How To Modify Trackpad Drag-Lock Release Time?

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How To Modify Trackpad Drag-Lock Release Time?

When I use the trackpad to drag using the tap sequence down-up-down-drag-delay-up, I've discovered that the delay time is around 1.5 seconds, which I feel is much too long. Coming from Windows to develop for iPhone, I've used a lot of PC laptops and all of them had a much shorter delay, which I've found works great. The Mac's 1.5 second delay causes me to frequently drag where I didn't intend to because the drag doesn't release when I expected it to. Is there a terminal command that adjusts this delay time?

Macbook Air 2

Posted on Feb 9, 2011 11:21 PM

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Answer 1

PaulSlocum Author

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Feb 9, 2011 11:47 PM in response to PaulSlocum

I noticed the other long thread of drag lock complaints. I've read a few pages of the thread and it's kinda hard to tell if it's the same thing I'm experiencing or a separate bug that was introduced in an OS update a while back. I've only owned this Macbook a few days, so MacOS 10.6.6 is all I've used.

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Answer 2

PaulSlocum Author

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Feb 10, 2011 5:22 AM in response to PaulSlocum

Actually, as I think about it, my mouse action had the last two actions transposed (which I had copied with its error from another thread): it's down-up-down-drag-up-delay (...then down for next mouse action)

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Answer 3

PaulSlocum Author

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Feb 10, 2011 8:51 AM in response to PaulSlocum

I found this software which is discontinued, but allowed you to change the release time:
http://www.ragingmenace.com/software/sidetrack/

I emailed the author and he said there is not a terminal command to change the drag release time, and that the only way to change this behavior is to replace the driver. Since his software is discontinued "due to both technical and intellectual property issues", there seems to be no solution to this issue.

Apple, if you are reading this, I want to point out that it is in your best interest to keep happy the many Windows power users coming over to Mac to develop or do other work. The long drag-release time forces Windows users to use the trackpad slower than they are used to, which definitely makes for a very poor user experience when using drag-heavy software. A terminal-accessible system preference for the drag time setting would be greatly appreciated.

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Answer 4

vkas

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Feb 11, 2011 12:05 AM in response to PaulSlocum

Yes, I too migrated from windows based laptop. I also think this long delay before your tap-drag releases is more of a problem than help. I believe it should be adjustable (this should be no problem to implement, I believe). Hopefully, this is included in OS X Lion...

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Answer 5

raealex

Level 1

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Feb 19, 2011 4:04 AM in response to vkas

I absolutely agree that the trackpad drag-release time is far, far too long. This makes the tap-drag nearly unusable for me -- many times I've found that I've dragged something all the way across the screen, even copied files around accidentally, without intending to.

I'm not actually sure what the rationale is for having any delay, other than whatever (tiny) latency the trackpad itself has. Surely lifting one's finger off the trackpad is a fairly unambiguous gesture? Perhaps I'm missing something about the type of gesture it is expecting?

At at the very least this should be customizable (at the very very least, for those who would go looking for a terminal command, if not in the main system preferences gui). Very disappointed to hear that this doesn't seem possible. I wish I had something to add other than my complaint!

Actually, I can add one not-very-helpful bit of info -- I'm using a little macbook pro, bought close to 2 years ago, which ran Leopard until I installed SnowLeopard a few months ago. This trackpad behavior has been consistent (as far as I can tell).

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Answer 6

howiem

Level 1

8 points

Sep 21, 2011 7:40 AM in response to PaulSlocum

BUMP

This delay drives me up the wall. It's incredibly frustrating, and what makes it worse is that it's obviously a conscious decision by Apple - it's there for a reason.

So my (and our) complaints will largely fall on deaf ears I reckon.

Don't know where to report this, but it sours me toward Apple products. Not enough to make me stop buying Apple, mind, but it's the first time I've really felt Apple's idea of progress has actually slowed me down and cost me time. Daily. (Oh, ok, leaving FCP X out the argument) A feature that you don't want but can't turn off is ... well... a bug, surely?

God, it's like having a sticky key on a piano. Seems minor, but it trips you up

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Answer 7

JoeyR

Level 6

8,305 points

Sep 21, 2011 8:16 AM in response to howiem

I can add a "why" the trackpad usage exhibits this behavior... The idea is that if you are dragging something across the screen and come to the edge of your trackpad, you can actually lift your finger from the trackpad and then reselect the same item you were moving in that brief time before it unselects. This lets you continue the movement you had started. If you have the forethought, and with proper acceleration, you should be able to move any item on the screen to any other location on the screen... but there are lots of people who just select an item without thinking about their location on the trackpad and they end up accidentally dragging things to wrong folders, etc.

I agree there should be a way to adjust it. Apple has a habit of making little decisions like this. Their philosophy often seems to be the fewer ways you can adjust things the better.

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Answer 8

Hanlar

Level 1

0 points

Oct 4, 2013 1:02 PM in response to PaulSlocum

Dear Apple, please remove the option 'without drag lock' from the menus or at least rename it to '1,5 seconds of drag lock'...

The touchpad is almost useless without the ability to fine tune the drag lock release. Please please please fix this... Give us an option to adjust it so that we can stay happy. This is the only annoyance there is about my MBP.

Guys.. Please reply here if you ever come up with a solution to this.. I was expecting a reg fix like you but ****!

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