How to Double Click on Mac

Having trouble double-clicking on your Mac can be frustrating, especially when you need it to open apps or change settings quickly. With the assistance of MacKeeper’s Antivirus, you’ll be able to find and stop any suspicious activity that may be affecting your daily tasks.

System Requirements: macOS 10.11 or later

60+ million downloads

i

AV-TEST certified

AV-TEST is an independent lab that checks the effectiveness of antivirus apps against real malware samples.

i

Notarized by Apple

Notarization by Apple is a security measure to check if software is free from malicious components.

i

Trustpilot is an independent digital platform that hosts insightful and honest consumer reviews.

How to Double Click on Mac
Written by   Tanya Ellis
Published: September 30, 2025

To right click on Mac, you need to tap twice on your trackpad or double-click on your external mouse. This will allow you to conveniently open Apps, folders, or files on your device.

What is double-clicking on Mac?

Double-clicking on a Mac refers to double-pressing the mouse button or quickly tapping on your trackpad twice. The double click is similar to a shortcut as it can be used to quickly open files, launch apps, or access your folders. Unlike Windows, where double-clicking serves different navigation purposes, macOS interprets this as a single command–making it an essential part of your Mac experience.

 

Wondering which is more user-friendly, Mac or Windows? Our team of Clario Tech experts has curated a comparison guide to help you make an informed choice based on device compatibility, software features, and interface usability.

A note from our experts: 

 

Safeguarding your MacBook is equally important as mastering double-clicking to safely open files or launch apps. MacKeeper’s Antivirus is highly reliable for both optimization and cybersecurity. It keeps your system and content secure from malware threats, allowing you to navigate through your device with peace of mind.

 

Here’s how MacKeeper’s Antivirus helps keep your Mac secure and double-clicking smooth:

  1. Download and open the MacKeeper app.
  2. Click on Antivirus.
  3. Enable Real-time Protection and Allow Full Disk Access.
  4. Then press Start Scan to check for threats.
  5. If any threads are found, follow the on-screen instructions to Move to Quarantine.
To keep your device secure, as you double-click to open your personal files, first you’ll need to open the MacKeeper app and navigate to the Antivirus tool. Once opened, you’ll need to enable real-time Protection and then Allow Full Disk Access.
Step 1. Open MacKeeper’s Antivirus, Enable Real-time Protection, and Allow Full Disk Access
Then you’ll need to press Start Scan to let MacKeeper scan your device for any potential threats. If any threats are found that may affect your ability to double-click safely, follow the on-screen instructions to Move to Quarantine to rescue your Mac.
Step 2. Start Scan and if any threats are found, follow the instructions to Move to Quarantine

How to double-tap on MacBook trackpad?

We urge you to make sure all the shortcuts you perform on your MacBook, whether keyboard or trackpad shortcuts, are executed properly to avoid system issues. To double-tap properly, just press down on your trackpad twice. You can also enable Tap to Click, which allows you to execute the double click with just one finger for both your convenience and to save time.

 

Here’s how to enable Tap to Click on your trackpad:

  1. Open System Settings > TrackPad.
  2. In Point & Click, turn on the Tap to click button.
To enable Tap to Click for your Trackpad, you’ll need to open System Settings and head to the TrackPad tab. In Pint & Click, turn on the button next to Tap to Click. Now, you’ll be able to double-tap on your MacBook with ease.
In System Settings, go to Trackpad and tick where it says Tap to Click to enable double-tap

Additional support from the MacKeeper team: 

 

To help you change Mac keyboard mapping, our experts have created a guide covering everything from changing your Mac’s System Preferences to enabling our macOS utility software to lend a hand. Check it out if you’re considering customizing your commands to improve productivity.

How to double-click on Mac using a mouse?

If you regularly use an Apple computer instead of a MacBook, or you simply prefer a plug-in mouse over the trackpad, you can still enable the double-click function for both convenience and speed. Instead of double-tapping on a flat trackpad, you'll need to press down on the left button on your mouse twice in quick succession. Also, in Settings, you can change the clicking speed easily.

 

Here’s how to alter the speed of double-clicking when using an external mouse:

  1. Open System Settings.
  2. Go to Accessibility > Pointer Control.
  3. Then drag the Double-click Speed slider to the pace you’re happy with.
To adjust the speed of your Double-click shortcut with a traditional, plug-in mouse, you’ll first need to head into System Settings. Then head to Accessibility > Pointer Control. From there, you’ll see a speed slider that you can adjust to alter the default Double-click speed.
Open Settings, go to Accessibility > Pointer Control, to adjust the Double-click speed slider

An insight from us: 

 

Mastering the double-tap on your MacBook makes opening files and apps effortless. To go further, explore our guide on how to access files on Mac, where our Clario Tech experts share tips for quickly locating and managing your documents.

How to double-click without trackpad or a mouse on Mac?

If you want to use the double-click function without a mouse or trackpad, you can use keyboard shortcuts. Pressing a combination of keys on a computer or MacBook lets you mimic double-clicking. Command + Option + F5 or triple-tapping the Touch ID button works the same as double-tapping, but might need enabling first.

 

Here’s how to enable the Double-tapping function for Keyboard Keys:

  1. Open System Settings.
  2. Go to Accessibility > Pointer Control.
  3. In the Mouse & TrackPad settings, turn on Mouse Keys.
  4. Now you’ll be able to use Command + Option + F5 or the Touch ID Button to double-tap.
You can use keyboard shortcuts to double-click, but they do need to be enabled first. To enable them, open System Settings. Then head to Accessibility > Pointer Control and then make sure you’re in the Mouse & TrackPad settings. From there, enable Mouse Keys. Now you’ll be able to triple-press the Touch ID button or Comm+Opt+F5 to double-tap.
In Settings, go to Accessibility > Pointer Control > Mouse & TrackPad and turn on Mouse Keys

Mastering double-clicking and keeping your Mac secure

Being able to double-click on a Mac is a simple yet essential Mac action for opening files, launching apps, and navigating your system efficiently. Whether you’re using a mouse, trackpad, or accessibility features like Mouse Keys, properly adjusting your settings ensures your device responds smoothly to your preferred clicking style.

 

To help keep your everyday tasks like double-clicking seamless, don’t forget about regularly checking your Mac’s security to enhance performance. With MacKeeper’s Antivirus, you can safeguard your MacBook against threats, protect your files, and maintain smooth system navigation. That way, your Apple device can continue to work the way you need it to.

Use your Mac to the fullest! Sign up and get:
Effective tips on how to fix Mac issues
Reliable advice on how to stay safe online
Mac-world news and updates

Thank you!

You’ll love exploring your Mac with us.

Oops, something went wrong.

Try again or reload a page.

Here’s another sign you need to upgrade your macOS ASAP:

30% off your MacKeeper subscription

Сopy the code now and use it in the MacKeeper checkout after the upgrade.

Copy Code

Please be aware that this code cannot be combined with any other discounts, offers, or promotions.

Contents

Unlocked
PC

MacKeeper - your all-in-one solution for more space and maximum security.

Try Now

Read more

How to Add Downloads to Dock
How to Add Downloads to Dock
How To Downgrade from macOS Big Sur to Сatalina
How To Downgrade from macOS Big Sur to Сatalina
arrow

Run Application

step_1

Click Continue

step_2

Click Install

step_1

Your macOS version is lower than OS 10.11. We’d like to offer you MacKeeper 4 to solve the cleaning, privacy, and security issues of your macOS.