By default, Apple’s MacBooks (and the standalone Magic Trackpad) require you to physically press down on the glass surface until you feel a distinct “click” in order to select an item or open a file. While the Force Touch mechanism provides excellent tactile feedback, pressing down constantly can become tiring on your fingers during a long workday.
If you prefer a lighter touch, you can enable a feature called “Tap to click.” This allows you to simply tap the surface of the trackpad with zero physical pressure to register a click, similar to how you tap the screen of an iPhone or iPad.
This guide explains how to enable the Tap to click feature on your Mac.
How to Enable Tap to Click
You can turn this feature on (or off) at any time through the System Settings menu.
- Click the Apple Logo located in the top-left corner of your menu bar.
- Select System Settings from the drop-down menu. (If you are using macOS Monterey or earlier, select System Preferences).
- In the left-hand sidebar of the Settings window, scroll down and click on Trackpad.
- Ensure you are on the Point & Click tab at the top of the window.
- Look for the option labeled Tap to click.
- In macOS Ventura and later, toggle the switch to the On position.
- In older macOS versions, check the empty box next to the option.
The change takes effect instantly. You can now close the System Settings window.
How to Use Tap to Click
Once enabled, the mechanics of navigating your Mac change slightly:
- Single Click: Gently tap the trackpad with one finger to select an item, press a button, or place your cursor.
- Double Click: Rapidly tap the trackpad twice with one finger to open a file or launch an application.
- Right-Click (Secondary Click): Gently tap the trackpad with two fingers simultaneously to open a context menu.
Keep in mind that enabling this feature does not disable the physical click. You can still physically press down on the trackpad if you prefer; Tap to click simply provides an additional, lower-effort method for interacting with macOS.