How to Change a Mac Mouse Battery

This article explains how to change the batteries in a Magic Mouse, including instructions for charging a Magic Mouse 2 and how to replace the batteries in a Magic Trackpad.

How to Replace the Batteries in a Magic Mouse

If your Magic Mouse has an oblong black tab on the bottom side, you can replace the batteries. It takes two AA batteries, and you can use either disposable or rechargeable batteries. It doesn’t take any special tools, so just make sure you have some fresh batteries ready before you start.

Here’s how to replace the batteries in a first generation Magic Mouse:

1. Flip your Magic Mouse over, and gently pull or push the oblong black tab toward the back of the mouse. When the battery cover pops up, lift it off and set it aside.

   

2. Remove the batteries.

   

   It’s slightly easier to pry the batteries out from the negative side, toward the back of the mouse, because the positive ends are inset into the front of the mouse.

3. Place new batteries in one at a time.

   

   It’s easiest to insert the negative side first, push back on the spring loaded contact, and then push down on the positive end.

4. Slide the tab on the cover into the front end of the battery compartment, and push down on the back to snap it in place.

   

   This should take very little force. If sliding the cover into place or pushing it down takes any force, stop pushing and check to make sure the batteries are inserted all the way and the cover is positioned correctly.

How to Charge a Magic Mouse

The second generation Magic Mouse has a built-in battery, so you need to charge it instead of swapping in new batteries. It has a Lightning port on the bottom, and you can charge it via your Mac or any compatible charger.

Here’s how to charge a Magic Mouse:

1. Locate a Lightning cable. One end needs to have a Lightning connector, but the other end can be either Lightning, USB-C, or USB-A.

   

2. Plug the other end of the Lightning cable into your Mac or a compatible charger.

   

3. Turn your Magic Mouse over, and locate the Lightning port on the bottom.

   

4. Plug your Lightning cable into the Lightning port, and your mouse will start charging.

   

   Inconvenient, sure, but a 5-minute charge will last you all day. A full charge takes over 2 hours. Your Mac can show you the amount of charge on the Magic Mouse.

How to Replace the Batteries in a Magic Trackpad

The Magic Trackpad is a wireless touchpad device that you can use with your Mac instead of a mouse, and the first generation of the hardware features replaceable batteries.

Here’s how to change the batteries in a Magic Trackpad:

1. Insert a coin into the indentation on the tubular battery compartment, and turn counterclockwise.

   

2. Use your fingers to continue turning the cap counterclockwise until you can remove it.

   

3. Remove the batteries by tilting the Magic Trackpad and allowing them to slide out.

   

4. Insert new batteries positive end first.

   

5. Use your fingers to screw the cap back in by turning it clockwise.

   

6. Insert a coin into the slot, and turn clockwise until the cap feels snug.

   

How Do I Tell if My Magic Mouse Is Charging?

The second-generation Magic Mouse doesn’t provide any outward sign that it’s charging. To check if the mouse is charging, open the control center on the Mac the mouse is connected to, click Bluetooth, and check the charge status of the mouse. You can then plug it in and try to charge it for a while, then check again.

If the number is higher the second time you check, the mouse is charging. If it isn’t, try a different cable or plug the cable into a different charging port or charging device.

Can You Replace the Batteries in a Magic Mouse?

The first generation Magic Mouse has replaceable batteries, but the second generation version of the hardware has a built-in battery that needs to be recharged instead of replaced.

The way to tell which you have is to flip the mouse over, hold it so the Apple logo is right side up, and look toward the bottom of the underside of the mouse. If it has an oblong black tab, it’s a first-generation Magic Mouse. If it has a Lightning port, it’s a second-generation Magic Mouse.