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How to Right Click on Remote Desktop [Mobile, Mac, & Windows]

If you are struggling with navigation, this article provides a step-by-step walkthrough on how to right click on remote desktop regardless of your device. The guide also highlights AnyViewer as a powerful alternative that offers built-in virtual mouse controls.

By @Ellie Last Updated February 26, 2026

Navigating a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) session should feel seamless, but sometimes the most basic actions, like a simple right-click, can feel like a puzzle. Whether you are using a Mac, a mobile device, or a laptop with a finicky touchpad, mastering the "secondary click" is essential for productivity.

How to Right-Click on Remote Desktop (RDP)

This guide covers every method to right-click on Remote Desktop across all major platforms.

1. Right-Clicking on Mobile (iOS and Android)

Using RDP on a tablet or phone relies on touch gestures.

  • Two-Finger Tap: Tap the screen with two fingers simultaneously.
  • Long Press: Press and hold your finger on an icon or the desktop for a second, then release.
  • Mouse Mode: Most RDP apps have a "Mouse Pointer" mode. When active, you can tap the right-click icon on the on-screen toolbar.

2. Right-Clicking on Windows to Windows RDP

If you are connecting from one Windows PC to another, the experience is usually native.

  • The Mouse: Simply click the physical right mouse button.
  • The Trackpad: Most modern Windows laptops support a two-finger tap or a press in the bottom-right corner of the trackpad.
  • The Keyboard Shortcut: If your mouse fails, highlight the item and press Shift + F10. This is the universal Windows shortcut to open a context menu.

3. How to Right-Click on RDP from a Mac

macOS handles inputs differently from Windows. When it comes to Microsoft Remote Desktop keyboard mapping, many Mac users get confused about how macOS input commands translate into a Windows environment. This is the most common hurdle for users, but you have three easy fixes:

Method A: The Two-Finger Tap

By default, the Microsoft Remote Desktop app for Mac recognizes a two-finger tap on the trackpad as a right-click.

Method B: The Command Key

If the two-finger tap isn't working, hold the Command (⌘) key while clicking. Note: In some RDP configurations, you may need to use Control + Click, though Command is the standard for the Microsoft app.

Method C: Configure Mouse Settings

You can change how the app perceives your mouse in the RDP preferences:

Step 1. Open Microsoft Remote Desktop.

Step 2. Go to Preferences > General.

Step 3. Ensure "Swap mouse buttons" is unchecked unless you are left-handed.

A Smoother Alternative: Using AnyViewer for Easy Navigation

If you find yourself constantly struggling with RDP gestures, keyboard mappings, or driver issues, it might be time to switch to a more user-friendly solution like AnyViewer.

AnyViewer is a powerful, free remote desktop software designed for Windows that eliminates the "input lag" and gesture confusion often found in standard RDP sessions.

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Why AnyViewer makes Right-Clicking easier:

  • Native Gesture Support: AnyViewer is optimized for mobile and cross-platform remote desktop use, meaning a long-press or two-finger tap works instantly without hidden setting tweaks.
  • Virtual Mouse Control: On mobile devices, AnyViewer provides a highly intuitive virtual mouse that includes dedicated buttons for right-clicking and dragging.
  • No Complex Setup: Unlike RDP, which requires Port Forwarding and specific Windows versions (Pro/Enterprise), AnyViewer works across all versions of Windows with a simple "one-click" connect.

How to Right-Click in AnyViewer on Mobile:

Step 1. Download and install AnyViewer on both your computer and your mobile device.

Step 2. Log in with the same account on both devices. From your mobile device, locate your PC in the device list and select One-click Control to establish the connection instantly.

Step 3. Once connected, tap the Mouse icon in the bottom toolbar. Switch from Touch Mode to Mouse Mode. In Mouse Mode, a dedicated right-click button appears on your screen, allowing you to perform right-click actions with ease.

Conclusion

Learning how to right click on remote desktop is a small but vital step in mastering your remote workflow. Whether you choose to use the Shift + F10 shortcut on Windows, the Command-click method on Mac, or touch gestures on your smartphone, you no longer have to feel restricted by your hardware.

If you want to skip the configuration headaches, AnyViewer provides the most intuitive experience. By offering a dedicated virtual mouse and native mobile support, AnyViewer ensures that knowing how to right click on remote desktop is never a hurdle again, allowing you to focus on your work instead of your settings.

FAQs

How to right click on a Mac using Remote Desktop?
 
To right click on a Mac using the Microsoft Remote Desktop app, you can use a two-finger tap on the trackpad. Alternatively, hold the Command (⌘) key while clicking. If these don't work, go to the app's Preferences > General and ensure your mouse settings are configured to recognize secondary clicks.
How to use shortcut keys in Remote Desktop?
 
Most standard Windows shortcuts (like Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V) work natively in RDP. However, if you are on a Mac, you must use the Command key as a substitute for the Control key (e.g., Command+C to copy). To access the context menu without a mouse, the universal keyboard shortcut is Shift + F10.
How to enter Ctrl+Alt+Del in remote desktop from Mac?
 
Since Mac keyboards don't have a "Delete" key that functions like the Windows version, you should use the shortcut Command + Option + Escape (which triggers the Mac version) or use the specific RDP combo: Control + Option + Forward Delete (Fn + Delete). Most RDP apps also have a "Send Ctrl+Alt+Del" command in the top menu bar under "Actions."
How to Ctrl+Alt+Delete on a remote desktop?
 
When using a Windows-to-Windows connection, pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del on your physical keyboard will often trigger the command on your local machine instead of the remote one. To send this command to the remote PC specifically, use the shortcut Ctrl + Alt + End.
How to right click on remote desktop phone?
 
To learn how to right click on remote desktop using a smartphone (iOS or Android), you have two main options:

 

  • Two-Finger Tap: Tap the screen with two fingers at once.
  • Long Press: Press and hold your finger on an item for one second.