Can I turn off blue arrow to indicate text cursor?

After upgrading to Sonoma in each text area this blue arrow appears (see attached image),

as if to indicate where the text cursor is.

Is there a way to turn it off?

I honestly don't need it


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Oct 5, 2023 3:48 AM

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Posted on Mar 8, 2024 10:58 AM

No, it's definitely Apple - a new feature in Sonoma OS. I've had the same version of Microsoft software on my Mac for a few years with no recent upgrade. But immediately upon upgrading the OS to Sonoma, the blue arrow appeared in all my software. Specifically my Adobe software such as Photoshop, in the text fields. Microsoft would not have the power to do this Apple OS wide. But Apple would. Anyway, it turns out not to be as big of a pain as I thought, because it's only when caps lock is on. That's why it's called caps lock indicator. But some of my work flow scenarios require caps lock to be on, and then this feature becomes extremely annoying. Not adding a simple way in System Settings to turn this feature off is very short-sighted and lame on Apple's part. Not only that, it's a stupid unnecessary feature.

48 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 8, 2024 10:58 AM in response to Ingrid from Los Altos

No, it's definitely Apple - a new feature in Sonoma OS. I've had the same version of Microsoft software on my Mac for a few years with no recent upgrade. But immediately upon upgrading the OS to Sonoma, the blue arrow appeared in all my software. Specifically my Adobe software such as Photoshop, in the text fields. Microsoft would not have the power to do this Apple OS wide. But Apple would. Anyway, it turns out not to be as big of a pain as I thought, because it's only when caps lock is on. That's why it's called caps lock indicator. But some of my work flow scenarios require caps lock to be on, and then this feature becomes extremely annoying. Not adding a simple way in System Settings to turn this feature off is very short-sighted and lame on Apple's part. Not only that, it's a stupid unnecessary feature.

Jun 11, 2024 8:37 AM in response to Robyee

Just got off of the with a senior advisor from Apple care- there is no way to turn it off. This was engineering decision that obviously is not well liked by what I can see, anyone. We all can tell that are caps lock is on we don't need a reminder. He logged my complaint and suggested I go to Apple.com/feedback and let them know. It amazes me that no one at Apple monitors this support community to keep their finger on the pulse. If you find this as ridiculous and annoying as I do please give Apple feedback.

Nov 15, 2023 8:57 AM in response to Robyee

So I discovered that if you activate caps lock on and then leave to go another window using three-finger-drag to switch to another screen and then coming back activates it, so to get it to go away you simply drag three fingers left or right to another window(ex. Main screen), turn caps lock off and then drag three fingers back to preferred screen and it goes away. It works for me at least 🤷‍♂️hope this helps 😎🙌

Mar 7, 2024 5:10 PM in response to Ingrid from Los Altos

You might be onto something there. No question I first started seeing it when I upgraded to Sonoma. However, now that you mention it, I believe that I mostly see it when I'm running Windows in a Parallels Desktop simulation. Not entirely however, because if I turn the caps-lock on now, it appears right under my cursor!! (and I don't have Parallels Desktop or any Microsoft Mac software running right now.) If I open a new Pages document and hit caps-lock, the blue arrow appears. But maybe there is some connection to permissions I've granted for when I am running a Microsoft program??

May 15, 2024 3:01 PM in response to maxsiphotos

“PROBLEM SOLVED!”


I called Apple support and we figured out how to fix this. My guess is, you all are using the Apple magic keyboard. If not, perhaps this also applies to a MacBook, etc.


Here’s how to fix it:


Go to: ACCESSIBILITY

GO to: KEYBOARDS

Go to: FULL KEYBOARD

Toggle on: FULL KEYBOARD ACCESS


It may be necessary for you to remove your iPad from the keyboard, tap the CAPS LOCK button and return it to the keyboard.


*(you might try this as your first step so you can actually see the results before the above steps)


If you find success with the above steps, I did, then please hit the UP arrow or mark this as a BEST ANSWER.


🙏 Max Berkowitz

Oct 21, 2023 8:31 AM in response to Robyee

This is the worst auto ads feature I’ve ever experienced. I’m spending considerable time hitting the stupid caps lock key twice to turn it on or off, and I can’t space or do much if caps lock is engaged, as indicated by the ridiculous blue arrow.


Why would anyone add this? I can’t turn it off without turning off the caps lock key? How in the absolute frickity frick am I supposed to type properly with that sort of insane requirement forcefully added by the update?


it essentially breaks TextEdit for any work I’m doing as I admittedly don’t have the patience to keep messing with it. Thanks Apple!

May 15, 2024 2:08 PM in response to Robyee

“PROBLEM SOLVED!”


I called Apple support and we figured out how to fix this. My guess is, you all are using the Apple magic keyboard. Here’s how to fix it:


Go to: ACCESSIBILITY

GO to: KEYBOARDS

Go to: FULL KEYBOARD

Toggle on: FULL KEYBOARD ACCESS


It may be necessary for you to remove your iPad from the keyboard, tap the CAPS LOCK button and return it to the keyboard.


*(you might try this as your first step so you can actually see the results before the above steps)


If you find success with the above steps, I did, then please hit the UP arrow or mark this as a BEST ANSWER.


🙏 Max Berkowitz




Oct 31, 2023 5:03 PM in response to callaway

My Caps Lock is NOT on. This annoying blue arrow has to go. Pops up randomly and stays on the screen, covering up text until I point my cursor on it and click it, then it disappears and does not bring any pop up on when clicked... so what is its purpose to begin with? Some say it only comes on when the Caps Lock is on... but this keeps popping up when it is off.



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Can I turn off blue arrow to indicate text cursor?

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