Download Article
An in-depth guide to right-click on a Mac or MacBook to open the context menu
Download Article
With Macs and MacBooks, it may seem impossible to right-click with only one button. If you're using the trackpad, you can hold "Control" as you click to right-click. If you're using a mouse that doesn't have two buttons, you can easily enable right-click in your settings. This wikiHow will show you how to right-click on a Mac using a control-click, two-finger click, corner-click, or an external mouse.
Things You Should Know
- Press and hold the "Control" key as you click with a trackpad or mouse.
- Enable secondary click in "System Preferences/System Settings" → "Trackpad" → check the box for "Enable Secondary click".
- Set secondary click as "Click or tap with two fingers" or "Click in bottom left/right corner".
Steps
-
Press the Control key and click. Press and hold the Control (Ctrl) key while you click the mouse button. On the Magic Keyboard , this will be in the bottom-left corner. Release the button after clicking. [1] X Research source
- This method works for a 1-button mouse or trackpad and is identical to right-clicking with a 2-button mouse.
- Be sure to install any available updates on your Mac.
-
Choose your desired menu item. When you Control-click, the appropriate context menu will appear.
- The example below is a context menu in the Firefox browser.
Advertisement
-
Open the Apple Menu and click System Preferences… . On Ventura, this will be System Settings .
- This method works with all trackpad surfaces.
-
Click Trackpad . This can be found next to the Mouse .
- On Ventura, locate Trackpad in the left panel.
-
Enable Secondary click. Check the box for Secondary click , then select Click or tap with two fingers . You will see a short video example of the proper way to click.
-
Use a two-finger click. Go to the Finder , and as shown in the video, tap two fingers on the trackpad. A context menu should appear.
Advertisement
-
Open the Apple Menu and click System Preferences… . On Ventura, this will be System Settings .
- This method works with the Apple Trackpad.
-
Click Trackpad . This can be found next to the Mouse .
- On Ventura, locate Trackpad in the left panel.
-
Enable Secondary click. Check the box for Secondary click , then select Click in bottom right corner or Click in bottom left corner . You will see a short video example of the proper way to click.
-
Use a corner-click. Go to the Finder , and as shown in the video, press one finger on the bottom right or bottom right of the trackpad. A context menu should appear.
Advertisement
-
Buy a separate mouse. Mac's Magic Mouse doesn't appear to have two buttons, but it can be programmed so the right-hand side responds like a second button. If you don't want to buy a Mac mouse, any two button mouse can be programmed to work with a right click on a Mac.
-
Connect your mouse . This is often as simple as plugging in the USB dongle and using it right away, but if your mouse is more complicated, follow the directions it came with.
- Make sure your mouse is charged .
-
Enable your right-click if needed. Any mouse with two built-in buttons should just work right away. You'll be able to right-click, as you otherwise would on another computer. However, a Mac-specific mouse like a Magic Mouse will need the settings adjusted to enable this. [2] X Research source
- Click the Apple Menu.
- Click System Preferences or System Settings .
- Click Mouse .
- Allow Enable Secondary Click .
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionHow do I left-click on a Mac Trackpad?Community AnswerUse two fingers.
-
QuestionHow do I left click on a Mac?Community AnswerYou left click just by clicking and you right click by clicking with two fingers.
-
QuestionHow do I right-click?Community AnswerFollow the instructions listed in the article above.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
References
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To right-click on a Mac, press and hold the Control key as you click an item.
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,988,650 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "The ability to "right click" on my Macbook trackpad disappeared one day, and for a while I was at a loss trying to find out why. Finally, I came across this article that not only solved my issue (trackpad two-finger secondary tap was changed to "two-fingers on pad & click button"), but it showed me an alternative that I never new about (ctrl + click). Answer to prayer!" ..." more
Advertisement
"The ability to "right click" on my Macbook trackpad disappeared one day, and for a while I was at a loss trying to find out why. Finally, I came across this article that not only solved my issue (trackpad two-finger secondary tap was changed to "two-fingers on pad & click button"), but it showed me an alternative that I never new about (ctrl + click). Answer to prayer!"
..."
more
"This article taught me how to use my trackpad to control-click/right click. Since I have trouble with my joints, this is very helpful! Having different methods can make it faster, easier, and more comfortable to use my computer. Thank you!"
..."
more
"I said yesterday that El Capitan 2 finger secondary click didn't always work. After looking at your article, it's helped in that I looked at the settings a bit more deeply, so I managed to replicate what I was used to. Thanks a lot."
..."
more
"I find El Capitan two finger click frustrating because sometimes it doesn't seem to work, so it's good to find there are other ways. My old Mac worked much better."
..."
more
"I'm new to Mac, and didn't know this feature existed. It was already enabled on my machine. Thanks."
