fingers and nothing happens, you’ll need a quick trip to System Settings.
We’ll cover exactly how to do that in a moment, but once you enable right-click this way, you may never go back.
04
of 07Customizing Your Clicks: Assigning a Trackpad Corner
If the two-finger click isn’t for you, or if you find yourself accidentally triggering it while scrolling, there’s another fantastic option.
You can assign the right-click function to a specific area of your trackpad. Most users coming from a Windows laptop find setting the bottom right corner to be the equivalent of a right-click extremely comfortable.
To set this up, you’ll navigate to the Trackpad settings. There, under the secondary click option, you can choose to click in the ‘bottom right or left’ corner.
Once selected, a firm press on that designated corner of the trackpad will bring up the right-click menu. For users who miss the tactile feel of a separate button, this is the perfect solution, especially with the haptic feedback on modern MacBooks that simulates a real click.
05
of 07For Power Users: Mastering the Apple Magic Mouse and External Mice
What if you’re using a mouse? If you have a standard two-button USB or Bluetooth mouse, the right button will work as a right-click button automatically, just as you’d expect.
But for those with an Apple Magic Mouse, the entire top surface is a single, seamless piece of acrylic. So how do you click right side?
Just like the trackpad, the Magic Mouse is gesture-based. You can set up your mouse in System Settings > Mouse to recognize a click on the right or left side as a secondary click.
This gives you all the functionality of a two-button mouse while maintaining Apple’s minimalist design. It’s the best of both worlds for desktop Mac users.
06
of 07Deep Dive into System Settings: How to Enable and Configure Your Right Click
Now let’s get down to the nuts and bolts. To customize any of these methods, you need to know your way around System Settings.
It’s the command center for your Mac. Here’s how to find the trackpad settings and get everything configured perfectly.
First, open System Settings by clicking the Apple icon in the top left of your screen and selecting it from the menu. Then, scroll down the left sidebar and find “Trackpad.”
Here, you’ll see several options. Under the “Point & Click” tab, you’ll find “Secondary click.” This is the setting you’re looking for.
Click the dropdown menu next to secondary click and you’ll see the options we’ve discussed:
- Click or tap with two fingers
- Click in bottom right corner
- Click in bottom left corner
Make sure secondary click is checked and choose the click option that feels most comfortable for you. You can try each one out in real-time to see how it works before closing the window.
07
of 07Accessibility Features: Alternative Ways to Perform a Secondary Click
For users who need more options, macOS has powerful accessibility features built-in. One of these is called Mouse Keys.
When enabled, it allows you to control the cursor and clicking functions entirely from your keyboard.
By turning on Mouse Keys in the Accessibility settings, you can use a combination of keys to perform a secondary click without ever touching the mouse or trackpad.
This provides a critical way to right-click for users with motor limitations, ensuring that the Mac works for everyone. These advanced keyboard shortcuts demonstrate Apple’s commitment to accessibility.
FAQ
What is right-clicking on a Mac?
Right-clicking on a Mac refers to the action of using a secondary click to access additional options or context menus. This is often used to perform tasks that require more than a standard click, such as opening settings or accessing more features related to a specific item.
How do I right-click on my MacBook trackpad?
To right-click on your MacBook trackpad, you can either use a two-finger tap or press the bottom-right corner of the trackpad. This action is also known as a “secondary click” and can be enabled or customized in the trackpad settings under “System Preferences.”
Can I use the control key to right-click on a Mac?
Yes, you can use the control key to right-click on a Mac. By holding down the control key while clicking on the trackpad or mouse, you can access the right-click options. This method is particularly useful if you prefer not to use the trackpad’s bottom-right corner for a secondary click.
What is a force click on a MacBook Pro?
A force click is a feature available on MacBook Pro models with a Force Touch trackpad. By pressing harder on the trackpad, you can invoke additional actions, such as previewing files or accessing haptic feedback. This feature adds another layer of functionality beyond standard right-clicking.
Can I customize the right-click options on my Mac?
Yes, you can customize the right-click options on your Mac. In the “System Preferences” under “Trackpad,” you can choose whether to enable the secondary click on the bottom-right or bottom-left corner of the trackpad, or even set it to use a two-finger click gesture for more versatility.
What if I want to right-click using a mouse?
If you are using a mouse, right-clicking is as simple as clicking the right mouse button. If your mouse has customizable settings, you can also configure the right-click functionality in the mouse settings found in “System Preferences” on your Mac.
How do I enable the right-click feature on the Magic Trackpad?
To enable the right-click feature on the Magic Trackpad, go to “System Preferences,” then select “Trackpad.” Under the “Point & Click” tab, you’ll find the option for “Secondary click,” where you can choose to use two fingers or click in the bottom-right corner to activate right-clicking.
