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How to Map Mouse Side Buttons on macOS

This guide helps you map side buttons on macOS without overcomplicating the setup.

What You Can Map in LinguaX​

  • Button 4
  • Button 5
  • MR / ML (when supported by your device profile)
  • click / double click / long press / directional drag gestures
  1. Pick one high-value action first (for example: back, mission control, app shortcut).
  2. Map it to one side button.
  3. Use it for one full work session.
  4. Add a second mapping only if the first one feels natural.

Keep Mappings Stable​

  • avoid assigning too many actions to one button
  • avoid overlapping mappings across multiple tools
  • use app-scoped overrides only where global behavior is not enough

Good First Mappings​

  • Browser Back / Forward
  • Workspace switch action
  • Open launcher / quick command
  • Repeated app shortcut (for your editor or design tool)

Troubleshooting Quick Checks​

  • confirm accessibility permission is granted
  • verify no duplicate mappings in other utilities
  • test one button with one gesture first