msomers

Q: Force Touch Trackpad input while typing

Apple claims that OS X ignores trackpad input while typing and has removed the option to enable this. However, I just purchased a 2015 15" Retina MacBook Pro with the Force Touch trackpad and it regularly takes input while typing and the cursor jumps all over the place - I've even watched the cursor move slowly across the screen as I type.

 

Has anyone else experienced this? Is there any way to fix it?

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.4)

Posted on Jul 26, 2015 9:07 AM

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Q: Force Touch Trackpad input while typing

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  • by Zeb Wells,

    Zeb Wells Zeb Wells Nov 10, 2015 12:40 AM in response to flynmoose
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 10, 2015 12:40 AM in response to flynmoose

    Also have this problem. I'm about ready to cover the top inch of my track pad with duct tape. I can't go on like this.

  • by Mark Volkmann,

    Mark Volkmann Mark Volkmann Nov 12, 2015 12:23 PM in response to msomers
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    Nov 12, 2015 12:23 PM in response to msomers

    I also have this problem. It's a real productivity killer! Apple needs to address this quickly!

  • by flynmoose,

    flynmoose flynmoose Nov 12, 2015 1:13 PM in response to flynmoose
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 12, 2015 1:13 PM in response to flynmoose

    Well - took mine in and had an Apple Genius look at it.  They ran some sort of hardware diagnostic that you can't get to as a consumer (a large image representing a trackpad appeared on the screen and he ran his finger all around on it - turning the screen from Grey to Green.   It checked out OK.

     

    I basically got the "see if you can document the problem better and bring it back" solution.   They did request I turn off SmoothCursor - which I use to adjust the acceleration profile between using as a laptop and when I'm in my Henge dock on a 32" monitor.  But the settings are stock when I'm not docked, so I'm doubtful.

     

    Doing some of my own troubleshooting.  It looks like the palm rejection works fine.  If my palm brushes the trackpad while typing the cursor doesn't move (and in fact the cursor bar disappears.  What it looks like might be happening is that the the finger tip rejection is not working while you are actively typing.  If I just type random letters with my left hand and then touch the trackpad with my right thumb, the cursor bar will move but the typing cursor location will stay put.   So not only is this a rejection issue but it looks like the "double tap" to relocate cursor is being activated when the erroneous movement happens.

     

    My suggestion is that everyone call/chat with support and reference this thread.  When I mentioned the thread to the chat agent, I got the canned "We have over 300 million devices out there and people often post to the community forums before they contact us" response. 

     

    The Apple Genius said the next steps would be to restore my laptop to stock (which I did by the way because the day I got it the FileVault boot sequence fell over and I had to do an internet restore) and then if it still did it (and I could show them it was doing it) they would replace the trackpad.

     

    If I hadn't needed more disk storage and memory for certain applications, I would have been perfectly happy with my perfectly working previous MBP...

  • by AB120120,

    AB120120 AB120120 Dec 4, 2015 4:26 AM in response to flynmoose
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 4, 2015 4:26 AM in response to flynmoose

    I've got the same problem, on a 2015 Macbook. I just chatted with Apple support and they admitted that "there is no way to disable the trackpad while you type". They just advised me to set the click pressure to firm. Needless to say that hasn't helped. So basically Apple removed the option to disable the trackpad because it was automatic, then forgot to make it automatic.

  • by alwayserin,

    alwayserin alwayserin Dec 7, 2015 9:21 AM in response to AB120120
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 7, 2015 9:21 AM in response to AB120120

    Same problem here, also on a MacBook Pro mid-2015, 15". I notice it while typing, but more than that, I notice it while entering recipient names on emails. Something about the gestures I make when tabbing to choose the top auto-fill option often scrolls down the list in the pop-up list of options, and then enters the wrong name, which has caused no end of problems.

  • by kennmac,

    kennmac kennmac Dec 8, 2015 12:49 PM in response to msomers
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 8, 2015 12:49 PM in response to msomers

    I'm having the same issue on a mid-2015 Macbook Pro.  I also own a late-2013 Macbook Pro on which I do not have this issue.  It's clearly a problem with the later models.

     

    It's infuriating that Apple is causing people to restore their laptops over this issue that is clearly a widespread problem.  Apple should not be asking to look at the hardware and they should not be asking people to restore.  They need to use the information here and figure out this generic software issue.

     

    - This issue has nothing to do with actually "clicking" the trackpad.  We are merely brushing it with the side of our hand while typing.

    - Under "Trackpad" settings, I have "tap to click" enabled.  Turning this off is not a solution.

