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Cupertino desk3 min

How to Use Touch Gestures in macOS

A practical guide to trackpad and Magic Mouse gestures in macOS, including right-click, scrolling, workspace swipes, and the settings that control them.
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Use a built-in or external Multi-Touch trackpad for gestures such as pinching to zoom and swiping between spaces, or a Magic Mouse for its smaller, separate set of gestures. To see what your Mac supports and change the controls, open Apple menu > System Settings, then choose Trackpad or Mouse.

Choose the right gesture guide for your device

Trackpads and Magic Mouse do not share an identical gesture set. Your Mac’s built-in Multi-Touch trackpad can support many gestures without an external trackpad. The settings on your Mac are the most reliable guide to what is available: choices can differ by device and macOS version.

Apple describes Multi-Touch gestures as ways to use taps, swipes, pinches and spreads to perform actions. See Apple Support’s Use Multi-Touch gestures on your Mac.

Use gestures on a Mac trackpad

These are the trackpad gestures Apple documents. Some require a trackpad that supports Force Touch, and the number of fingers used for certain workspace gestures can vary by macOS version.

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#1 Best Overall
Sale
Apple Magic Trackpad - White Multi-Touch Surface ​​​​​​​
  • Magic Trackpad is wireless and rechargeable, and it includes the full range of Multi-Touch gestures and Force Touch technology.
  • Sensors underneath the trackpad surface detect subtle differences in the amount of pressure you apply, bringing more functionality to your fingertips and enabling a deeper connection to your content.
  • It features a large edge-to-edge glass surface area, making scrolling and swiping through your favourite content more productive and comfortable than ever.
  • Magic Trackpad pairs automatically with your Mac, so you can get to work straightaway.
  • The rechargeable battery will power it for about a month or more between charges.
Action Gesture
Click Tap with one finger.
Secondary click (right-click) Click or tap with two fingers.
Smart Zoom Double-tap with two fingers on a webpage or PDF.
Scroll Slide two fingers up or down.
Zoom in or out Pinch with two fingers.
Rotate an image or other item Move two fingers around each other.
Move between pages Swipe left or right with two fingers.
Open Notification Centre Swipe left from the right edge with two fingers.
Drag an item Drag with three fingers after enabling three-finger drag in Accessibility settings.
Look Up and data detectors Tap with three fingers.
Show the desktop Spread your thumb and three fingers apart.
Show installed apps Pinch your thumb and three fingers together.
Open Mission Control Swipe up with four fingers; some macOS versions use three.
Open App Exposé Swipe down with four fingers; some macOS versions use three.
Switch between full-screen apps and desktops Swipe left or right with four fingers; some macOS versions use three.
Force click and haptic feedback Available on trackpads that support Force Touch.

Use gestures on a Magic Mouse

Magic Mouse gestures work differently from trackpad gestures. Apple documents these actions:

Action Gesture
Secondary click (right-click) Click the right-hand side of the mouse.
Scroll Slide one finger vertically.
Smart Zoom Double-tap with one finger.
Open Mission Control Double-tap with two fingers.
Move between desktops and full-screen apps Swipe horizontally with two fingers.
Move between pages Swipe horizontally with one finger.

Magic Mouse models with a USB-C port require macOS Sequoia 15.1 or later, according to Apple’s Multi-Touch gesture guide.

Rank #2
Sale
Apple Magic Trackpad - Black Multi-Touch Surface ​​​​​​​
  • Magic Trackpad is wireless and rechargeable, and it includes the full range of Multi-Touch gestures and Force Touch technology.
  • Sensors underneath the trackpad surface detect subtle differences in the amount of pressure you apply, bringing more functionality to your fingertips and enabling a deeper connection to your content.
  • It features a large edge-to-edge glass surface area, making scrolling and swiping through your favourite content more productive and comfortable than ever.
  • Magic Trackpad pairs automatically with your Mac, so you can get to work straightaway.
  • The rechargeable battery will power it for about a month or more between charges.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

View, customize or turn off gestures

  1. Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
  2. Select Trackpad or Mouse in the sidebar, depending on the device you want to configure.
  3. Browse the available gestures and their demonstrations. Use the controls shown there to customize a gesture or turn it off.

