TL;DR
Here are some basic ways to use Mac Trackpad gestures:
- Tap to Click: Tap with one finger for a standard click.
- Right-click: Tap with two fingers for a right-click or context menu.
- Scroll: Slide two fingers up or down to scroll vertically or horizontally.
- Zoom In/Out: Pinch two fingers together or apart to zoom.
- Drag and Drop: Use three fingers to click and drag items, then release to drop them.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
Using your Mac trackpad is easy, but you might not be using it to its full potential. In this guide, I’ll show you how to use Mac Trackpad gestures. I’ll also share some basic and advanced trackpad gestures to navigate your Mac more smoothly.
Mastering Basic Mac Trackpad Gestures
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Apple’s trackpad has built-in Multi-Touch gestures that can make your workflow more efficient. Here’s how to use Mac trackpad gestures:
1. Tap to Click
Single-finger tap functions as a click.
How to Turn On Tap to Click on Mac
Turning on Tap to Click on a Mac lets you register a click by tapping the trackpad instead of pressing it down. Here’s how to turn it on:
- Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- Click Trackpad in the left sidebar and navigate to the Point & Click tab.
- Toggle on the Tap to click switch.
The specific options and labels may vary depending on your macOS version.
2. Right-click or Secondary Click
A two-finger tap or click performs a secondary click.
3. Smart Zoom
You can zoom in or out on a webpage or PDF by double-tapping with two fingers.
How to Turn On Smart Zoom on Mac
Smart Zoom is handy for reading small text, zooming in on image details, and navigating content more easily. Here’s how to turn on Smart Zoom on a Mac:
- Open System Settings and click Trackpad in the left sidebar.
- Navigate to the Scroll & Zoom tab.
- Toggle on the Smart zoom switch.
4. Scroll
To scroll, glide two fingers up or down.
How to Turn On Natural Scrolling on Mac
To enable Natural Scrolling on a Mac, follow these steps:
- Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- Click Trackpad and navigate to the Scroll & Zoom tab.
- Toggle on the Natural scrolling switch.
Now, scrolling up moves the content up, and scrolling down moves it down, just like on a touchscreen.
5. Zoom In and Zoom Out
Use a two-finger pinch movement to zoom in or zoom out on Mac.
How to Turn On Zoom In or Out on Mac
To turn on Zoom In or Out on a Mac, follow these steps:
- Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- Click Trackpad and navigate to the Scroll & Zoom tab.
- Toggle on the Zoom in or out switch.
Now, you can zoom in and out on your entire screen by pinching the trackpad with two fingers.
6. Rotation
Twirl two fingers around one another to rotate an item like a photo.
How to Turn On Rotate on Mac
Here’s how to turn on rotation on Mac:
- Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- Click Trackpad and navigate to the Scroll & Zoom tab.
- Toggle on the Rotate switch.
7. Page Navigation
To swipe between pages, swipe two fingers, either left or right.
8. Notification Center Access
To open the Notification Center, swipe two fingers to the left from the right edge.
How to Turn On Notification Center Access Gesture on Mac
Here’s how to turn on the Notification Center access gesture on a Mac:
- Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- Click Trackpad and navigate to the More Gestures tab.
- Toggle on the Notification Center switch.
After enabling the gesture, swipe left from the right edge of the trackpad to open the Notification Center on your Mac.
9. Drag and Drop
Enable three-finger drag in Accessibility settings to move items on your screen with three fingers, then tap or click to release them.
10. Word Lookup and Data Detectors
A three-finger tap lets you define a word or interact with dates, addresses, phone numbers, etc.
11. Desktop View
To see your desktop, spread your thumb and three fingers apart.
How to Turn On Show Desktop Gesture on Mac
To turn on the Show Desktop gesture on a Mac, follow these steps:
- Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- Click Trackpad and navigate to the More Gestures tab.
- Toggle on the Show Desktop switch.
Once enabled, use the Show Desktop gesture (spread with thumb and three fingers) to minimize all open windows and reveal the desktop.
12. Launchpad Access
Bring your thumb and three fingers together to open Launchpad.
How to Turn On Launchpad Access on Mac
To enable Launchpad access on a Mac, which lets you quickly launch applications in a grid view, follow these steps:
- Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- Click Trackpad and navigate to the More Gestures tab.
- Toggle on the Launchpad switch.
13. Mission Control Access
Four-finger swipe upwards opens Mission Control.
🆕 If you’re using multiple apps and windows, the Mission Control gesture is great for quickly navigating your workspace.
14. App Exposé
To view all windows of the current app, swipe four fingers downwards.
15. Full-Screen App Navigation
Swipe four fingers left or right to switch between desktops and full-screen apps.
Navigate Your Mac With Trackpad Gestures
While you can use Mac trackpad gestures to optimize usage, there are other ways to enhance your experience. Here are some tips to boost your productivity on Mac:
- Learn Mac keyboard shortcuts to quickly perform common tasks and save time.
- Knowing the right keyboard commands can help you type special characters on Mac.
- If your Mac trackpad is not working, check trackpad settings, disable Force Click and Haptic Feedback, updating macOS, or reset the SMC.
