Mouse · Network & Internet

Pair one mouse to multiple computers and switch between them instantly

Multi-device mice can stay paired to two or three computers at once and switch between them with a physical button, rather than needing to re-pair every time you move between machines. Logitech's Easy-Switch and Flow ecosystem, and similar features from Razer, Microsoft, and others, are the most common implementations.

How to open Set Up Multi-Device Pairing & Switching

  1. On the mouse, press and hold the number button for an unused slot (commonly 2 or 3) until its indicator LED blinks, putting that slot into pairing mode.
  2. On the second computer, open Bluetooth settings (or plug in a second USB receiver if the mouse ships with more than one) and select the mouse from the discoverable devices list.
  3. Once paired, tap the same number button any time to switch that mouse's active connection to that computer, and install the manufacturer's cross-computer software (e.g., Logitech Flow) if you want automatic edge-of-screen switching instead of manual button presses.

What you should know

  • Basic multi-device switching uses a numbered button on the underside of the mouse (often labeled 1/2/3) — each number holds a separate Bluetooth or receiver pairing, and pressing it disconnects from the current device and reconnects to whichever computer is paired to that slot.
  • Logitech Flow (available on many Logitech mice via G HUB or Options+) goes a step further: it detects when the cursor reaches the edge of one computer's screen and automatically hands control to a second nearby computer running the same software, and can even copy/paste text and drag-and-drop files between the two machines.
  • Mice can typically mix connection types across slots — for example, slot 1 paired via the included 2.4GHz USB receiver to a desktop, and slot 2 paired via Bluetooth directly to a laptop, switched with the same physical button.
  • Setup for each slot works the same as any other pairing: put the mouse in pairing mode for that specific slot (usually holding the corresponding number button), then complete Bluetooth pairing or plug in a receiver on that computer.

Why it matters

For anyone working across a laptop and a desktop, or a personal and work machine, multi-device switching removes the friction of unplugging a receiver or re-pairing Bluetooth every time you change computers — a one-button switch (or an automatic edge-of-screen handoff with Flow-style software) turns what used to be a 30-second interruption into an instant transition.

Best practices

  • Label or memorize which slot number corresponds to which computer, especially with three or more paired devices — the LED blink patterns that indicate current slot are easy to lose track of otherwise.
  • If using an automatic-handoff feature like Logitech Flow, keep both computers on the same network and awake/unlocked, since the handoff relies on local network discovery between the two machines.
  • Re-pair a slot if a computer's Bluetooth stack changes significantly (e.g., after a major OS reinstall) — stored pairing keys can go stale and cause a slot to silently stop connecting.

Common problems and fixes

Switching slots doesn't reconnect to the intended computer
Confirm that computer's Bluetooth is on and not already connected to a different device in the same slot; also check the mouse's battery, since low battery can cause switching failures that look like a pairing problem.
Automatic edge-of-screen switching (e.g., Logitech Flow) stops working
Verify both computers are on the same local network and the manufacturer software is running (not just installed) on both — Flow-style features rely on a background service that can get closed by an OS update or manual quit.

Tips and tricks

  • If you only ever switch between two specific computers, it's often faster to memorize the two-tap sequence than to rely on automatic software-based handoff, which occasionally lags a second or two behind a manual button press.

Frequently asked questions

Does multi-device switching work with a USB receiver as well as Bluetooth?

Yes for mice designed for it — some receivers (like Logitech's Unifying or Bolt receivers) can themselves pair with multiple compatible mice or accept switching signals, but check your specific model's documentation since implementations vary.