MacBook Air M3 trackpad cursor lags after 26.5 update

Rowleysghost wrote:

thank you Owl, and Luis for your help so far. I think what's left is to use etrecheck like Luis suggested before finally giving up. I really appreciate the time put out in trying to assist.

any guides to go about the scan on etrecheck?

Download the Application Etrecheck  ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.

This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.

It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer 

The application is free or paid for added features. 

The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 

Post back the Full Report - Share Report >> Copy , then  paste  >>>> using the Additional Text Icon  <<<<

So far two people, including yourself, have reported this problem. There are many millions of Mac users running Tahoe. If this were a common issue, we'd have heard about it, and loudly too.

I suggest this is not a wide OS problem, but something peculiar to the user's installation; probably some third party driver or extension that is not playing nice with the current OS version.

Please run Etrecheck and post its full report here. Use the "additional text" button and paste the report into the text box.

Maybe we can find something in the report.

Rowleysghost wrote:

You know what’s infuriating, I just erased all content and settings and it still didn’t work. I didn’t wait 2-3 hours before restoring my backup from Time Machine

A new update has been released (26.5.1). I'm gonna update to it and check it out.

PS : After updating to it , Trackpad issue seems to be fixed for now . Lets see after few hours if the issue comes back or not

Rowleysghost wrote:

How do I boot in safe mode

Shutdown your Mac.

Press and HOLD the power button until a screen with options appear.

Hold down the SHIFT key and click on the system drive. Your Mac will start from that drive, in Safe Mode (the words "Safe Boot" may appear temporarily at the top right).

Try testing by starting your Mac in Safe Mode. Does it also start to lag at around the same time, or not?

Mine is M2 macbook air, I have the same issue since I updated to 26.5. I have contacted apple support and did everything support advisor stated and also things I found in forums . I even fully resetted the mac and even reinstalled macos from recovery. Everytime after restarting the mac trackpad works properly for 5-6 mins and then start to lag. When using a mouse, the issue dissapears.

Only thing we can do is just wait for the new update I think.

If the user ( @ Rowleysghost ) believes this current issues is systemic and specific to macOS 26.5 Tahoe.

For a thorough test of both Tahoe 26.5 / Hardware and to  determine the root cause of this computer issue.

Use the “Atomic” option and select “Erase All Content and Settings.” Apple Silicon computer

Use the Erase All Content and Settings feature to quickly and securely erase all settings, data, and apps, while maintaining the operating system currently installed.

Always make a Time Machine backup before proceeding.

Run the computer without installing any additional software and without restoring from your Time Machine backups.

Run the computer in this condition for approximately 2 to 3 hours under a normal work flow

Then report back if the Trackpad issue reoccur.

nipun-yatawara wrote:

nipun-yatawara wrote:

Rowleysghost wrote:

You know what’s infuriating, I just erased all content and settings and it still didn’t work. I didn’t wait 2-3 hours before restoring my backup from Time Machine

A new update has been released (26.5.1). I'm gonna update to it and check it out.

PS : After updating to it , Trackpad issue seems to be fixed for now . Lets see after few hours if the issue comes back or not

The issue is back again. Don't bother updating

I'm sorry your are both experiencing this vexing issue, but waiting for an update to fix it is unlikely to help.

If this were a general bug in the OS, we'd have had a huge outcry. For most users, the trackpad is working as it always has.

Previously you said you erased all content AND then migrated everything from Time Machine: this got you back to where you started, negating any possible effects from the erasing. Whatever bad software was causing the problem, it was reinstated.

For the past week I strictly used a mouse instead of the trackpad cause I was fed up with it. Yersterday I forgot to bring the mouse to uni and I had to use the trackpad. I don't know how but the trackpad issue has been magically fixed. It worked with no laggynes , no issue or anything. I used an opensource software called linearmouse to change stuff (pointer acceleration and some other settings) of the mouse, on my mac. Maybe something in that software fixed it, idk. If you can, try using your mouse couple of days with that software (https://github.com/linearmouse/linearmouse), maybe it'll fix the issue.

PS : I wouldn't have believed if I had the issue if I hadn't taken a recording from my phone to send it to the place that I bought my mac.

nipun-yatawara wrote:

Rowleysghost wrote:

You know what’s infuriating, I just erased all content and settings and it still didn’t work. I didn’t wait 2-3 hours before restoring my backup from Time Machine

A new update has been released (26.5.1). I'm gonna update to it and check it out.

PS : After updating to it , Trackpad issue seems to be fixed for now . Lets see after few hours if the issue comes back or not

The issue is back again. Don't bother updating

Yh I feel you man. I erased everything the first time and then I even reinstalled macos. I don't know what to do anymore. For a few days I thought it was fixed but issue came back again after few days. It feels like you and me were chosen to suffer or something. :(

Rowleysghost wrote:

You know what’s infuriating, I just erased all content and settings and it still didn’t work. I didn’t wait 2-3 hours before restoring my backup from Time Machine

There are those that comprehend specifically instruction and understand why they are laid out in a certain order

There has been sufficient advice offered for the User ( you ) to make an informed and educated choice what remedial actions are  required for this computer.

The suggestions have been put forth on a volunteer basis, in good faith and in the best interests of the computer

Which do not always align with the users’ expectations 

Luis Sequeira1 wrote:

nipun-yatawara wrote:

nipun-yatawara wrote:

Rowleysghost wrote:

You know what’s infuriating, I just erased all content and settings and it still didn’t work. I didn’t wait 2-3 hours before restoring my backup from Time Machine

A new update has been released (26.5.1). I'm gonna update to it and check it out.

PS : After updating to it , Trackpad issue seems to be fixed for now . Lets see after few hours if the issue comes back or not

The issue is back again. Don't bother updating

I'm sorry your are both experiencing this vexing issue, but waiting for an update to fix it is unlikely to help.

If this were a general bug in the OS, we'd have had a huge outcry. For most users, the trackpad is working as it always has.

Previously you said you erased all content AND then migrated everything from Time Machine: this got you back to where you started, negating any possible effects from the erasing. Whatever bad software was causing the problem, it was reinstated.

Thats not me its @rowleysghost who did the backup. I fully erased my mac and even reinstalled macos from scratch. I didn't do backups . Yet the issue is still there.

nipun-yatawara wrote:

Luis Sequeira1 wrote:

nipun-yatawara wrote:

nipun-yatawara wrote:

Rowleysghost wrote:

You know what’s infuriating, I just erased all content and settings and it still didn’t work. I didn’t wait 2-3 hours before restoring my backup from Time Machine

A new update has been released (26.5.1). I'm gonna update to it and check it out.

PS : After updating to it , Trackpad issue seems to be fixed for now . Lets see after few hours if the issue comes back or not

The issue is back again. Don't bother updating

I'm sorry your are both experiencing this vexing issue, but waiting for an update to fix it is unlikely to help.

If this were a general bug in the OS, we'd have had a huge outcry. For most users, the trackpad is working as it always has.

Previously you said you erased all content AND then migrated everything from Time Machine: this got you back to where you started, negating any possible effects from the erasing. Whatever bad software was causing the problem, it was reinstated.

Thats not me its @rowleysghost who did the backup. I fully erased my mac and even reinstalled macos from scratch. I didn't do backups . Yet the issue is still there.

Well, on my 13 ' M5 MBA and M4 15" MBA each having used various versions of macOS 26 Tahoe including Tahoe macOS 26.5.1 ( 25F80 )

The Builtin Trackpad of each of the two machines works as it is designed to work

In yours and OP's case

This is really shaping up to a rather localized and unique issue specific to the computers setups