At first glance, using your new Mac it may seem impossible to perform a right-click … a Mac mouse has only one button! Fortunately, you can continue to take advantage of the very useful context menus available for any element, even if you have a mouse with only one button. This tutorial shows several methods for doing this.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Using the Control Key
Step 1. Press the 'Control' button
Press and hold the 'Control' (Ctrl) button while pressing the mouse button.
- This will have the same effect as right clicking with a two button mouse.
- After pressing the mouse button you can release the 'Control' button.
- This method works for the one-button mouse, the MacBook trackpad, or the integrated Apple Trackpad button
Step 2. Move the cursor to the desired item
When you click the mouse button while holding down the 'Control' key, the context menu of the selected item is displayed.
In the example shown, you can see a context menu of the Firefox browser
Method 2 of 4: Using Two Fingers on the Trackpad
Step 1. Activate two-finger click
Step 2. Open Trackpad Settings
In the Apple menu, click on 'System Preferences', then on 'Trackpad'.
Step 3. Click on 'Point and Click', then put the check mark on 'Secondary Clicks' and from the menu that appeared, choose the option 'Click or press with two fingers'
You will see a short sample video demonstrating how to use this feature.
Step 4. Try it
Enter 'Finder' and, as shown on the video, place two fingers on the trackpad. A context menu should appear.
Step 5. This method works with all types of trackpads
Method 3 of 4: Click in the Lower Right Corner
Step 1. Open the trackpad settings as described above
In the Apple menu, click on 'System Preferences' and then on 'Trackpad'.
Step 2. Click on the 'Point and Click' tab, then check 'Secondary Clicks'; From the menu that appeared, choose the option 'Click in the lower right corner' (note:
you can also choose to press the lower left corner if you prefer). You will see a short sample video that will show you how to use this feature.
Step 3. Try it
Enter 'Finder' and, as shown in the video, press the bottom right corner of the trackpad. The context menu should appear.
Step 4. This method works with the Apple Trackpad
Method 4 of 4: Using an External Mouse
Step 1. Get a 'Mighty Mouse'
Remember that any two-button mouse can be configured to perform a right click. Similarly, some Apple-made one-button mice such as the Mighty Mouse and the Mighty Mouse Wireless can be configured to simulate a right-click when pressing the right side of the device.
Step 2. Connect the mouse
Often just inserting the USB dongle is enough to start using it immediately, but if your mouse is more complicated, follow the instructions provided.
Step 3. Enable the right-click function if needed
Any two-button mouse should work immediately. You will be able to use the right button as you would on any other computer. However, with a mac-specific mouse, such as the mighty mouse, you may need to change some settings first.
- From the Apple menu, click on "System Preferences", then on "Mouse";
- Change the settings to activate the "Secondary Click" function. Once activated, you will be able to click on the right side of the mouse, just like on a normal mouse.
