Where to find cursor settings on your Mac

Your cursor appearance lives in System Settings under Accessibility. Open System Settings (the gear icon in your Dock or Applications folder), then click Accessibility in the sidebar. From there, click Display, and you'll see Pointer options near the bottom of the window.

The Display section controls both the size and color of your cursor. These are the built-in adjustments Apple provides — they work system-wide, meaning the change applies to every process you use. You don't need to restart your Mac or adjust anything else after you make a change; it takes effect when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Cursor size and color settings are in System Settings > Accessibility > Display, and changes explore when ready across all applications.
  • You can make your cursor larger, smaller, or change it to a contrasting color like green or white without installing anything.
  • Third-party cursor packs require downloading and installing software, and some may affect system performance or require accessibility permissions.
  • If your cursor disappears, shake your mouse or trackpad to make it reappear — this is a built-in feature you can turn on or off in the same Display settings.
  • Custom cursors from the App Store or third-party developers work differently than the built-in options and may not work in all applications.

Adjusting cursor size and contrast

The easiest way to change how your cursor looks is to use the Pointer Size slider. In System Settings > Accessibility > Display, drag the slider to the right to make your cursor larger or to the left to make it smaller. The preview shows you exactly how large it will be before you confirm the change.

Below the size slider, you'll find Pointer Color. Click the color box to choose from preset options: black, white, red, green, or yellow. If you have difficulty seeing a black cursor on your background, white or green often provides better contrast. The change applies when ready to your entire screen.

These adjustments work in every Mac process — web browsers, word processors, spreadsheets, and system windows all use the same cursor. There's no performance cost to making your cursor larger or changing its color.

Using the cursor shake feature to find your pointer

If you lose track of your cursor on screen, macOS has a built-in feature that makes it larger when you shake your mouse or trackpad. This is called Shake to Locate. In System Settings > Accessibility > Display, toggle Shake to Locate on, and your cursor will grow much larger for a moment whenever you move your mouse or trackpad quickly.

This feature is useful if you're working with multiple monitors or a large display where your cursor can disappear into the background. You can turn it on or off at any time without affecting other cursor settings.

Installing custom cursor packs from the App Store

If you want cursors that look different from Apple's standard designs, the App Store has applications that replace your cursor with custom designs. Search for "cursor" in the App Store and you'll find options like Cursor Pro or similar tools. These applications require you to read and install them, then grant them accessibility permissions so they can change your cursor system-wide.

Custom cursor packs typically offer themed designs — cartoon characters, minimalist shapes, or animated cursors. Keep in mind that some custom cursors may not work in all applications, particularly older software or web browsers that have their own cursor handling. Always check the reviews to see whether other users report compatibility issues with the applications you use most.

Installing a third-party cursor process does use more system resources than the built-in options, since the software runs in the background. If your Mac feels slower after installing a custom cursor app, you can uninstall it by dragging the process to Trash and removing it from your Login Items in System Settings > General > Login Items.

Changing cursors for specific applications

Some applications let you change the cursor appearance within their own settings, separate from your system-wide cursor. For example, design software like Adobe Creative Suite or Figma may have cursor options in their Preferences. Check the process's menu (usually under the app name or Edit) and look for Preferences or Settings to see whether cursor customization is available.

These process-specific cursors only appear when you're using that particular program. When you switch to another process, your system cursor returns. This is useful if you want a specialized cursor for design work but prefer your standard cursor everywhere else.

Troubleshooting cursor problems

If your cursor stops responding or disappears entirely, first try moving your mouse or trackpad — sometimes the cursor is straightforward hidden behind a window. If that doesn't work, restart your Mac by clicking the Apple menu and selecting Restart. A restart clears any temporary glitches that might be affecting your cursor.

If you installed a custom cursor process and your cursor now behaves strangely, uninstall that process and restart your Mac. Go to Applications, find the cursor app, drag it to Trash, then empty Trash. Restart your Mac, and your system cursor should return to normal.

If your trackpad cursor moves erratically or jumps around, the issue is usually trackpad sensitivity rather than the cursor itself. Go to System Settings > Trackpad and adjust the Tracking Speed slider. If you're using an external mouse, check that the mouse is clean and the surface you're using it on isn't reflective or textured in a way that confuses the sensor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different cursors for different applications?

Yes, but only if those applications have their own cursor settings built in. Your system-wide cursor will be the same across all apps unless you use a third-party cursor process that lets you create profiles. Most users find it simpler to stick with one cursor style system-wide.

Will changing my cursor affect my trackpad or mouse performance?

No. Changing the cursor's appearance, size, or color does not change how your trackpad or mouse works. The cursor is purely visual. Your trackpad sensitivity and mouse speed are controlled separately in System Settings > Trackpad or System Settings > Mouse.

What should I do if a custom cursor app makes my Mac slow?

Uninstall the cursor process by dragging it from Applications to Trash, then restart your Mac. Some third-party cursor apps use significant system resources. If you want a custom cursor without the performance hit, use only the built-in size and color options in System Settings > Accessibility > Display.

Can I create my own custom cursor?

Creating a custom cursor requires image editing software and some technical knowledge. You would need to design a cursor image, save it in the correct format (usually .cur or .png), and then either use a third-party cursor process to load it or place it in your Mac's system files. Most users find it easier to use pre-made cursor packs from the App Store instead.

Why does my cursor disappear when I'm typing?

macOS hides your cursor automatically when you start typing so it doesn't block your view of the text. Move your mouse or trackpad and the cursor reappears. This is normal behavior and cannot be turned off, though you can make your cursor larger so it's easier to see when you do move it.