How to Double Click on a Mac

Learn to make the most out of your mouse on Mac

What to Know

  • You can double-click on most Mac trackpads.
  • Alternatively, click Apple logo > System Preferences > Trackpad to choose how to double click.
  • Type Command + Option + F5 or tap the touch ID button three times. Select Mouse Keys. Then you can tap 5 twice to double-click.

This article teaches you how to double click on a Mac and enable it if your Mac doesn't double click. It also looks at how to double-click on a Mac without a mouse. 

Does Double Click Work on a Mac?

Yes! Double click works fine on Mac systems and works similarly to other systems. Double left-click on your trackpad or mouse to activate double-clicking on your Mac. It helps select words in a document, among many other things. 

What Is the Equivalent of Double Click on a Mac?

The equivalent of a double click on a Mac is the same as on a Windows PC. Simply double-tap on the Mac trackpad or mouse's button to double click. Windows adopted how the Mac uses double-clicking, so switching from Windows to Mac is relatively seamless.

How Do I Change Mouse Gestures on a Mac?

If you want to change how you right-click while learning to double-click, it's easy to do.

  1. Click the Apple logo in the top left corner.

  2. Click System Preferences.

  3. Click Trackpad.

    Mac System Preferences with Trackpad highlighted.
  4. Click the arrow underneath Secondary click.

    Mac System Preferences with Trackpad settings open and Secondary click highlighted
  5. Choose to click in bottom right corner or bottom left corner to change how right-click is initiated.

    Mac System Preferences with Trackpad settings open and Click in bottom right corner highlighted.

How Else Can I Change Clicking Gestures?

There's another way of changing the gesture you use for clicking. Here's how to do it.

  1. Click the Apple logo in the top left corner.

  2. Click System Preferences.

  3. Click Trackpad.

  4. Click Tap to click. 

  5. It's now possible to tap with one finger to perform the same option.

    Choose Secondary Click and you can now tap using two fingers at a time instead. 

How Do You Double Click on a Mac Without a Mouse?

There's no need to plug a mouse into your Mac to use double click. Instead, the Mac trackpad can do the job for you, as demonstrated above. It's also possible to learn keyboard shortcuts and even create your own to avoid using the mouse as much. Here's how to enable mouse keys via your keyboard. 

  1. On your keyboard, either tap Command + Option + F5 or tap the touch ID button three times.

  2. Press the tab key repeatedly to move to Mouse Keys.

  3. Tap space when you're on it. 

  4. Press 5 twice to double click, with surrounding keys working as other mouse actions.

  5.  Disable Mouse Keys by either triple tapping the Touch ID button again or by tapping Command + Option + F5. 

FAQ
  • How do I right-click on Mac?

    To right-click on Mac, hold the Control key while clicking the trackpad or use two fingers to click the trackpad. To configure right-click options, go to System Preferences > Trackpad > Point & Click.

  • Why is my mouse double-clicking instead of single-clicking?

    The speed setting for your mouse could be set too low. You may need to configure your Mac trackpad settings and adjust the tracking speed.

  • How do I drag and drop on Mac?

    To drag and drop on Mac, select or highlight the items, then hold and drag with the trackpad. If you can't drag and drop on Mac, update and restart your Mac.

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