SensibleSideButtons

SensibleSideButtons restores the expected back‑and‑forward functionality of side mouse buttons on macOS when using third‑party mice. By default macOS assigns those buttons a limited middle‑click behavior that only opens new links in browsers, leaving most applications unresponsive. This utility remaps the side buttons to the standard system shortcuts for navigating history, allowing the buttons to work across a wide range of apps that support ⌘‑[ and ⌘‑] commands.

The tool operates at the system level, intercepting side‑button events and translating them into the appropriate keyboard shortcuts without requiring additional mouse‑specific software. It avoids the noisy menu‑bar flashes and alert sounds that can occur when shortcuts are sent to the foreground application, delivering a more consistent navigation experience regardless of cursor position.

SensibleSideButtons is open‑source, stable, and compatible with macOS 10.10 and later. It targets users who rely on third‑party mice and want reliable, application‑wide back and forward navigation similar to the behavior found on Windows.