Check which buttons your Mac detects
Connect your mouse over USB or Bluetooth and review the device in Mousely. Available buttons depend on the model and driver. Some manufacturer apps intercept buttons before macOS receives them; if a button is missing, review that app before assigning actions.
Assign actions in Buttons
Open Buttons and choose an action for a detected button. You can use actions such as back, forward, play or pause, and Mission Control. Test each assignment in the app where you will use it: back and forward navigation depend on that application’s support.
Use a custom keyboard shortcut
For an action available through a keyboard shortcut, assign that combination to a button in Mousely. First check that the shortcut works on the keyboard in the relevant app. A button sending a shortcut does not change what each application does with that combination.
Choose a gesture trigger button
In Gestures, select a trigger button and an action for each direction. To perform a gesture, hold that button, move your mouse and release it. Directions can open Mission Control, show app windows or move to the previous and next desktop.
Check the destination desktop
When assigning previous and next, check the desktop you arrive at using Mission Control as a reference. The animation’s movement can be confusing. Set actions according to the destination you want to reach with each direction.
Pan by holding a button
Hold-to-pan lets you move through larger content by moving the mouse while holding a button. Adjust sensitivity and inertia for comfortable motion. Results on canvases and other surfaces depend on how each application supports scrolling.
If a button or gesture does not respond
Check that Mousely is enabled and Accessibility and Input Monitoring are enabled in macOS. Keep one copy of the app in Applications. To isolate a conflict, pause other mouse utilities and test the action and selected device again.