Pointer Size Problem
Hello All,
I am running an M4 Mac Mini (OS 26.4.1) headless, using a
display emulator. I connect the M4 to a
2020 13-inch MacBook Pro (OS 26.3.1) via USB-C for use as a monitor. Works OK, except that I have no control over pointer size. I can control the fill and outline colors of the pointer. Any
suggestions for gaining control over size?
Cheers,
CEU2
Mac mini, macOS 26.4
Update to macOS 26.5, and (if available) update the headless display emulator (whatever that is) to current.
The problem is quite possibly the headless display emulator. Contact the vendor and ask them.
I”d usually use Apple Remote Desktop or the built-in Screen Sharing app here for remote access, and not a third-party option.
Headless Macs do have issues with the initial display size when booted headless. There are dongles which can help there, and this dongle might be what you are referencing as your display-size emulator. If so, maybe a different dongle?
Maybe test with a display and not an emulator?
go to Apple > System Settings... > Accessibility > Display > Pointer > Pointer Size
CEU2 wrote:
Yes, I did that, moved the slider left and right, no change
in pointer size.
Did you reboot since trying to change the size? Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.
NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take longer, up to 2 - 3 minutes as it's doing the following;
• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed
• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)
• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically
• Disables user-installed fonts
• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files
Note: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will assure a successful boot into Safe Mode.
CEU2 wrote:
Yes, I did that, moved the slider left and right, no change
in pointer size.
Hmm... We're using cheap-o USB Logitech M100 mice with our Mac mini's and have no problem adjusting the pointer size.
I am running an M4 Mac Mini (OS 26.4.1) headless, using a display emulator.
I think this might be your problem.
Maybe try changing the pointer size in the MacBook Pro's Settings.
CEU2 wrote:
Hello den.thed – Thanks for the additional thoughts. Changing pointer size from the MacBook Pro
System Settings works fine for the MacBook Pro display. The problem is when trying to change pointer
size from the System Settings on the Mac Mini when viewed by the MacBook Pro
display. If I remove the display
emulator, I lose the ability to control display resolution and I still have no
control over pointer size (it is very small).
I hope that makes sense.
Yes it does.
I think that your going to have a resolution and pointer issue no matter what you do with that setup.
Try testing the native Screen Sharing setup as suggested by MrHoffman.
Share the screen of another Mac - Apple Support
Then if that doesn’t help, you may want to reconsider that setup and use the Mac mini desktop as intended, with a display, keyboard and mouse.
I. guess you'll have to disengage screen sharing to boot into Safe Mode.
Regarding the pointer size with screen sharing you might try the Cursor Highlighter app which will let you put a circle of your color, size/diameter and width.
It's available at the App Store. I believe it's free. I don't know if it will come thu on screen sharing but it's great for keeping track of the cursor.
OT
Hello den.thed – Thanks for the additional thoughts. Changing pointer size from the MacBook Pro
System Settings works fine for the MacBook Pro display. The problem is when trying to change pointer
size from the System Settings on the Mac Mini when viewed by the MacBook Pro
display. If I remove the display
emulator, I lose the ability to control display resolution and I still have no
control over pointer size (it is very small).
I hope that makes sense.
Hello weeklycod – Not sure what “mouse decreades speed”
is. But, using the Mac Mini System Settings
> Mouse I did change the Tracking Speed, and under Advanced, I changed Pointer
Acceleration. They made no difference,
still no control over pointer size.
Cheers,
CEU2
Hello Old Toad, I thought of that, but could not find a way
to boot-up in Safe Mode when connected for screen sharing. The MacBook Pro never recognized the
connected Mac Mini in Safe Mode.
I did upgrade to OS 26.5 as suggested by MrHoffman, and worked
through the “Share the screen of another mac” document as suggested by den.thed;
but the problem remains.
Control of pointer size during screen sharing is a
continuing problem for Apple, at least in my experience.
Previously, I had an M1 Mac Mini (OS 13.7.8) with a headless
display emulator (Newer Tech HDMI 4K Display Emulator) connected via ethernet
to a 2012 27-inch iMac (OS 10.13.6). The
headless display resolution was set for 2560 x 1440. On that setup pointer size varied from small
(3 mm) then jumped to 9mm which could be incrementally increased further to
15mm. Three millimeter is too small and
15mm is too large, so 9mm was workable.
I was hoping that this idiosyncratic behavior had been
corrected with the advancing OSs, and the use of a more compatible platform for
the monitor, but it seems to be worse.
Cheers,
CEU2
Yes, I did that, moved the slider left and right, no change
in pointer size.
simply go to mouse decreades speed
Unable to control pointer size on Mac mini M4
