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Why Does My Cursor Disappear on Mac? How to Get It Back
Updated 2026-10-23 · macOS 12 Monterey to macOS 26 Tahoe
Find it right now
Shake it
Move the mouse quickly back and forth. With Shake mouse pointer to locate on (it is by default), the pointer grows for a moment. More on shake to locate.
Check your other screens
With more than one display, the pointer may be on the other one. Keep moving toward the edge where your other display sits.
Move it to the Dock, or switch apps
Some people find the pointer reappears when they move it over the Dock, open Mission Control, or press Command-Tab.
Common causes
- A second display. “the cursor keeps disappearing from my external monitor and showing up on the laptop screen” (Apple Community). Check that your displays are arranged the way they sit on your desk: System Settings → Displays → Arrange.
- Full-screen apps and switching spaces. “My mouse will disappear every single time I go into a "fullscreen" state” (Apple Community).
- Screen sharing and remote control. Zoom annotation, Screen Sharing and remote-desktop apps can hide or replace the pointer while they're active (Zoom Community).
- It's there, you just can't see it. On a big, busy or high-resolution screen, a small black arrow blends in: “It is easy to loose track of ones cursor at 2560X1600” (MacRumors).
If the pointer stays gone after restarting the app, restart the Mac. If it still happens after that, Apple Support can help.
Stop losing it
The fix that sticks is a pointer you can't miss: bigger, and in a color that stands out from your apps. See change cursor size and change cursor color.
Questions
Why does my cursor keep disappearing on my Mac?
Usually it's on another display, hidden by a full-screen app, or blending into a busy background. Shake the mouse to make it grow, and check every screen.
How do I get my cursor back on a Mac?
Shake the mouse, move the pointer over the Dock, or press Command-Tab to switch apps.
Why does my cursor disappear on my external monitor?
It may have crossed to the other display. Check the arrangement in System Settings → Displays so the screens match where they sit on your desk.