Force Touch Trackpad Tricks for Mac: 12 Tips
Force Touch trackpads on Macs add a pressure-sensitive layer to gestures, letting you do more than click and scroll. This article explains what Force Touch is, how to use its signature tricks, and how to customize it to fit how you work. You’ll learn the essential gestures, how to adjust the click pressure, and how to fix common issues.
What Is Force Touch and Which Macs Have It?
Force Touch is a trackpad technology Apple introduced in 2015 with the 12-inch MacBook and the 2015 MacBook Pro. Unlike a traditional trackpad that physically clicks down, a Force Touch trackpad uses four force sensors under the surface to detect how hard you press. It also includes a Taptic Engine that produces a subtle vibration to simulate the feel of a click, even though the trackpad doesn’t actually move.
Force Touch is available on:
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2015 and later)
- MacBook Pro (2015 and later, except the 2016 and later models that use the same technology but are marketed as “Force Touch” as well)
- MacBook Air (2018 and later)
If you’re unsure whether your Mac has it, go to Apple menu > About This Mac > System Report, then select Trackpad under Hardware. If you see “Force Touch” listed, you have it. Alternatively, try the simplest test: press firmly on the trackpad. If you feel a click and then a second, deeper click when you press harder, it’s a Force Touch trackpad.
Core Force Touch Gestures You Should Know
The main trick is the “force click” — a firm press that triggers a secondary action. Here are the most useful ones:
- Look up a word: Force click on a word in any app (Safari, Mail, Pages, etc.) to see a dictionary definition, thesaurus entry, or Wikipedia summary.
- Preview a link: Force click on a link in Safari to see a popover preview of the page without navigating away. Press harder to open it in a new tab.
- Preview a file in Finder: Force click on a file icon to open Quick Look, showing a large preview without opening the file.
- Rename a file: Force click on a file name in Finder to make it editable immediately.
- Show map details: Force click on an address in Mail or Messages to see a map preview.
- Trackpad haptic feedback: Force click on the trackpad itself (anywhere) to feel a click, even if you have “Click” set to Light or Silent.
These gestures work system-wide, but some apps have their own Force Touch actions. For example, in Xcode, force clicking on a variable shows its type; in Music, force clicking on a song title lets you preview it.
How to Customize Force Click Settings
You can adjust how sensitive the force click is and what it does. Go to System Settings > Trackpad (or System Preferences > Trackpad on older macOS).
- Click: Choose between Light, Medium, and Firm. This sets how much pressure is needed to register a regular click.
- Force Click and haptic feedback: Turn this on to enable force click gestures. If you turn it off, you lose all force click actions.
- Haptic feedback strength: You can also adjust the intensity of the Taptic Engine response in the same pane.
If you find force clicks happening accidentally, increase the click pressure to Firm. If you want a lighter touch, set it to Light.
Force Click in Specific Apps
Beyond the basics, many Apple apps have unique force click shortcuts:
- Safari: Force click on a tab to see a preview of the page; force click on a word to look it up; force click on a link to preview it.
- Mail: Force click on a message header to see the full sender details; force click on an attachment to preview it inline.
- Calendar: Force click on an event to see details and edit options.
- Notes: Force click on a date or time to create a calendar event.
- Maps: Force click on a location to get directions or add a pin.
In third-party apps, force click often works as a right-click or middle-click, but developers can also add custom actions. For example, in some code editors, force clicking on a function name shows its definition.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
If force click isn’t working, try these steps in order:
- Check the setting: Go to System Settings > Trackpad and make sure “Force Click and haptic feedback” is enabled.
- Restart your Mac: A simple restart often resolves temporary glitches with the trackpad driver.
- Reset the trackpad settings: Delete the property list file for the trackpad (com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad.plist) from ~/Library/Preferences, then restart. This resets all trackpad settings to defaults.
- Check for debris: Dirt or moisture under the trackpad can interfere with the force sensors. Clean the surface gently with a soft, dry cloth.
- Update macOS: Ensure your Mac is running the latest version of macOS, as trackpad bugs are often fixed in updates.
- Try a different user account: If force click works in another user account, the issue is with your user settings, not the hardware.
If none of these work, it could be a hardware issue. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for diagnostics.
Force Touch vs. Traditional Trackpads
Force Touch differs from older trackpads in two key ways: it doesn’t physically move, and it can sense pressure levels. Traditional trackpads (like those on older MacBooks or most Windows laptops) have a mechanical hinge that clicks down. Force Touch replaces that with a vibration that mimics a click, which means you can click anywhere on the surface, even at the very top edge, with equal ease.
Another difference is that Force Touch can distinguish between a light tap, a normal click, and a force click. This allows for three levels of interaction: tap to click, click to select, and force click for previews or actions. Traditional trackpads only have two levels: tap and click.
Some users miss the physical click of older trackpads, but most adapt quickly. The Taptic Engine provides a convincing click sensation, and you can adjust the intensity to your liking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Mac has Force Touch?
Go to Apple menu > About This Mac > System Report, then select Trackpad under Hardware. If it says “Force Touch” under Model, you have it. Alternatively, press firmly on the trackpad — if you feel a second click, it’s Force Touch.
Can I turn off Force Click but keep the haptic feedback?
Yes. In System Settings > Trackpad, uncheck “Force Click and haptic feedback.” This disables force click gestures but leaves the haptic click sensation for regular clicks. You can also adjust the haptic strength separately.
Why does my trackpad not click physically anymore?
Force Touch trackpads don’t have a physical hinge — the click is simulated by the Taptic Engine. This is by design. If you feel no click at all, make sure haptic feedback is enabled in Trackpad settings, and check that the trackpad is clean and dry.
Can I use Force Touch on an external mouse?
No, Force Touch is exclusive to the built-in trackpad on supported Macs. External mice, even Apple’s Magic Mouse, do not have force sensors. However, you can still use secondary click (right-click) on a mouse.
Does Force Touch work with Windows or Linux via Boot Camp?
Force Touch gestures are not supported in Windows or Linux on a Mac. In Boot Camp, the trackpad works as a standard multi-touch trackpad, but force click and haptic feedback are not available. Apple provides drivers for basic trackpad functions, but not Force Touch.
How do I adjust the click pressure on my Force Touch trackpad?
Go to System Settings > Trackpad and use the “Click” slider to choose Light, Medium, or Firm. This changes how much pressure is needed for a regular click. The force click threshold is tied to this setting as well.
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