Magic Mouse
Multi-touch wireless mouse sold by Apple Inc.
The Magic Mouse is a wireless, multi-touch computer mouse made by Apple and built by Foxconn. Its first version came out on October 20, 2009, and was the first mouse to offer multi-touch controls. Like the iPhone, iPod Touch, and multi-touch MacBook trackpads that came before it, the Magic Mouse lets you use gestures and inertia scrolling across its top surface. It was made to work with macOS. The second version, originally called the Magic Mouse 2, launched on October 13, 2015, and later gained full support for iPadOS.
There are three models. The first-generation (A1296) connects to a Mac wirelessly via Bluetooth and runs on two AA batteries, with two non-rechargeable ones included in the box. It uses a solid-state laser tracking sensor, similar to the earlier wireless Mighty Mouse. Until 2016, Apple also sold a charger and rechargeable NiMH AA batteries for its peripherals. Like the Mighty Mouse, it supports secondary clicking. It has been included with most desktop Macs since its debut—such as the iMac, iMac Pro, and third-generation Mac Pro—and is also sold separately. Its design borrows from the Apple Pro Mouse, with a seamless "zero-button" look and a translucent acrylic surface. The multi-touch top allows 360-degree scrolling, replacing the rubber scroll ball on the Mighty Mouse. It cannot handle left- and right-clicking at the same time, and a middle click requires third-party software.
The second-generation (A1657) arrived in October 2015 alongside the Magic Keyboard and second-generation Magic Trackpad. A space gray version came with the iMac Pro in 2017 and later became available on its own. iPadOS 13.4 brought full mouse support to iPads, including all features of this Magic Mouse. In 2021, pastel colors were added to match the M1 iMac; standalone purchases then included a USB-C to Lightning cable instead of USB-A to Lightning. In 2022, space gray was replaced by a black model with a silver aluminum finish, originally exclusive to the third-generation Mac Pro. Various colors have been released alongside matching Magic Keyboards.
An updated second-generation model (A3204) came out on October 28, 2024, swapping the Lightning port for USB-C. It requires a Mac running macOS Sequoia or later.
Criticism of the first-generation model was mixed.
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- Apple Inc. / Foxconn (contract manufacturer)
- Release Date
- 1st gen: 2009-10-20 / 2nd gen: 2015-10-13
- Discontinued
- 1st gen: 2015-10-13
- Connectivity
- 1st gen: Bluetooth 2.1 / 2nd gen: Bluetooth 3.0, Lightning port (before October 28, 2024), USB-C port (after October 28, 2024)
- Dimensions
- 2.16cm × 5.71cm × 11.35cm / (0.85in × 2.25in × 4.47in)
- Os
- 1st generation: Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.8 and later / 2nd generation (Lightning): OS X El Capitan 10.11 or later / iPadOS 13.4 or later / 2nd generation (USB-C): macOS Sequoia 15.0 or later
- Weight
- 1st gen: 0.23lb (105 g; including batteries) / 2nd gen: 0.22lb (99 g)
- Power
- 1st gen: 2 AA batteries / 2nd gen: 1986 mAh rechargeable Li-Po battery
- Predecessor
- Mighty Mouse
- Related
- Apple Wireless Keyboard / Magic Keyboard / Magic Trackpad
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The first-generation Magic Mouse was released on October 20, 2009, and introduced multi-touch functionality to a computer mouse. It connects wirelessly to a Mac computer via Bluetooth and is powered by two AA batteries. Apple included two non-rechargeable batteries in the box. Until 2016, Apple sold an Apple Battery Charger with two rechargeable NiMH AA batteries designed for use with Mac peripherals. The Magic Mouse borrows design elements from the preceding Apple Pro Mouse, including its seamless "zero-button" design and translucent acrylic surface. Its multi-touch surface enables 360-degree scrolling, replacing the rubber scroll ball used on the Mighty Mouse. The mouse does not support left- and right-clicking simultaneously and does not support middle click without third-party software workarounds.
The second-generation Magic Mouse was introduced in October 2015 alongside the Magic Keyboard and second-generation Magic Trackpad. It uses a non-removable lithium-ion rechargeable battery and originally included a Lightning port for charging and pairing. A space gray color was introduced with the iMac Pro in 2017 and later became available as a standalone purchase. A variety of pastel colors were introduced in 2021 to match the colors of the M1 iMac. In 2022, the space gray color was replaced by a black color with a silver aluminum finish, which was originally available only with the third-generation Mac Pro. On October 28, 2024, Apple released an updated Magic Mouse that replaced the Lightning charging port with a USB-C port. It requires a Mac running macOS Sequoia or later to function properly.
Reader's Guide
The Magic Mouse is significant as the first computer mouse to incorporate multi-touch functionality, building on the gesture-based interfaces introduced with the iPhone, iPod Touch, and MacBook touchpads. Its design eliminated physical buttons in favor of a seamless touch-sensitive surface, allowing for 360-degree scrolling and inertia scrolling. The first-generation model received mixed initial reception, with criticism over its inability to trigger Exposé, Dashboard, or Spaces without third-party software, and its lack of native middle-click support. Later versions of Mac OS X added gestures for opening Mission Control, which incorporates functionality from Exposé, Dashboard, and Spaces. Other reported issues included unstable connections with first- and second-generation Mac Pro models and a low-profile design that some users found uncomfortable or unergonomic. The second-generation model drew widespread criticism for placing the Lightning charging port on the underside of the mouse, making it unusable while charging. Critics also noted the omission of Force Touch technology, which was included in the second-generation Magic Trackpad. When Apple refreshed the Magic Mouse in 2024 with USB-C charging, the port remained on the underside, renewing criticism. Some reviewers noted that the switch from Lightning to USB-C was the only substantial change to the mouse in nine years.
Did You Know?
- The second-generation Magic Mouse uses a non-removable lithium-ion rechargeable battery.
- The Lightning charging port on the second-generation Magic Mouse is located on the underside, making the mouse unusable while charging.
- An October 2024 revision replaced the Lightning port with a USB-C port.
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