How can I connect a bluetooth mouse without using the cursor (chicken and egg problem)

Make sure your mouse has been reset.

1. Press ⌘+Space and type "Bluetooth" to open bluetooth in System Preferences. You will see your mouse in the list of devices and a button to 'Connect'.
2. Use the Tab key to move to the next control, this will highlight the next one for you (If you are stuck on the text field, press Ctrl+Fn+F7 to switch between navigation of all controls on the screen, press Ctrl+F7 to switch back).
3. Once nothing is highlighted in the window, press the Space bar, this in turn selects the 'Connect' button for you.

If the batteries run out in my wireless mouse it never reconnects automatically and I have resorted to reconnecting a wired mouse to click on the bluetooth icon in the menu bar. Then I found that you can activate the bluetooth icon by pressing Control-F8 (the "Move focus to status menus" in the keyboard shortcuts) and using the cursor keys and the enter key to get to the connect menu item for the mouse.

Keep a cheap usb mouse and keyboard in the back of some closet (with the batteries removed) to quickly use in an emergency. I've successfully used the keyboard and mouse once each in the last 8 - 10 years but it's worth it.

You should see a prompt when you turn on your computer. If the mouse can't be found,

• Check if the mouse is on.
• Check all other computers to see if one of them is paired with the mouse. If that is the case, unpair it.

If none of those work, try a USB mouse.

You can open the Mouse System Preferences by using Spotlight search.

1. Press ⌘-Space to open Spotlight. Type "mouse" to find the Mouse System Preferences and press Enter.
2. When the Mouse Preferences are opened, make sure the mouse is on and wait for it to be discovered. The "Connect" button should be blue, so you can press Enter to connect to it, and you're done.