Magic Trackpad: Gestures Tips and Tricks

Apple's Magic Trackpad is a versatile tool that offers a range of gestures to enhance your navigation and interaction with your Mac. 

Magic Trackpad Gestures

The Magic Trackpad supports a variety of gestures designed to streamline your interaction with files and applications. Depending on your MacOS version, your trackpad may support up to 19 gestures. You can control the settings and customize each of the Magic Trackpad gestures under System Preferences >> Trackpad.

Tap to click Tap with one finger to click.

Tap to click. Tap with one finger to click.

Secondary click (right-click) Click or tap with two fingers.

Secondary click (right-click). Click or tap with two fingers.

Smart zoom Double-tap with two fingers to zoom in and back out of a webpage or PDF.
Smart zoom. Double-tap with two fingers to zoom in and back out of a webpage or PDF.
Scroll Slide two fingers up or down to scroll.
Scroll. Slide two fingers up or down to scroll.
Zoom in or out Pinch with two fingers to zoom in or out.
Zoom in or out. Pinch with two fingers to zoom in or out.
Swipe between pages Swipe left or right with two fingers to show the previous or next page.
Swipe between pages. Swipe left or right with two fingers to show the previous or next page.
Open Notification Center Swipe left from the right edge with two fingers to show Notification Center.
Open Notification Center
Swipe left from the right edge with two fingers to show Notification Center.
Three finger drag Use three fingers to drag items on your screen, then click or tap to drop. Turn on this feature in Accessibility preferences.
Three finger drag. Use three fingers to drag items on your screen, then click or tap to drop. Turn on this feature in Accessibility preferences.
Look up and data detectors Tap with three fingers to look up a word or take actions with dates, addresses, phone numbers, and other data.
Look up and data detectors. Tap with three fingers to look up a word or take actions with dates, addresses, phone numbers, and other data.
Rotate Move two fingers around each other to rotate a photo or other item.
Rotate. Move two fingers around each other to rotate a photo or other item.
Show desktop Spread your thumb and three fingers apart to show your desktop.
Show desktop. Spread your thumb and three fingers apart to show your desktop.
Launchpad Pinch your thumb and three fingers together to display Launchpad.
Launchpad. Pinch your thumb and three fingers together to display Launchpad.
Mission Control Swipe up with four fingers to open Mission Control.
Mission Control. Swipe up with four fingers to open Mission Control.
App Exposé Swipe down with four fingers to see all windows of the app you're using.
App Expose. Swipe down with four fingers to see all windows of the app you're using.
Swipe between full-screen apps Swipe left or right with four fingers2 to move between desktops and full-screen apps
Swipe between full-screen apps. Swipe left or right with four fingers to move between desktops and full-screen apps.

Create custom trackpad gestures

For more customization, you can use third-party software to create additional gestures or change existing ones:

BetterTouchTool: This is a paid app that allows you to create custom gestures for your Mac & MacBook. Here's a general guide on how to use it:

  • Download and install BetterTouchTool.
  • Open BetterTouchTool from your Applications folder.
  • In the left panel, select "Trackpad".
  • Click the "+ Add New Gesture" button.
  • In the Touchpad Gesture section, select the number of fingers and the gesture from the dropdown menus.
  • In the Assigned Action section, click the dropdown menu and select the action you want to trigger with this gesture.
  • Your custom gesture is now set up.
AssistiveTouch (iPad): Though not exactly creating new gestures, this feature allows you to customize certain gestures that could be easier or more convenient for you. It's part of the accessibility features built into iOS. To use AssistiveTouch, go to Settings -> Accessibility -> Touch -> AssistiveTouch. From there, you can create a new gesture.

The Magic Trackpad is a powerful tool that can greatly enhance your productivity and interaction with your Mac, Macbook or iPad. By mastering these gestures, you can navigate your Mac with ease and efficiency. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't hesitate to spend some time getting familiar with these gestures. Happy navigating!
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