You've probably noticed that instructions sometimes mention a normal mouse click and a right-click. But neither the Mac's Magic Mouse nor the MacBook's trackpad have a second button. What's actually meant is the secondary click.
Settings for Right-Click
If you haven't previously enabled secondary click in settings, it only works on the trackpad but not with the mouse. I'll show you how to find the right-click settings and customize them to your needs.
Settings for the (Magic) Mouse
To perform a right-click, you first need to enable the "Secondary click" function in System Preferences: System Preferences → Mouse → Secondary click → "Click on right side".
Settings for the (Magic) Trackpad
For the trackpad, navigate to settings via: System Preferences → Trackpad → Point & Click → Secondary click. Here you can choose HOW you want to trigger it: "Click with two fingers", "Click in bottom right corner", or "Click in bottom left corner".
Secondary Click and Context Menu Explained
The secondary click usually brings up the context menu. This menu is situation-dependent – it depends on the "context".
The Context Menu in Practice
- When you right-click on a file in Finder, you can select another program under "Open with".
- When you right-click on a link in a browser (e.g., Safari), you can open the linked page in a new tab.
- When you right-click on an attachment in Apple Mail, you can save it via the "Save Attachment" option in the context menu.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are there keyboard shortcuts for right-click?
Yes, a common keyboard shortcut for right-click is holding the Control key (Ctrl) while clicking with the left mouse button. This method works on all Mac models and is particularly useful when using a mouse without a right button.
How can I use right-click in programs?
Right-click is useful in many programs as it opens context-sensitive menus offering additional options. For example, you can right-click on files in Finder to select actions like "Open with", "Copy", or "Delete", which makes operation much easier.
How do I enable right-click on a MacBook without a right mouse button?
On a MacBook, you can enable right-click by going to System Preferences and selecting "Trackpad". There, under "Point & Click", you can enable the secondary click option by choosing either "Two fingers" or "Corner".
Can I customize right-click on an external mouse?
Yes, if you're using an external mouse, you can customize right-click settings in System Preferences. Go to "Mouse" and ensure the right mouse button is correctly configured to perform the secondary click.
Are there differences between right-click in macOS and Windows?
Yes, there are some differences. While right-click offers similar functions in both operating systems, the specific options in the context menu differ. macOS tends to offer more intuitive and user-friendly menus adapted to Apple's design philosophy.