How to Swap Left and Right Mouse Buttons on a Mac

Last Updated: Feb 11, 2024 by

If you’re a left-handed user or simply prefer to use your mouse with your non-dominant hand, you may find it frustrating to use a traditional mouse with the left and right buttons in their default positions. Fortunately, Mac computers offer a simple solution to this problem. In this article, we’ll show you how to swap the left and right mouse buttons on a Mac, making it easier for you to navigate and use your computer.

Accessing Mouse Settings

To begin, click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu. In the System Preferences window, click on the “Mouse” icon to access your mouse settings.

Swapping Buttons

In the Mouse settings window, you’ll see a tab labeled “Primary Button.” By default, this will be set to “Right,” meaning that the right mouse button is the primary button and the left button is the secondary button. To swap the buttons, simply click on the drop-down menu and select “Left.” This will make the left button the primary button and the right button the secondary button.

Additional Settings

In addition to swapping the buttons, you can also adjust other settings for your mouse. For example, you can change the scrolling direction, adjust the tracking speed, and enable or disable the secondary click function. You can also customize the functions of the buttons on your mouse, such as setting the right button to act as a secondary click or to open a specific application.

Using a Third-Party Mouse

If you’re using a third-party mouse with your Mac, you may need to install additional software or drivers in order to swap the buttons. Check the manufacturer’s website for instructions on how to do this. Once the software is installed, you should be able to access the mouse settings and swap the buttons in the same way as with a traditional Mac mouse.

Keyboard Shortcut

If you don’t want to go through the System Preferences every time you want to swap the buttons, there is a keyboard shortcut you can use. Simply hold down the “Control” key and click on the mouse button you want to use as the primary button. This will swap the buttons temporarily until you click the same button again.

Conclusion

Swapping the left and right mouse buttons on a Mac is a simple process that can greatly improve your user experience. Whether you’re left-handed or just prefer to use your mouse with your non-dominant hand, this feature allows you to customize your computer to fit your needs. Give it a try and see how it can make using your Mac even easier.

Have you tried swapping the buttons on your Mac mouse? Let us know in the comments if this feature has improved your user experience.

Gulrukh Ch

About the Author: Gulrukh Ch

Gulrukh Chaudhary, an accomplished digital marketer and technology writer with a passion for exploring the frontiers of innovation. Armed with a Master's degree in Information Technology, Gulrukh seamlessly blends her technical prowess with her creative flair, resulting in captivating insights into the world of emerging technologies. Discover more about her on her LinkedIn profile.