Force Click Look Up Definitions on macOS 13

Apple’s macOS 13 (macOS Ventura) fully supports the Force Click lookup feature, allowing users to quickly view dictionary definitions, thesaurus entries, and web suggestions. By pressing firmly on a supported trackpad over a highlighted word or text selection, an inline preview window immediately appears without interrupting your workflow. This guide explains how this feature functions in macOS 13, how to enable it, and the hardware requirements necessary to use it.

How to Enable Force Click Lookup in macOS 13

In macOS 13 Ventura, the settings interface was redesigned into System Settings. To configure or verify that Force Click lookup is enabled, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of the screen and select System Settings.
  2. Scroll down the left sidebar and select Trackpad.
  3. Under the Point & Click tab, locate the Look up & data detectors option.
  4. Ensure the toggle next to the option is switched On.
  5. Click the dropdown menu next to the setting and select Force Click with one finger (alternatively, you can choose "Tap with three fingers" if you prefer gesture taps over pressure clicks).

How to Use the Feature

Once activated, place the cursor over any word in supported native applications—such as Safari, Pages, Mail, or Notes—and apply firm pressure to the trackpad until you feel a second, deeper haptic click. A popover bubble will display the definition from the built-in macOS Dictionary alongside relevant data detectors such as Wikipedia summaries, unit conversions, or flight details.

Third-party browsers like Google Chrome also support this feature, provided the cursor is hovered over standard text.

Hardware Requirements

To utilize the Force Click gesture, you must be using a Mac equipped with a Force Touch trackpad. This includes:

  • MacBook Pro models introduced in 2015 or later
  • MacBook Air models introduced in 2018 or later
  • 12-inch MacBook models (2015–2017)
  • Standalone Apple Magic Trackpad 2 or Magic Trackpad (USB-C)

If you are using a standard mouse or an older trackpad that lacks haptic Force Touch sensors, the lookup feature can still be accessed by selecting the text, right-clicking, and choosing Look Up, or by pressing the keyboard shortcut Command + Control + D.