Trackpad

How to block your Mac from extending its mouse pointer and keyboard to your iPad or other Mac

Using Mac's mouse on iPad

You can use your Mac's keyboard, mouse, and trackpad wirelessly with your other Mac desktop, MacBook, or iPad. However, if you own multiple Apple devices, you may have experienced the frustration of accidentally moving your mouse pointer or typing on the wrong device. In this article, we'll show you how to prevent your Mac from extending its mouse pointer and keyboard to other nearby devices.

How to enable the three-finger drag gesture for your MacBook trackpad and Magic Trackpad

Three-finger drag on MacBook's trackpad

The three-finger drag gesture allows you to select the text, or move a window or any other element by dragging it with three fingers on the trackpad. It can be used to quickly move or adjust the position of windows, files, or images on the screen.

However, this gesture is disabled by default, so in this tutorial, we will show you how to enable three-finger drag on your MacBook or Magic Trackpad in just a few clicks.

How to change your Mac’s mouse pointer color

Mac's pointer in several colors

If you're reading this article on your Mac, you'll notice that the macOS pointer is black and white by default. The good news is you can change it to any color you like. If you have difficulty seeing your mouse or trackpad pointer or want to personalize its look, here's how to adjust the cursor color of your Mac.

How to disable trackpad inertia on your iPad so that the pointer stops moving immediately

With a supported Multi-Touch trackpad like Apple's own Magic Trackpad connected to your iPad or iPhone, you'll notice the onscreen pointer continues moving for a fraction of a second after you lift the finger from the trackpad before gradually coming to a stop. This is called trackpad inertia, but not everyone is a fan of it.

If you belong to that camp, follow our step-by-step tutorial explaining how to disable iPad trackpad inertia with just a few taps.

How to right-click on iPad

iPad with keyboard and Apple Pencil

The right-click on the iPad is pretty similar in concept and execution to the long-standing right-click on Mac. In this tutorial, we show you how to right-click on iPad with your finger, your mouse mouse, or the trackpad.

How to disable iPad pointer animations

iPadOS brings an adaptive iPad cursor that uses subtle animations when hovering over various parts of the system to help you navigate. As an example, toolbar buttons in apps change color, and app icons on the Home Screen grow bigger. The animated cursor gives you a sense of context, but power users may want to disable these iPad pointer animations in order to enjoy a smoother tracking experience that resembles their computer.

Follow this step-by-step tutorial to learn how you can disable iPad pointer animations with just a few taps.