How to get ‘one-touch search’ on the Logitech MX Master mouse (on a Mac)

After nearly 12 years using the amazing Logitech MX Revolution mouse, it finally began to die. Replacing it with the Logitech MX Master mouse, I found that it didn’t have one of my favourite features – ‘one touch search’. My solution will also work with the MX Master 2s and MX Master 3 mice – as well as other multi-button Logitech mice like the MX Anywhere 2.

How it used to work

Select some text, press the ‘One-touch search’ button, and you would get a search for the selected text in your favourite browser and search engine. I used that button dozens of times a day.

But in the Logitech Options software, there is no longer an option for this, and you get the anaemic ‘Lookup’ command or, worse, an option to do a spotlight search.

I searched high and low on the internet, but no one had come up with a solution, and Logitech are unaccountably dragging their feet on this issue. But by combining an Automator service with the Keyboard shortcut action in Logi Options, I’ve got a working solution!

Here’s the solution:

1. Create a ‘search selection’ service in Automator
2. Assign it a keyboard shortcut in System Preferences
3. Assign that keyboard shortcut to the button in Logi Options

First step – make a ‘search selected text service’ in Automator

1. Open Automator and make a New>Quick Action
2. Add a Run Shell Script action, and paste this into the shell script window: open "http://www.google.com/search?q=$(ruby -rcgi -e 'print CGI.escape $<.read.chomp')" Hat tip: Lri
3. Save the service

Next: assign a keyboard shortcut to the service in System Preferences

• Go to System Preferences>Keyboard>Services
• Find the new Service you created in the Automator steps above – it will be under the ‘Text’ heading
• Make a new keyboard shortcut for this Service – I used the rather complicated Ctrl+Cmd+Opt+Shift+F because I didn’t want it to clash with any other shortcuts and I won’t actually be typing it by hand.

Now you’re ready for the final step!

Add your shortcut as a ‘Keystroke Assignment’ in Logitech Options.

• Select the button you want to use
• Choose ‘Keystroke Assignment’ as the function of that button
• Add the keystroke you created in System Preferences

You’re done! Enjoy your upgraded MX Master mouse!