Apple’s guide to viewing and customizing mouse or trackpad gestures says this screen is available for a Mac with a built-in trackpad or a connected wireless mouse or trackpad. Three-finger drag is managed in Accessibility settings rather than as a standard gesture toggle in the Trackpad pane. Scrolling can also be turned off through Accessibility settings.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
Apple Magic Trackpad - White Multi-Touch Surface ​​​​​​​
Apple Magic Trackpad - White Multi-Touch Surface ​​​​​​​
Magic Trackpad pairs automatically with your Mac, so you can get to work straightaway.; The rechargeable battery will power it for about a month or more between charges.
$115.99
SaleBestseller No. 2
Apple Magic Trackpad - Black Multi-Touch Surface ​​​​​​​
Apple Magic Trackpad - Black Multi-Touch Surface ​​​​​​​
Magic Trackpad pairs automatically with your Mac, so you can get to work straightaway.; The rechargeable battery will power it for about a month or more between charges.
$130.00
Rank #4
Trackpad with 2.4G USB Receiver for Mac and Windows - Multi-Touch Surface High Precision Track Pad, Multi-Gesture Touchpad Mouse Compatible with Apple MacBook iMac and Windows 10/11 PC Desktop
  • ✅ Seamless Compatibility with Mac & Windows – Works perfectly with macOS and Windows 10/11, including MacBook, iMac, Windows PC, laptops, and desktops. This wireless trackpad delivers smooth multi-gesture control: scroll, swipe, zoom, tap, and drag, making every movement natural, responsive, and effortless. Boost productivity for work, study, or browsing instantly! Perfect as a smart alternative to the Apple Magic Trackpad.
  • ✅ Ergonomic & Large Touch Surface – Glide with precision on a 7.5-inch frosted glass touchpad. Designed for comfort, this wireless track pad reduces wrist fatigue during long sessions while giving you more space to navigate, edit, and create. Perfect for designers, students, and professionals who demand precision.
  • ✅ Quiet & Comfortable Anywhere – Say goodbye to noisy clicks! Enjoy ultra-silent tap-to-click feedback while selecting text, dragging files, or switching apps without disturbing anyone. Physical click function is still available for those who prefer it, you can also tap to click for faster, more effortless interactions. Ideal for offices, classrooms, libraries, or late-night work.
  • ✅ Plug & Play with Stable Connection – Includes a USB receiver for a stable, driver-free connection (Not Bluetooth Connection). No Bluetooth dropouts, no interruptions. The USB receiver is automatically recognized by your device. This trackpad for mac also supports USB-C wired connection, allowing you to charge and work at the same time. Reliable for MacBook, iMac, and Windows laptops.
  • ✅ Premium Aluminum Design & Ultra-Portable – Sleek aluminum alloy with rounded edges looks as good as it feels. Anti-slip base keeps it steady, while the slim, lightweight design is perfect for travel, remote work, or coffee shop sessions. Carry your wireless touchpad anywhere in style.
Rank #3
Sale
Polarmeta Wireless Trackpad for Mac & Windows with 2.4G USB, 7.5” Glass Surface Touchpad High Precision Multi-Gesture Control, Rechargeable & Portable Track Pad for Computer, MacBook, iMac, Laptop, PC
  • ✅ 【Compatible with Mac & Windows – Full Multi-Gesture Support】: This wireless trackpad offers smooth multi-touch gesture control on both macOS and Windows 10/11. Enjoy natural MacBook-style gestures such as two-finger scrolling, pinch-to-zoom, three-finger swipe, tapping, and dragging on both your MacBook, iMac, and Windows laptop or desktop. Ideal for office work, presentations, and users who want the same intuitive trackpad gestures they’re used to on a MacBook but need compatibility with any desk setup.
  • ✅ 【Ergonomic Design to Reduce Wrist Strain】: Designed for long work sessions, this ergonomic trackpad for Mac promotes natural hand positioning to help reduce wrist fatigue compared to a traditional mouse. The large 7.5-inch frosted glass surface delivers smooth finger glide and precise cursor control, while the built-in physical click mechanism provides clear, responsive feedback for more controlled and confident actions, you can also tap to click for faster, more effortless interactions—making it a comfortable Apple trackpad alternative for all-day productivity.
  • ✅【Plug & Play 2.4G Wireless – No Bluetooth, No Lag】: Features a dedicated 2.4G USB receiver (not Bluetooth) for a stable, low-latency connection with no drivers required. Simply plug in and start working instantly on both Mac and Windows—no system switching needed. The USB receiver is automatically recognized by your device. Includes a USB-C cable so you can charge and use the mac trackpad at the same time, with no downtime or interruptions.
  • ✅ 【Premium Aluminum Body – Slim & Travel-Ready】: Crafted from durable aluminum alloy with an anti-slip rubber base, this trackpad for PC stays steady on any surface without a mouse pad. Slim and lightweight, it fits easily into laptop sleeves or backpacks. Perfect for remote work, travel, coffee shops, or small desk spaces.
  • ✅ 【7-Day Battery for Work, Study & Creative Tasks】: The built-in 900mAh rechargeable battery supports up to 7 days of use per charge under typical daily use and recharges in about 2 hours via USB-C. Suitable for document editing, visual design, studying, and presentations, with smooth multi-touch gesture input for everyday computer navigation. Battery life and charging time may vary depending on usage.

If a gesture is missing

  • Confirm that you are viewing settings for the device you are using; a Magic Mouse does not offer every trackpad gesture.
  • Check the gesture options and demonstrations in System Settings. Availability can depend on your Mac, trackpad or mouse, and macOS version.
  • For Mission Control, App Exposé, or switching between full-screen apps on a trackpad, try the three-finger version if the four-finger gesture is not listed or does not match your settings.
  • If you want to drag with three fingers, look for the control in Accessibility settings. If scrolling is unavailable, check its Accessibility setting.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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