How do I resync my wireless mouse to my Mac?

If your wireless input device came in the box of your new Mac, just turn on the device to begin using it. Otherwise, follow these steps to set it up.

Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad work wirelessly via Bluetooth when turned on and paired with your Mac.

If the device came in the box of your new Mac, it should already be paired with that Mac, and it automatically connects when you turn on the device. It's turned on when you see green under its power switch.

If the device came in its own box or you need to set it up again, follow the steps below.

Set up Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad

1. Use one of these cables to connect your wireless device to your Mac:
   
   • USB-C to Lightning Cable 
   • Lightning to USB Cable
     If you can't connect the cable because your device doesn't have a Lightning port, follow the steps in the next section.
2. Turn on the device. You should see green under its power switch.
3. The device uses the USB connection to recharge its battery and automatically pair with your Mac. To check its charge level and confirm that it's paired, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth. The device should appear in the list of Bluetooth devices. 
4. Unplug the device for wireless use.

Set up earlier Apple wireless input devices

Earlier models of Apple's wireless input devices don't have a Lightning port. To set them up, you need a wired or wireless mouse or trackpad that is already connected to your Mac. If you're using a laptop computer, you can use its built-in trackpad during setup.

1. Turn on your device. Its LED should start blinking to show that it's discoverable and ready to be paired.
   • If the LED never turns on, you may need to change the device's batteries.
   • If the LED turns on briefly but doesn't blink, the device may be connected to another Mac that is nearby. On that Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth. Move your pointer over the device's name, then click the remove
     button. After removing the device, turn it off and back on.
2. Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth.
3. When your device appears in Bluetooth preferences, click Connect (or Pair).
4. If you're asked to enter a passcode, enter the passcode on the keyboard that you're setting up. Then press Return on the same keyboard.

Published Date: October 18, 2022

• Connecting a wireless mouse to your Mac will likely require either Bluetooth or a USB dongle.
• A Bluetooth mouse will need to be connected to your Mac using the Bluetooth menu in System Preferences.
• A mouse needing a USB dongle should work when plugged in without further configuration.

Messy cords on a desk can strike a negative chord with today's workforce, making a wireless mouse a welcome change from the wired alternative. Aside from aesthetics, a wireless mouse just moves and feels so much better than a wired one.

There are two common types of wireless mice, and the way you'll connect yours to a Mac depends on which type you have. 

A RF mouse operates off of radio frequencies, and just requires you to plug a USB dongle into your Mac. Make sure the mouse is powered on and within range, and you should be able to use it within the minute — there shouldn't be any real syncing process required. 

A Bluetooth-enabled wireless mouse without a dongle, however, requires you to first sync the mouse with your Mac. 

How to connect a wireless mouse to a Mac

1. Turn the mouse on, and make sure it's within range of your Mac. Depending on the mouse, you may need to press a button to put it into pairing mode. 

2. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen.

3. Select System Preferences...

4. Click the Bluetooth icon.

5. If it's not already on, select Turn Bluetooth On.

6. Wait for your mouse to appear on the list. Click on its icon or the Connect button to finish the pairing process.

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