Cursor Drag Lock

Question

Level 1

16 points

Cursor Drag Lock

I've just upgraded from a 10+ y/o MacBook Air, which didn't have this problem.

Here's the method I'm used to using: You have your thumb resting on the trackpad as you scroll with your pointer finger. When you want to grab and drag a window, you depress your thumb and move it with your pointer, then you release your thumb when you're done and the window stops dragging.

On the new computer/ OS, you need to break contact with the trackpad with your pointer, even after releasing your thumb, or you end up continuing to randomly drag your windows around. This bug messes with workflow quite a bit, as you may not take enough pressure off and accidentally keep dragging. Why require additional work to stop doing something, anyway? Is there a fix yet?

MacBook Air 15″

Posted on Nov 25, 2024 7:51 AM

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Answer 1

dialabrain

Level 10

136,355 points

Dec 2, 2024 10:14 PM in response to tokyodcj

FWIW, the current behavior of the Trackpad in Sequoia, including Drag Lock, is explained on this page…

Change Pointer Control settings for accessibility on Mac - Apple Support (BN) as I posted before. I doubt it will change.

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Answer 2

dialabrain

Level 10

136,355 points

Nov 25, 2024 8:18 AM in response to bligh82

You're welcome btw. Normally I would have already said that. :)

This may be what you're looking for…

Change Pointer Control settings for accessibility on Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 3

dialabrain

Level 10

136,355 points

Nov 25, 2024 8:14 AM in response to bligh82

Well, seeing I've never used it I can't say it's more maneuverable. I don't see a "drag lock" setting in Sequoia.

Feel free to send Apple feedback.

Feedback - macOS - Apple

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Answer 4

tokyodcj

Level 1

12 points

Dec 2, 2024 9:57 PM in response to bligh82

bligh82, I agree. I bought a new MacBook Pro M4. After migrating everything from my older MacBook Air, I discovered this "bug". So Irritating. I called Apple Support and was told to send in the computer and they would send me a new one. This was after explaining the situation pretty much exactly like you did above. I even had the support person watch my screen as I was explaining what was happening. Apparently they did not understand what I was trying to tell them, because 3 weeks later I got a new MacBook Pro and found that it behaves the same way. I have now submitted feedback using the link given by dialabrain in this thread.

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Answer 5

dialabrain

Level 10

136,355 points

Nov 25, 2024 8:04 AM in response to bligh82

FWIW, all I have to do to drag a window is place the cursor on the title bar of the window and lightly press down on the trackpad and drag.

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Answer 6

bligh82 Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 25, 2024 8:09 AM in response to dialabrain

Thanks for the response. The reason I like the "depress thumb to grab, release thumb to release" method is it allows for more maneuverability with the pointer when you drag the window around. Many people prefer it –– enough people, I'd say, to have it be a readily available option for users.

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Answer 7

bligh82 Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 25, 2024 8:35 AM in response to dialabrain

I'm inclined to make a video demonstrating what's wrong with the newer mechanics.

The thumb depress, thumb release method is deliberate and unambiguous. As long as you're holding your thumb down, you know that a movement on the trackpad will move the window, whether you take your pointer off or not, and when you lift your thumb, you know that you're no longer dragging the window, regardless of what else is going on.

With the "new" method, there are lots of chances for unintentional actions. Stevie Jobs is rolling in his grave.

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Answer 8

dialabrain

Level 10

136,355 points

Nov 25, 2024 8:39 AM in response to bligh82

bligh82 wrote:

Stevie Jobs is rolling in his grave.

Doubtful. As I mentioned, feel free to send Apple feedback.

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