How to right-click on Mac

If you just bought a new Mac and are using macOS Sonoma for the first time, then you may not know how to right-click. After all, right-clicking on Windows laptops isn’t the same as on Apple computers. The purpose of a right click remains similar: bringing up a menu of relevant options, for the most part. The execution, however, varies, and we will be detailing how to right-click on Mac below.

How to right-click on Mac using a mouse

Right-clicking with a mouse is as basic as you’d expect it to be, whether you have a Magic Mouse or a third-party mouse.

• If you have a Magic Mouse, click on the right side of its top surface.
• If you have a traditional, third-party mouse, click the right button on the top.
• If you have a mouse with a peculiar design, check the included manual or the manufacturer’s website.

Right-clicking with a trackpad

Apple gives trackpad users three options to choose from when it comes to right-clicking on a Mac. Here’s how to customize yours based on what works best for you.

1. Launch the System Settings app.
2. Click on Trackpad towards the bottom.
3. Make sure you’re in the first section of the top bar, titled Point & Click.

   

4. Click on the little arrows next to Secondary click. Secondary click is how Apple refers to the right-click functionality.
5. You will get three options to pick from:
   • Click or Tap with Two Fingers

     

   • Click in Bottom Right Corner

     

   • Click in Bottom Left Corner

     

6. Try them all, and choose the one you prefer.

How to right-click using the default keyboard shortcut

If you tend to keep one hand on the trackpad and another on the keyboard, then you may appreciate this method:

1. Using the trackpad, move the cursor to where you want to right-click.
2. Click and hold the Control button on your keyboard.
3. Tap the trackpad.
4. Release the Control button.

How to set a custom keyboard shortcut

If you like the idea of tapping a keyboard button to trigger a right click but don’t want to rely on the Control button for that, you can set a custom shortcut.

1. Launch the System Settings app.
2. Head to Accessibility.
3. Scroll down, and enter the Pointer Control section.

   

4. Enable the Alternate pointer actions toggle.
5. By default, the F12 button will trigger a right click going forward.
6. To change the mapped button, tap on the (i) next to the toggle you just enabled.

   

7. Double-tap on the Right Click option listed.

   

8. Click Reassign.

   

9. Tap any button on your keyboard to set it as the new right-click shortcut.
10. Hit the Done button.

    

11. Click OK.

    

12. Going forward, move your cursor to where you want to right-click, and hit the chosen button on your keyboard to trigger the action.

Personally, I use the Tap with Two Fingers trackpad option because tapping is faster than clicking, so this choice integrates well with my workflow. While it may sound like a minor difference, placing your fingers on the trackpad’s surface without applying any pressure to click makes a difference when you spend full work days interacting with a Mac. Ultimately, you can try all of the options and pick the one that feels natural to you.