A red square around the cursor.

Hi RevanSID,

Thanks for uploading a picture, that makes it a lot easier to understand your exact issue (Which is quite unusual)!

What I would recommend to start with is trying a little further isolation.

I understand you have already tested the issue in windows and it was apparent there.

I would recommend trying to test the issue in a new user account (if you don't already have one, I would recommend setting up another user for the purposes of testing). This will help determine on what level of the software the issue lies (If not apparent on another user we know its likely to be within the user directory, if it happens in another user, its likely in the system directory).

I would also recommend to try starting the Mac up into safe mode, because this will only allow root kernel operations to load upon startup, and it will help determine whether there could be a conflict with any of the startup processes or applications.

Let me know how you go with those isolation tests!

Wow, you certainly have tried a lot...

But thank you for that extra information. I would certainly call you an Advanced user given you have already tried just about every form of normal troubleshooting. Because you are still experiencing the same issue even after a clean reinstall of macOS, it would certainly indicate either an issue in the root level software that is yet to be 'ironed out,' or potentially a hardware issue (or both).

My only further recommendation would be to call AppleCare directly (especially as you were only given a template response from chat support), and ask to speak with a Senior Advisor, as they may be able to take samples of the processes running within the dock, and may even able to escalate further if they think its necessary. Also they will be able to explore every possible option available to you in terms of servicing (if thats necessary), because much like you, I don't think I could go without my Mac for that long either!

The number for AppleCare in Russia is - 8 800 555 6734.

Sorry I can't be of much more help, but wish you all the best!

In that case I am confused. You wrote that you performed a "clean reinstallation of the system". Does that mean that you used "CleanMyMac" to "clean" your system? If not, what exactly do you mean by "clean reinstallation"? If so, what did you expect "CleanMyMac" to accomplish?

Apple does not use that terminology which leads to frequent misunderstandings. If you want to erase and install macOS, then follow Apple's instructions to erase and install macOS, and determine if the problems persist. Do not use "cleaning" products for any purpose whatsoever. They are all scams. If you expect your Mac to work properly do not use them or any similarly categorized product.

RevanSID wrote:

CleanMyMac bar.

CleanMyMac is practically malware. It has brought many Mac systems to their knees. No "cleaning" apps are needed or recommended in Mac OS and CMM is one of the worst. Uninstall it as per the developers instructions.

Same problem and same hardware here. MBP2016, 15", 2,7GHZ.

I noticed that behaviour a few weeks ago (feels like March or April).

The red square usually starts appearing randomly by clicking Icons in the Dock, but is not limited to the Dock. I notice it as well, when moving some applications (especially MS Office) around the Desktop.

The appearence does not start immediately after a reboot of the MBP but after a few hours of use, sometimes at the next day and seems to appear more frequently over time, up to the next reboot.

Next to the annoying effect, I could not observe additional negative impact.

I could not tie the effect to the use of a particular software either.

First I believed, that stuff like VMWare Fusion or Microsofts RDP-Client could be responsible for that, but I just got the effect a few hours after a reboot without using that software in the meantime. I usually use multiple external Displays, but I can either confirm nor deny if the effect is tied to that.

I did not try a clean reinstall of the OS up to now, but I had the MBP brought in for service to replace the keyboard, and the Apple-Partner tried to recreate the "Red-Square-Condition" by using an external drive to boot from, but without luck.

Maybe we can bundle our efforts to find the root cause of this effect.

It annoys me to have such a high priced product dealing with such an irritating effect.

My MBP was purchased in December, but I noticed the behaviour at around March, I think. Are you using external displays as well? It feels like, when the red squares appear and I'm un-/plugging all adapters, the effect seems to be gone for a while.

Doesn't seem to be related to an external monitor or heat.

It happened again right after waking the MBP from a few hours sleep and highest temp was 108F (Radeon GPU Die). Was not connected to an external monitor.

Hi, its hard to reproduce the problem. My guts say, that it might be possibly connected to stuff that might be in MS Office. It feels like the problem is very present with MS Office applications. I sometimes use Outlook and the RDP-Client from MS and it feels like the problem gets worse and appears more frequently when MS-Apps are running. Does anyone have the same experience?

What is this please (circled)?

I have this problem too and notice it more when working with Office products (Word/Excel).

15" MBP 2016 with TouchBar (2.7GHz)

BTW, I do not use CleanMyMac

Mine was purchased late March 2017