Which mouse for a Mac? Magic Mouse, alternatives and compatibility

Any Bluetooth or USB mouse works on a Mac. What differs from one mouse to the next is the gestures, the power source (batteries or built-in battery) and the macOS version required. Here is how to choose, model by model.

In short: which mouse should you choose?

  • Recent Mac (macOS 15.1 or later): the Magic Mouse USB-C. It charges with the same cable as your MacBook.
  • Older Mac, or a tighter budget: the Magic Mouse 2. Same gestures, same size, Lightning port.
  • Don't want to recharge: the Magic Mouse 1, which runs on two AA batteries.
  • A click and a scroll wheel are all you need: a standard Bluetooth mouse.
  • Long days at the computer: a taller ergonomic mouse, or a trackpad. The Magic Mouse is very flat and does not suit every hand.

Do all mice work on a Mac?

Yes. A Bluetooth or USB mouse works on a Mac with no driver to install: clicking, right-clicking and the scroll wheel are recognised straight away. Only the extra buttons on some mice need the manufacturer's software.

Two things are still worth checking. Recent MacBooks only have USB-C ports, so a mouse supplied with a small USB-A receiver needs an adapter. And the Multi-Touch gestures of macOS (swiping between pages, opening Mission Control) only work with a Magic Mouse or a trackpad.

Apple mice, model by model

ModelReferenceYearsPowerScrollingmacOS required
Wireless Mighty MouseA11972006-2009AA batteriesSmall ballRecognised as a standard Bluetooth mouse
Magic Mouse 1A12962009-20152 AA batteriesMulti-Touch surfaceWorks with current macOS versions
Magic Mouse 2A16572015-2024Battery, Lightning port underneathMulti-Touch surfaceOS X 10.11 El Capitan or later
Magic Mouse USB-CA3204Since 2024Battery, USB-C port underneathMulti-Touch surfacemacOS 15.1 Sequoia or later

The reference is engraved on the underside of the mouse. Without turning it over, a quick clue is enough: batteries mean a Magic Mouse 1; a Lightning port, a Magic Mouse 2; a USB-C port, the latest version.

Magic Mouse 2 or Magic Mouse USB-C: what changes

Only the port changes. The shape, the touch surface, the gestures and the battery life are the same. In both cases the port is underneath the mouse, so you cannot use it while it charges. A few minutes of charging is enough to get through the day, and a full charge usually lasts several weeks.

The USB-C version has two advantages: a single cable for the Mac and the mouse, and the same port as MacBooks since 2016. However, Apple specifies macOS 15.1 or later for it. On a Mac that cannot upgrade to that version, choose the Magic Mouse 2.

Coloured Magic Mice

Apple released the Magic Mouse in colour to go with the 24-inch iMac: the Magic Mouse 2 (Lightning) in 2021, then the USB-C Magic Mouse in 2024. Seven colours: blue, green, pink, yellow, orange, purple and silver. It is not limited to the iMac: a coloured Magic Mouse works on any compatible Mac, exactly like a white one. The Magic Mouse 2 also came in space grey, with the iMac Pro.

Connecting a Magic Mouse to your Mac

  1. Switch the mouse on with the switch underneath: the green light comes on.
  2. On the Mac, open System Settings > Bluetooth (System Preferences before macOS Ventura), then click “Connect” next to the mouse.
  3. Magic Mouse 2 and USB-C: plugging the mouse into the Mac with its cable also pairs it.
  4. Then adjust the speed, right-click and gestures in System Settings > Mouse.

Right-clicking with a Magic Mouse

The Magic Mouse has no visible button: its whole surface clicks. To get a right-click, open System Settings > Mouse and choose “Click on right side” for the secondary click. Otherwise, hold the Ctrl key while clicking: that is a right-click on any Mac.

Mouse or trackpad?

An external trackpad (Magic Trackpad) gives a desktop Mac all the gestures of a MacBook: pinch to zoom, swipe with three fingers, scroll in every direction. If you are used to your MacBook's trackpad, it is often the best choice. For photo editing, spreadsheets or drawing, a mouse is still more precise.

Magic Mouse not responding: what to check

  • Batteries or battery: the level is shown in System Settings > Bluetooth. A Magic Mouse 1 with weak batteries drops out without warning.
  • Connection: switch the mouse off and on again. If it stays silent, remove it from the Bluetooth list, then reconnect it.
  • Jerky scrolling: clean the surface and the underside of the mouse with a dry cloth, and check the scrolling settings.
  • Mighty Mouse no longer scrolling: the little ball gets clogged. Turn the mouse over and roll the ball on a clean cloth.
  • Several Bluetooth devices dropping out: the mouse is not to blame; look at the Mac's Bluetooth instead.

Our mice for Mac

Every mouse is tested in our workshop before it ships. Grades A, B and C describe only the outer appearance: the way it works is the same.

Frequently asked questions

Does a PC mouse work on a Mac?

Yes. A USB or Bluetooth mouse sold for Windows works on a Mac: click, right-click and scroll wheel are recognised without installing anything.

Can you use the Magic Mouse 2 while it charges?

No: the port is underneath the mouse. A few minutes of charging is enough to pick it up again.

Does the Magic Mouse USB-C work on an old Mac?

Apple specifies macOS 15.1 or later. On a Mac that has stayed on an older version, the Magic Mouse 2 is the safe choice.

How long does a Magic Mouse 2 battery last?

Usually several weeks between charges, depending on use. The level is shown in the Mac's Bluetooth settings.

How can I tell which Magic Mouse I have?

Turn it over: the reference is engraved underneath (A1296, A1657 or A3204). A mouse with batteries is a Magic Mouse 1.

Does the Magic Mouse work with an iPad?

Yes, over Bluetooth, from iPadOS 13.4.

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