Open the battery compartment on the bottom of your mouse

The Apple Magic Mouse and Magic Mouse 2 both have a battery door on the underside. Flip the mouse over so you can see the bottom. You will see a small rectangular panel with a thin groove running along one edge — this is the battery door.

Push the door toward the groove side (away from the cable port on Magic Mouse 2, or away from the front edge on the original Magic Mouse). The door will slide out about a quarter inch and then lift away. Set it somewhere you will not lose it — it is small and straightforward to misplace.

Key Takeaways

  • The battery door slides out from the bottom of the mouse and lifts away; push it in the direction of the groove to release it.
  • Apple Magic Mouse uses two AA batteries; Magic Mouse 2 uses a rechargeable battery that does not need replacing.
  • Insert new AA batteries with the positive end (+) facing toward the front of the mouse, matching the diagram inside the compartment.
  • Close the door by sliding it back in until it clicks, and test the mouse by moving it and clicking to confirm it responds.

Check which Apple mouse you have before buying batteries

The original Magic Mouse (released 2009–2015) uses two AA batteries. If you have this model, you will need to buy two fresh AA batteries — alkaline or rechargeable both work, though alkaline lasts longer in this mouse.

The Magic Mouse 2 (released 2015 onward) has a built-in rechargeable battery and does not use replaceable batteries. If you have Magic Mouse 2, you do not need to buy batteries. Instead, charge the mouse using the Lightning cable that came with it. Plug the cable into the port on the bottom of the mouse and connect the other end to a USB power adapter or your computer.

Insert the new batteries with the correct orientation

Once the battery door is open, you will see two battery slots inside the compartment. There is a small diagram printed on the inside of the door or the compartment itself showing which end of the battery goes where. The positive end of the battery (marked with a +) must face toward the front of the mouse — the end closer to the tracking surface.

Slide the first battery into the left slot, positive end forward. Then slide the second battery into the right slot the same way. Both batteries should sit flat and flush with the compartment. If a battery is sticking up or feels loose, remove it and reinsert it, making sure it is fully seated.

Close the battery door and test the connection

Slide the battery door back into place by aligning it with the slot on the bottom of the mouse and pushing it toward the front until you hear or feel a click. The door should sit flush with the rest of the mouse body with no gaps. If it does not click or feels loose, remove it and try again — the door must be fully seated for the battery contacts to work.

Turn the mouse over and move it on a flat surface while watching your computer screen. The cursor should move smoothly. Click the mouse button a few times to confirm it responds. If the mouse does not move or click, turn it off and back on using the power switch on the bottom (if your model has one), or remove and reinsert the batteries to reset the connection.

Troubleshoot if the mouse does not respond after battery replacement

If the mouse still does not work after you have installed fresh batteries and closed the door, the batteries may be inserted backward. Open the door again and check that the positive (+) end of each battery faces the front of the mouse. This is the most common reason a mouse stops responding after a battery change.

If the batteries are oriented correctly, try removing them, waiting 10 seconds, and reinserting them. This resets the connection between the batteries and the mouse. If the mouse still does not respond, the batteries themselves may be dead — try a different pair of AA batteries to rule this out. Rechargeable AA batteries sometimes lose charge during storage, so alkaline batteries are a safer test.

If a fresh pair of alkaline batteries does not work, the mouse may have a hardware problem unrelated to the batteries. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store to have the mouse tested.

Know when to replace batteries before they run out

Apple Magic Mouse will show a low battery warning in your Mac's menu bar when the batteries are running low — you will see a battery icon with a red or yellow indicator. You do not have to wait until the mouse stops working to replace the batteries. Many users find it convenient to replace them as soon as they see the warning, so the mouse never dies unexpectedly during work.

Alkaline AA batteries typically last 1 to 3 months in a Magic Mouse, depending on how often you use it. Rechargeable AA batteries last shorter between charges but can be recharged hundreds of times, making them cheaper over time if you use the mouse daily. Keep a spare pair of AA batteries in a drawer so you can swap them in when ready if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use rechargeable AA batteries in my Magic Mouse?

Yes. Rechargeable AA batteries work in the original Magic Mouse. They may show a low battery warning sooner than alkaline batteries because they have a slightly lower voltage, but they function normally. Recharge them in a separate battery charger, not in the mouse itself.

What if I lose the battery door?

Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store to order a replacement door. You can also search online retailers for "Magic Mouse battery door" to find third-party replacements. Without the door, the batteries will fall out and the mouse will not work.

Do I need to turn off the mouse before replacing batteries?

No. You can replace the batteries while the mouse is on. However, turning it off first does not hurt and may reduce the chance of a brief connection glitch. If you have a power switch on the bottom of your mouse, you can flip it off before opening the battery door.

How do I know if my batteries are inserted correctly?

Check the diagram printed inside the battery compartment or on the inside of the battery door. The positive end (+) should face toward the front of the mouse. If both batteries are oriented this way and the door clicks shut, they are installed correctly.

Why does my Magic Mouse 2 not charge?

Make sure the Lightning cable is fully inserted into the port on the bottom of the mouse and that the other end is connected to a working USB power adapter or computer. Try a different USB cable or power adapter to rule out a faulty cable. If the mouse still will not charge, contact Apple Support.