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An in-depth guide to right-click on a Mac or MacBook to open the context menu
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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
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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.
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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.
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Open the Apple Menu and click System Preferences… . On Ventura, this will be System Settings .
- This method works with all trackpad surfaces.
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Click Trackpad . This can be found next to the Mouse .
- On Ventura, locate Trackpad in the left panel.
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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.
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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.
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Open the Apple Menu and click System Preferences… . On Ventura, this will be System Settings .
- This method works with the Apple Trackpad.
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Click Trackpad . This can be found next to the Mouse .
- On Ventura, locate Trackpad in the left panel.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 .
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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 .
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do I left-click on a Mac Trackpad?Community AnswerUse two fingers.
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QuestionHow do I left click on a Mac?Community AnswerYou left click just by clicking and you right click by clicking with two fingers.
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QuestionHow do I right-click?Community AnswerFollow the instructions listed in the article above.
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About This Article
Article Summary
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To right-click on a Mac, press and hold the Control key as you click an item.
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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
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"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!"
..."
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"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!"
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"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."
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"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."
..."
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"I'm new to Mac, and didn't know this feature existed. It was already enabled on my machine. Thanks."
