How to Change the Mouse Tracking Speed and Pointer Size on macOS

When you purchase a new Mac or connect a new Bluetooth mouse, the default speed at which the pointer moves across the screen might feel sluggish or wildly out of control. Apple configures the default tracking speed to accommodate a wide variety of users, but a graphic designer making precise pixel edits requires a completely different mouse sensitivity than a programmer quickly swiping between multiple full-screen code editors. Fortunately, macOS allows you to deeply customize the behavior of your pointing device, allowing you to change both the tracking speed and the physical size of the cursor itself.

How to Change the Mouse Tracking Speed

The tracking speed controls how far the cursor moves on your screen relative to the physical distance you move your mouse on the desk.

1. Click the Apple logo in the extreme top-left corner of your Mac’s menu bar.
2. Select System Settings… from the dropdown menu. (On macOS Monterey and older, this is called System Preferences).
3. In the left sidebar, scroll down and click on Mouse. (If you are using a MacBook and want to adjust the built-in trackpad instead, click Trackpad).
4. Look for the slider labeled Tracking speed.
5. Click and drag the slider to adjust the sensitivity:
   • Drag it towards the left (Slow) if you need high precision (e.g., for photo editing). You will have to move your hand further across the desk to move the cursor across the screen.
   • Drag it towards the right (Fast) if you have multiple monitors and want to flick the cursor across all of them with a tiny flick of your wrist.

The changes apply instantly. You should wiggle your mouse immediately after dragging the slider to test the new speed. Keep adjusting it until it feels natural.

How to Change the Pointer Size

If you are using a massive 27-inch 4K iMac or have minor vision impairments, finding a tiny black cursor against a complex desktop background can be frustrating. You can easily increase the physical size of the pointer.

1. Open System Settings from the Apple menu.
2. In the left sidebar, scroll down and select Accessibility.
3. In the main window, look under the “Vision” section and click on Display.
4. Scroll down until you find the “Pointer” section.
5. Locate the Pointer size slider.
6. Drag the slider to the right to make the cursor larger. As you drag, the cursor on your screen will instantly inflate, allowing you to choose the exact size that is most comfortable for your eyes.

The “Shake to Find” Feature

Even with a larger pointer, you might occasionally lose track of it on a cluttered screen. Apple includes a brilliant accessibility feature specifically for this problem.

Directly above the Pointer size slider in the Accessibility menu, you will see a toggle switch labeled Shake mouse pointer to locate. Ensure this switch is turned ON (green).

Now, whenever you lose track of your cursor, simply grab your physical mouse and quickly shake it back and forth on your desk (or rapidly wiggle your finger on the trackpad). The cursor on the screen will instantly enlarge to comical proportions for a split second, acting like a visual flare to catch your eye, before shrinking back to its normal size.