Can't get past "no mouse" screen in macOS Recovery mode

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Can't get past "no mouse" screen in macOS Recovery mode

Hi there,

this may be a strange problem to have, but since the latest macOS Big Sur (11.3) update, I can't get rid of the "no mouse" screen in the macOS Recovery Mode (using a M1 Mac mini).

Unfortunately, it's not easily possible to connect a mouse to the device, since I'm using it remotely using an external KVM device. This means that an external mouse device is connected, which sends absolute positions instead of relative positions (think digital drawing pad).

While the mouse does work in recovery mode (I am able to move it around and click the restart option in the menu), it seems like the OS is not recognizing the device as a mouse and therefore not allowing me to bypass the screen. I have attached a screenshot showing the mouse cursor on the screen:

In earlier versions, clicking the mouse was enough to get rid of this screen and continue using it, but this seems to no longer work.

Is there any way to bypass or avoid this screen without attaching an external mouse to the device?

Thank you for your help!

Posted on May 1, 2021 12:18 PM

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Answer 1

Geexor Author

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May 1, 2021 12:34 PM in response to jeffreythefrog

I appreciate the help, but please read my question again. I can't physically access the device, so I'm limited to software solutions. I'm hoping there is a special key combination or something I can press to go past this screen, since both my input devices are properly working, it's just that macOS thinks it doesn't like it. As I said, it all worked fine with macOS 11.2.

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Answer 2

May 1, 2021 12:24 PM in response to Geexor

that image is not the "no mouse" image. it is the "no keyboard" image. you can try turning the keyboard off and then on again using the power switch on the keyboard and see if that clears up your issue.

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Answer 3

Geexor Author

Level 1

9 points

May 1, 2021 12:26 PM in response to jeffreythefrog

Thanks for the quick reply, but it is indeed the "no mouse" screen. It currently shows the magic trackpad and it cycles through every few seconds. This is the second image shown right after:

But just in case, the keyboard is also connected through KVM and I haven't had issues with it in the past.

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Answer 4

May 1, 2021 12:30 PM in response to Geexor

yep. the new image you showed IS the no mouse screen. is it an apple magic mouse? if yes, you can try turning it off and back on again using the power switch on the mouse. there have been times i needed to do that if booting into my external big sur SSD.

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Can't get past "no mouse" screen in macOS Recovery mode

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