BetterTouchTool Tutorial: Trackpad Gestures, Window Snapping, and Custom Actions

BetterTouchTool for Trackpad

BetterTouchTool (BTT) is the ultimate macOS input customization tool. For trackpads, it lets you assign actions to specific gestures — three-finger swipes, four-finger clicks, force-touch variants, and more.

This guide sets up trackpad gestures for window snapping, app launching, and custom actions that transform how you interact with your Mac.

• Map multi-finger gestures to any action
• Window snapping via trackpad drag to edges
• Trigger keyboard shortcuts or scripts with gestures
• Configure per-app gesture profiles

Installation & Accessibility Permissions

Install BetterTouchTool from folivora.ai or via Homebrew:

brew install --cask bettertouchtool

• macOS 12 or later
• Accessibility permissions (BTT will prompt)
• Input monitoring permissions for trackpad gesture detection
• A Magic Trackpad or built-in trackpad

Trackpad Gesture Setup

Open BTT, select "Trackpads" from the left sidebar. Click "+" to add a gesture.

Essential gesture setup:

• Three-finger swipe up → Mission Control or app expose
• Three-finger swipe down → Show desktop
• Three-finger swipe left/right → Switch desktops (spaces)
• Four-finger click → Show Launchpad or custom menu
• TipTap (two-finger tap on one held finger) → Right click

For each gesture, select the gesture type, then choose an action from the dropdown. BTT supports hundreds of built-in actions plus custom AppleScripts and shell commands.

Window Snapping Configuration

BTT's window snapping is better than macOS native. Enable it in Settings → Window Snapping & Mosaic.

• Drag a window to the left edge → snap to left half
• Drag to the right edge → snap to right half
• Drag to the top → maximize
• Drag to a corner → quarter-screen snap
• Hold Option while dragging → snap without releasing

Custom Action Triggers

Go beyond gestures with these advanced features:

• Per-app gesture profiles: different gestures active in different apps
• Custom widgets in the Touch Bar or menu bar
• Remote control from iPhone/iPad (see [[BetterTouchTool Remote]])
• Trigger named actions from scripts via URL schemes
• Chain actions: one gesture triggers a sequence of actions with conditions

Gesture Conflicts & Fixes

Gesture troubleshooting:

• Gestures not detected? Check Input Monitoring permission in System Settings → Privacy
• Window snap not working? Enable "Window Snapping" in BTT → Settings, and check Accessibility permission
• Gesture triggers in wrong app? Use the "Specific App" setting instead of "All Apps"
• Conflicts with system gestures? Disable the system gesture in System Settings → Trackpad, or remap it in BTT

Touch Workflow Mastery

Your trackpad is now a productivity powerhouse. Explore more:

• Control your Mac from iPhone/iPad (see [[BetterTouchTool Remote and Widgets]])
• Pair with Karabiner for keyboard + trackpad combos (see [[Karabiner-Elements Tutorial]])
• Use Raycast for app launching alongside BTT gestures (see [[Raycast Script Commands]])