How to Right-Click on a Mac

Right-clicking on a computer is a valuable function that gives you access to the shortcut menu. While this command can simplify your life, you might struggle with it on a Mac, especially if you are a new user.

Worry not. This guide will explain how to right-click on a Mac.

How to Right-Click on a Mac

Right-clicking on Mac is called control-clicking because you hold the Control key and click. If you ever come across the term, it’s the same function as right-clicking on any other computer or mobile device.

There are different ways to right-click on a Mac computer. You can use the mouse, trackpad, the control key on the keyboard, and a few other methods. 

Using Tap to Click

One method to right-click on a Mac is to tap your two fingers simultaneously on the trackpad. However, you need to enable Tap to Click for this. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Go to the Apple icon in the top left corner of your Mac.
   
2. Click System Settings. On older macOS versions, this will appear as System Preferences.
   
3. Select Trackpad.
4. Then go to Point and click and enable Tap to Click.
   
5. Check Click or Tap with Two Fingers from the options.
   

Next, you can trigger the right-click command by tapping the trackpad with two fingers. On MacBooks, you can also press down harder on the trackpad to use Force Touch and bring relevant contextual menus and options.

If you are new to the Mac ecosystem, you might also want to learn how to copy and paste on a Mac.

Using Your Keyboard

This method will require a mouse or trackpad to work, even though you use a keyboard shortcut to trigger a right-click on your Mac. 

1. Place your cursor over the item you want to right-click.
2. Hold down the Control key on your keyboard.
3. Then click on the item with your mouse.

Ensure you hold the Control key while clicking, or else you’ll trigger another command.

Using Voice Control

Another option is to use Voice Control for right-clicking, though you must have a microphone connected to your Mac. Also, make sure to set up Voice Control first. This will require access to the internet, as your Mac will download the necessary files from Apple. After the initial setup, you can use Voice Control without internet access.

1. Go to the Apple menu on your Mac.
2. Click System Settings.
3. Choose Accessibility from the sidebar.
   
4. Scroll down to click on Voice Control to turn it on.
   
5. Then, place your cursor on the item you want to right-click on and command your Mac to Control-Click.

Remember that on a Mac, the right-click is called control-click, so saying right-click might not work. Also, remember that this doesn’t work for all macOS versions.

How to Set Up Right-Click on a Magic Mouse

Apple allows users to set up Magic Mouse on their system to get right-click or left-click functions. If your Magic Mouse isn’t working properly, you may need to enable right-clicking in the settings. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Open the Apple Menu on your Mac.
2. Go to ‌System Settings. Older MacOS versions will have a System Preferences option.
3. Select Mouse.
   
4. Click Secondary click and enable Click Right Side or Click Left Side. You can choose either one depending on what’s more comfortable for you.
   

With the Magic Mouse enabled, right-clicking or left-clicking will open the shortcut menu.

How to Set Up Right-Click on Your MacBook’s Trackpad

Similarly, you can set up your trackpad to right-click or left-click.

1. Open the Apple Menu on your Mac.
2.  Go to ‌System Settings and select Trackpad in the menu that appears.
3. Click Point and Click and enable Secondary Click.
   
4. Select either ‌Click On Right Side‌ or ‌Click on Left Side‌ in the drop-down menu options. Choose your more comfortable side, and you’ll get the same result.

Comfortably Right-Click on Your Mac

Basic tasks like right-clicking and setting a screensaver on a Mac might initially feel challenging. Fortunately, it becomes second nature once you learn how the process works. There are multiple ways to right-click on a Mac, and you can use the method you find most comfortable.

FAQs

Can I right-click on my Mac without setting up the magic mouse or trackpad to right-click?

No, you can’t. The only way to trigger the right-click command on your mouse or trackpad is to set it up from your mouse or trackpad settings. If that seems like too much work, you can always use the other options to right-click on your mouse.

What do I do if I still can’t right-click on my Mac after setting up the right-click function from Settings?

Confirm that you’ve properly set up the right-click function in your Mac’s trackpad or mouse setting. If so, it might be either that your Mac has developed a fault or a manufacturing oversight. Go to an Apple store and ask for advice.

Is there a specific kind of external mouse I have to buy to work on my Mac?

No, any functioning external mouse should work on your Mac computer, whether wireless or not. If your Mac isn’t responding to a particular Mac, then it’s likely that the mouse is faulty. This is why it’s important to read product reviews before purchasing them.

Can I use the “Control” key on my keyboard to right-click text on my Mac?

Yes, you can. All you have to do is highlight the text and click on it while pressing down your “Control” key at the same time.

Can I disable the right-click or left-click function in the mouse or trackpad settings?

Yes, if you would rather not have the function in your mouse or trackpad, you can always use the same methods to uncheck the function you checked to enable the right-click or left-click function.