Mouse cursor flickers when changing states using the Discrete GPU

Question

Mouse cursor flickers when changing states using the Discrete GPU

Hello.

I have a 16 inch MacBook pro with mac os Catalina. Whenever I'm using the dedicated graphic card, my mouse cursor flickers when changing from arrow to a hand over clickable links.

An example (not mine, but I experience the same thing): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao1ouApC2wk

I've been trying to solve this for over a week. The only solution I found doesn't work on Catalina. It has something to do with changing few parameters in certain "info.plist" file. Unfortunately, Apple doesn't let you dig in system files on Catalina even if you have system integrity protection disabled.

I have no idea what to do. But having this issue is extremely annoying on a computer that expensive. Web browsing, the most basic thing people do on a notebook, is a nightmare.

Btw, it only happens when using the dedicated GPU, on integrated inter GPU it's fine. So, I'm not sure if it's a software issue or the graphic card itself is at fault.

Thank you.

Posted on Mar 9, 2020 12:53 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

okalachev

Level 1

9 points

Mar 12, 2020 8:20 AM in response to Matěj Michálek

Experienced this issue even back in 2013. Since then, Apple didn't manage to solve this, after 7 years. Despite the fact this bug is extremely annoying.

The only thing I know, that it's now present on all AMD Radeon notebooks. On my old NVidia GeForce Macbook it was somehow fixed a couple of years ago.

I explored all the forums and blogs and there no solutions, except the "solution" with editing .plist-files (which is rather complicated and suboptimal), and disabling discrete graphic card with gfxCardStatus. Let me know if you know more!

Apple REALLY disappoints me with that.

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Answer 2

May 3, 2020 3:46 PM in response to Matěj Michálek

Hi, due to the coronavirus I cannot make it to Genius Bar, and I find out something interesting: If you use other device through SiderCar, which is in system preference, for example an iPad, this problem will disappear. And now, to avoid this problem, I simply connect my iPad as a second screen. This might be a temporary solution.

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Answer 3

May 6, 2020 12:13 PM in response to Matěj Michálek

I too am hiving this same exact issue on my new 16 MBP. Really wish there was some sort of fix. It's driving me insane. It goes away when I go to safe mode, then isn't there when I come back to normal but eventually shows up again.

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Answer 4

May 12, 2020 8:28 AM in response to MarvelousV

So I contacted apple and was put in touch with a technician. This was his reply lol...

So they came back and said this was expected behavior lol. The technician I have been talking to on the phone was dumbfounded on why they came back to him and said that - with no explanation. I asked him to reach back out to them and get clarification bc I know this isn't expected behavior lol.

I know it isn't intended behavior as I've had Macs for the past 15 years and never experienced it. My fiancé has last years 13 MBP (with the diff graphics card) and she's never had the issue. Frustrating that they are clearly trying to brush this under the rug.

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Answer 5

May 28, 2020 7:58 AM in response to linusmetelko

After going back and forth with them a few time, I finally got them to acknowledge that it was a bug and not expected behavior. He didn't give me any next steps and just told me to keep my computer updated and that a fix may be in an update sometime. I asked if they'd contact me again as a follow up and he said he wasn't sure lol.

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Answer 6

Mar 10, 2020 1:44 AM in response to Matěj Michálek

It's like the mouse cursor is teleporting 1-3 milimetrs when changing states.

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Answer 7

Mar 15, 2020 9:46 PM in response to Matěj Michálek

I have the same problem too and had no idea why would this happen. I would go to Genius Bar and check it out tomorrow. Hope everything will be fine.

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Answer 8

Apr 10, 2020 11:53 AM in response to Matěj Michálek

I have the same problem. Has anyone found a solution? Is this a bug or a defect?

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Answer 9

Apr 10, 2020 11:54 AM in response to MarvelousV

Hey. Did you find a solution?

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Answer 10

Apr 24, 2020 6:55 AM in response to MarvelousV

Hi, what did they tell you at the Genius bar? I wonder if it's GPU or display issue and needs to be repaired/replaced, or if it's software or driver problem.

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