Change how fast you need to double-click on your Mac

Why it happens

Your Mac only counts two clicks as a double-click when the second one comes within a set time. If that time is very short, your clicks feel too slow and nothing opens. If it's very long, two separate clicks can join up and open things you didn't mean to.

How to fix it

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, choose System Settings, then click Accessibility in the sidebar.

2. Click Pointer Control. Under Mouse & Trackpad you'll find the Double-click speed slider. Drag it to the left to give yourself more time between clicks, or to the right if things open when you didn't want them to.

   Accessibility›Pointer Control›Mouse & Trackpad›Double-click speed

3. Try it on a folder in Finder. If a relaxed double-click opens it and two slow, separate clicks don't, you've found a good spot. Move the slider a notch at a time until it feels right.

Still not fixed?

1. On a trackpad, a light tap counts as a click when Tap to click is on. If things open when you barely touch it, turn Tap to click off in Trackpad settings under Point & Click.

   Trackpad›Point & Click›Tap to click

2. Pressing hard on a trackpad can open a preview or look up a word. If that happens by accident, turn off Force Click and haptic feedback on the same page.

   Trackpad›Point & Click›Force Click and haptic feedback

3. If a single click on your mouse often counts as two, even with the slider set to slow, try a different mouse or a different port. Charge a wireless mouse too, since a low battery can make clicks unreliable.

4. A mouse or trackpad that keeps double-clicking by itself usually has a worn button, which is a hardware fault. Contact Apple Support or a repair shop for an Apple mouse or trackpad, or the maker for another brand.