Anton Rang
Level 1 (77 points)
Desktops

Q: Clicking in a window brings it to front, does not always transfer focus

Since upgrading to El Capitan (and moving to a Retina 5K iMac, though I think that is less likely to be a factor), I’m noticing a lot of cases where clicking the trackpad brings a window to the front, but doesn’t give it focus. This seems to happen most often with Safari, but also with Terminal, and I think I’ve had it happen with BBEdit. The issue is quite obvious when it does happen in Safari — the window doesn’t get the foreground highlight (the grey gradient in the title bar), using command-L to move to the URL occurs in the previously-selected window, and general typing goes into the wrong window.

 

I’ve got the new Magic Trackpad, but I don’t think that should matter — I’m definitely not force-clicking, and there isn’t any gesture so far as I know which would bring a window to the front without giving it focus.

 

Is anyone else seeing this?  I don’t think I have any system extensions or utility software installed which would affect this, but I did migrate from an older system, so it’s possible that something slipped through.

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.1), 4 GHz i7, 32 GB, dual monitor

Posted on Nov 24, 2015 8:40 AM

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Anton Rang

Q: Clicking in a window brings it to front, does not always transfer focus

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  • by alex_h1,

    alex_h1 alex_h1 Nov 25, 2015 2:15 PM in response to Anton Rang
    Community Specialists
    Nov 25, 2015 2:15 PM in response to Anton Rang

    Hello Anton Rang,

    Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

     

    I understand from your post that you're unable to bring a window into main focus when selecting with your trackpad.  To start troubleshooting this issue I''d like you to please start the computer in safe mode and try to replicate the issue.  If you're unable to replicate it, then restart normally and try again.

     

    What is safe mode?

    Safe mode (sometimes called safe boot) is a way to start up your Mac so that it performs certain checks, and prevents some software from automatically loading or opening. Starting your Mac in safe mode does the following:

    • Verifies your startup disk, and attempts to repair directory issues if needed
    • Loads only required kernel extensions
    • Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically
    • Disables user-installed fonts 
    • Deletes font caches, Kernel cache and other system cache files

    Together, these changes can help resolve or isolate issues related to your startup disk. 

    Starting up in safe mode

    Follow these steps to start up into safe mode.

    1. Start or restart your Mac. 
    2. Immediately after you hear the startup sound, press and hold the Shift key.
    3. Release the Shift key when you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.

    After the Apple logo appears, it might take longer than usual to reach the login screen or your desktop. This is because your Mac performs a directory check of your startup disk as part of safe mode.

    To leave safe mode, restart your computer without pressing any keys during startup.

    Try safe mode if your Mac doesn‘t finish starting up

     

     

    Take care.

  • by dbutlerman,

    dbutlerman dbutlerman Jan 5, 2016 10:34 AM in response to Anton Rang
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 5, 2016 10:34 AM in response to Anton Rang

    Did Safe Mode fix your issue?

  • by danyay,

    danyay danyay Jan 15, 2016 8:45 AM in response to Anton Rang
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 15, 2016 8:45 AM in response to Anton Rang

    I have this issue too, and I do believe it's related to the Magic Trackpad 2.

     

    I don't see how in the world Safe Mode would fix anything.

  • by MrHammond,

    MrHammond MrHammond Jan 16, 2016 7:37 AM in response to Anton Rang
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 16, 2016 7:37 AM in response to Anton Rang

    I don't believe it's related to the Magic Trackpad 2, here also the same issue, but with the old Magic Trackpad, and the old iMac 5K...

    Also, many times the windows don't come to the front and don't get activated, which can be very frustrating... I also got a lot of problems with drag and drop, especially when using Mission Control or cmd-Tab to switch between applications, very frustrating. I tried checking Macintosh HD, SMC reset, PRAM reset and booting in Safe Mode, nothing fixed the issue... I only wondered if there might be a conflict with Wacom drivers...

  • by theet2,

    theet2 theet2 Jan 17, 2016 12:18 AM in response to Anton Rang
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 17, 2016 12:18 AM in response to Anton Rang

    Hi, may be it is not caused by focus switching. I found that is left click issue on my Magic mouse. But when I click long time, the click will happen. I hing that is some El Capitan's last update bug....

  • by Daghis,

    Daghis Daghis Apr 6, 2016 12:23 PM in response to Anton Rang
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 6, 2016 12:23 PM in response to Anton Rang

    As I commented in this similar issue's thread, I have the same problem. I didn't have the issue with the original Magic Trackpad, but it definitely occurs (somewhat frequently) with the Magic Trackpad 2.

  • by yrchern,

    yrchern yrchern Sep 1, 2016 10:19 PM in response to Anton Rang
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 1, 2016 10:19 PM in response to Anton Rang

    This is bothering me as well. I have this problem on both my old MBP mid 2012 (non-retina) and MBP mid 2015 (15").