Magic Mouse gestures for managing windows on a Mac
The Magic Mouse has two finger swipes for switching full screen apps and a double tap for Mission Control. Where to turn them on, and what a mouse can't do.
Turn them on in System Settings, Mouse, More Gestures. The Magic Mouse has two window gestures:
| Gesture | Does |
|---|---|
| Swipe left or right with two fingers | Switch between full screen apps and desktops |
| Double tap with two fingers | Open Mission Control |
| Swipe left or right with one finger | Back and forward in browsers and apps (Swipe between pages) |
What a mouse misses
- There is no App Exposé or Show Desktop gesture on the Magic Mouse; use ⌃ ↓ and ⌘ F3.
- Hot corners help a lot with a mouse. See hot corners.
- Third party mouse software can add more; see Logitech gestures.
ClutterFreeMac with a mouse
Trackpad swipes move along the strip, but a mouse is covered too: point at the bottom of the screen for the strip dock and click any window, or click the arrows at the screen's edges to move one step. Every move also has a ⌃ ⌥ shortcut.
Questions
How do I switch desktops with a Magic Mouse?
Swipe left or right with two fingers. Turn on Swipe between full-screen applications in System Settings, Mouse, More Gestures.
Read next
- Guide
Using a Logitech mouse to manage windows on a Mac
Logitech's gesture button can open Mission Control, switch desktops and show App Exposé. How to set it up in Logi Options+, and good buttons to assign.
Read › - Guide
Mac trackpad gestures for managing windows
Swipe up for Mission Control, sideways for Spaces, pinch for the desktop. Every window gesture on a Mac trackpad, the settings behind them, and one more.
Read › - Guide
Keyboard shortcuts to switch desktops on a Mac
⌃ ← and ⌃ → move between desktops; ⌃ and a number jumps straight to one, once turned on. Every shortcut and gesture for Spaces, and how to set them.
Read ›