How to turn off the auto-appearing services menu after highlighted text in BigSur

These are called "Data Detectors".

Check this support document, where it says that in "some" applications you can turn them off.

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/detect-dates-contacts-documents-mac-mh35744/mac

In what application are you doing this?

nrussell wrote:

Hi,

Does anyone know a way to turn off the services menu that auto-appears after you highlight text in BigSur (see image). I have one machine running BigSur where this menu never appears, and one where it always appears. The problem is that anytime you accidentally click it in a web browser, it forces the page to reload, and you lose any unsaved data. It's infuriating. I can't find any information anywhere about how to disable it.

Thanks!

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/efa5d5ca-9985-48b7-a393-dbfe6e06f5d7

You do not say what exact Mac this is ... a notebook I would recommend making changes to your trackpad preferences if that is your issue:

How to use the Force Touch trackpad - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204352

Use Multi-Touch gestures on your Mac - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204895

Change Mouse & Trackpad preferences for accessibility on Mac

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-mouse-trackpad-preferences-unac899/mac

Change how your trackpad works with Mac - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-the-way-your-trackpad-works-mchlp1226/mac

Turn on "three finger drag" for your Force Touch trackpad - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204609