# How to right-click on Mac

The right-click button is a standard function for users when navigating an operating system. However, Mac has disabled the right-click by default. You just need to make a few small changes in the system settings to use right-click on Mac to open shortcut menus.

## Why is the right-click function disabled on Mac?

Most notebooks, computer mice and [operating systems](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/what-is-an-operating-system/) offer **the right-click for opening shortcut menus**. However, if you switch to macOS, and work with the trackpad, the Apple keyboard, or an Apple mouse, you will quickly discover that the right-click option is not readily available.

It’s difficult to say why Apple never implemented the right-click button. But according to several [online rumors](https://www.businessinsider.com/steve-jobs-hated-multi-button-mouse-2014-3 "Business Insider article"), it stems from **Steve Jobs’ dislike of multi-button computer mice**. He believed that you can’t make wrong clicks if you don’t have multiple mouse buttons. However, it’s hard to know if there is any truth to this.

## How right-click works on Mac

There are **several alternatives to right-clicking or “secondary clicking”** to open contextual menus on a Mac.

Follow these steps to use right-click on Mac.

### Enable right click

You can activate the right-click function in the trackpad settings on a MacBook. Open “**System Preferences**” using the Apple logo, then go to “Accessibility” and “Trackpad” or “Mouse”. There are different settings for pointing and clicking depending on the device.

You can activate the right-click under “**Secondary click**”. Select this option to right-click on objects. Depending on the model, you may see alternative options under names such as “Right click” or “Click in bottom right corner”.

### How to right-click on a Mac

The right-click acts as a [Mac shortcut](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/mac-shortcuts/). You can open context menus by pressing \[control\] on the keyboard while clicking on the Mac trackpad or mouse. The \[control\] key (often labeled \[^\]) is found on the lower left side next to the [Mac Option key](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/option-key-on-macs/) or [Alt key on Mac](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/alt-key-on-mac/). However, the exact method depends on the computer mouse. For example, Apple’s Magic Mouse can function as a one- or two-button mouse, while the Mighty Mouse is available as a four-button model in newer versions.

[![Image: The control key on the Mac keyboard](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/8/1/csm_right-click-on-mac_2bcb921d87.webp "The control key on the Mac keyboard")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2023/right-click-on-mac.png) The control key on the Mac keyboard can be used in combination with a computer mouse to right-click. ### Other ways to use the right-click on the trackpad

Modern MacBooks offer a **right-click option using the trackpad**. Depending on the device, you can left-click by tapping the trackpad with one finger, and right-click by tapping the trackpad with two fingers.

### Right mouse button on Mac with universal computer mouse

Depending on the model, you can use a third-party mouse after plugging it in under “Mouse” in “System Preferences” or after establishing a connection under “Bluetooth”. If macOS does not automatically recognize the universal mouse’s right-click function, try activating the secondary click option.


This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/right-click-mac/](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/right-click-mac/) for AI/LLM consumption.