How do I customize buttons and gestures with Logi Options+ on the MX Master 3S?

by Jax Dalton · Published 29/10/2025 · Updated 30/10/2025

Applies to / Last updated
Logitech MX Master 3S • Logi Options+ (Windows/macOS) • Windows 10/11 • macOS 12+ • Last updated: 29 October 2025

Problem

You want the MX Master 3S to do more than point and scroll—things like one-touch app launching, tab switching, horizontal scroll, window management, or app-specific shortcuts. You’re unsure where to begin in Logi Options+, which buttons can be reassigned, or how to set different actions for different apps.

Solution

Install Logi Options+, select the MX Master 3S, and create a Global profile plus App-specific profiles. Reassign the side buttons, middle click, thumb wheel, and the gesture button (the palm button) to perform single actions or multi-step “Smart Actions.” Use presets for popular apps or map your own keystrokes to match your workflow on Windows or macOS.

Step-by-step instructions

1) Install and grant permissions

Install Logi Options+ and open it.
Select your MX Master 3S from the device list.
On Windows: if prompted, allow the Accessibility/Keyboard Input helper to run at startup.
On macOS: go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and grant Accessibility and Input Monitoring permissions for Options+ and its helper, then restart Options+.

2) Understand what you can customize

Top buttons: Left, right, and middle click (pressing the scroll wheel).
Thumb buttons: Back and Forward above the thumb rest.
Thumb wheel: Horizontal scroll by default; can be reassigned.
Gesture button: The low button under your thumb/palm. Hold it and move the mouse up/down/left/right to trigger four actions, plus a single press action.
SmartShift & Wheel mode shift: Auto-switch or manual toggle between ratchet and free-spin scrolling; can be bound to a button.

3) Create a Global profile

In Options+, open Buttons for the MX Master 3S.
Under Global, click a control (e.g., Back button) and choose an action: Keystroke, System, Navigation, Media, Smart Actions, or App/Website.
Repeat for Forward, Middle click, Thumb wheel (press or turn), and Gesture button (press and four directions).
Test each action to confirm it triggers correctly.

4) Add app-specific profiles (the real power)

In Options+, click Add app and choose an installed application (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Excel, Photoshop, Premiere, VS Code, Notion).
With that app selected in the sidebar, remap the same buttons to different actions.
- Examples:
  - Browser: Back/Forward = navigate, Gesture-Up = new tab, Gesture-Right = next tab, Thumb wheel = switch tabs.
  - Excel: Thumb wheel = horizontal scroll; Gesture-Up = Freeze Panes shortcut; Gesture-Left/Right = move sheets; Middle click = paste values.
  - Photoshop/Premiere: Thumb wheel = brush size/timeline zoom; Gesture-Up/Down = zoom in/out; Gesture-Left/Right = previous/next tool.
  - Code editors: Back/Forward = navigate history; Gesture-Up = terminal toggle; Middle click = multi-cursor.

5) Use Smart Actions (multi-step automations)

Choose Smart Actions when assigning a button.
Pick a template (e.g., “Join Meeting,” “Start Focus Session”) or create a Custom action.
Add steps: open an app/URL, insert text, send keystrokes, wait, then send more keystrokes.
Save and assign that Smart Action to a button or a gesture direction.

6) Tune scrolling and SmartShift behavior

Go to Point & Scroll in Options+.
Adjust Scroll Wheel Sensitivity and SmartShift threshold (how fast you spin to trigger free-spin).
Optionally map a button to Toggle Wheel Mode if you prefer manual control.

7) Sync and back up

Sign in to Options+ and enable Cloud backup/sync so your mappings follow you to other computers using the same account.

Optional methods or tools

Per-app presets: Options+ suggests mappings for common apps—use these as a starting point.
Third-party utilities (advanced users): Tools like PowerToys (Windows) or BetterTouchTool (macOS) can complement Options+ with window management or extra gestures.
USB-C charging while working: Keeps the mouse active while you experiment so it doesn’t enter sleep.

Best practices or tips

Keep a simple Global layout, then push complexity into app-specific profiles to avoid conflicts.
For reliability, map to native keystrokes your app already supports (e.g., Ctrl/Cmd shortcuts) rather than rare OS-level actions.
Reserve the gesture button for high-value, muscle-memory actions (window snap, mute/unmute, dictation, clipboard history, mission control).
Document your core mappings in a note, or save screenshots of your Options+ layout so you can rebuild quickly if needed.
If a mapping stops working, confirm the target app is focused, Options+ is running, and the OS permissions are still granted after updates.

Customizing the MX Master 3S turns it into a personal command center. Start with a Global layout that mirrors what you do everywhere—copy/paste tools, window management, tab navigation—then layer app-specific profiles so the same buttons morph into the right shortcuts at the right time. The gesture button effectively gives you five extra inputs (press + four directions), which is perfect for common tasks like new tab, screenshot, or toggling Do Not Disturb.

Smart Actions can streamline multi-step routines—launching your daily apps, arranging windows, or joining meetings with one press—while the thumb wheel excels at horizontal tasks like timeline scrubbing and spreadsheet navigation. Revisit your setup after a week of use: promote your most used actions to the easiest buttons, demote the rest, and keep the layout consistent across machines for effortless muscle memory.