  • by Sha_nz,

    Sha_nz Sha_nz Dec 9, 2015 4:20 AM in response to msomers
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 9, 2015 4:20 AM in response to msomers

    Same with me on my Macbook retina 13". Even bigger than this issue is the fact that Apple Support basically ignore these situations and even deny there exists such problems sometimes (despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary). They should at least acknowledge the issue and keep us updated on what they are doing about it (probably nothing until the next gen is released). I'm a long time loyal Apple user, but now with other platforms learning from Apple's intuitive and simplistic style of interface and range of Apps AND offering more solid support, Apple has now made it too difficult for me to justify such loyalty and paying the prices of my IPhone and my macbooks. Sadly, I think - like many others - this may be my last Apple purchase until the notoriously sparse and lame support has undergone a transformation. We don't like change much, but give us enough reason to...

  • by kennmac,

    kennmac kennmac Dec 10, 2015 8:46 AM in response to Sha_nz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 10, 2015 8:46 AM in response to Sha_nz

    If anyone calls or emails support about this issue, please make sure you reference this thread. 

     

    I made a short URL that you can give to the representative.  It will link directly to this thread:

    https://goo.gl/mCnjJk

  • by kennmac,

    kennmac kennmac Dec 16, 2015 10:45 AM in response to kennmac
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 16, 2015 10:45 AM in response to kennmac

    Who do we need to contact to get help with this issue?  Apple Support is asking people to jump through hoops unnecessarily when they troubleshoot this issue.  This includes sending the hardware out for inspection.

  • by anneof28days,

    anneof28days anneof28days Jan 13, 2016 2:25 PM in response to msomers
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 13, 2016 2:25 PM in response to msomers

    I'm having the same issue. After an hour of attempted troubleshooting, I was passed to a "Tier Two" advisor who told me I'm typing incorrectly and the only thing that should touch the keyboard is my fingertips and that the trackpad is always engaged and will response whenever brushed, even when typing.  I said it's a design flaw. The advisor told if I cannot correct my improper typing style I should get an external mouse and turn off the trackpad.  I had no problem with my 13". This is a new 15".  I did attach an external mouse so I can get some work done and I'm no longer spending half my time correcting trackpad errors, but this is unacceptable. And yes, obviously Apple is not admitting to an issue and instead is blaming the customer.

  • by jgk759,

    jgk759 jgk759 Jan 14, 2016 3:25 AM in response to msomers
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 14, 2016 3:25 AM in response to msomers

    I, too, am having this problem.  Started a couple months ago.  Real pain.  I tried all the solutions that I found on discussion forums like this but none have worked.  Very frustrating.  I have not opened the laptop to inspect the battery (it doesn't belong to me) but it appears to be a bit swollen (bottom of the case is bowed out some).  I disabled the trackpad and all bluetooth activity -- no luck.  Reset PRAM, changed several configuration settings for mouse and/or trackpad (too many to remember and list here).   None have worked.

  • by Phasma Nemo,

    Phasma Nemo Phasma Nemo Jan 14, 2016 8:05 AM in response to anneof28days
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jan 14, 2016 8:05 AM in response to anneof28days

    IIsn't that convenient? Lol

     

    why weren't my "bad thou skills" apparent on my 2013 MacBook Pro 15? Lol

  • by olivetheoil,

    olivetheoil olivetheoil Jan 19, 2016 10:55 AM in response to msomers
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 19, 2016 10:55 AM in response to msomers

    I too have had this problem with my mid-2015 MBP 15".  It makes me nuts.  Mostly I'm just linking to this thread so that in the event of a solution I will be in the know.

  • by dobes918,

    dobes918 dobes918 Jan 27, 2016 6:55 AM in response to msomers
    Level 4 (1,442 points)
    Notebooks
    Jan 27, 2016 6:55 AM in response to msomers

    I have this problem, too. I bought a 12" 2015 Macbook on New Year's Day and loved everything about it except the randomly skipping cursor, which sometimes even skipped right out of the app I was working in! Brought it to the Apple Store January 20 when I couldn't find a way to control the problem, and they replaced it with a new one immediately. New one is great - but the cursor still skips. I am not in the mood for returning and setting up a third one, when this seems to be a more prevalent problem than I expected. I tried typing with my hands held in the air like the old typing teachers used to try to get us to do, but the skipping persisted.

     

    A few minutes ago, I turned off 'tap to click' and since then the cursor hasn't skipped. I don't mind clicking instead of tapping if that stops this foolishness. I'm a little ADD to begin with, and the skipping cursor just crashes and burns my productivity!

     

    I wonder why the force touch trackpad has to be so wide! And if it does, why it can't manage to just ignore input while I'm actively typing! In every other way, I absolutely love this computer, which is a replacement for a 2011 11" Air with a full drive, worn keys, no retina screen -- and no skipping cursor!

  • by anneof28days,

    anneof28days anneof28days Jan 27, 2016 7:20 AM in response to dobes918
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 27, 2016 7:20 AM in response to dobes918

    Ugh!  Interesting that you are having problems with the 12" too.  I filled out an online product complaint, which you can find with a quick search. I'm hoping a lot of people report the problem. It's annoying that Apple is denying it's an issue. I was basically told to not allow my wrists to touch the...well, wrist rest. Ha.

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