How to change the cursor into a hand?

[Alobaid77]

when I just bought the MacOs the cursor used to become in a hand shape when I hoover over a link but it stopped doing that by itself! accessibility in system can't solve the problem. What should to restore the hand without using external apps?

 

[ferrarr]

Create a new user account and test on that clean account if the issue persists.

What Mac?
What macOS?

 

[pm-r]

What should to restore the hand without using external apps?

If you haven't used any third party app or utility to modify your mouse pointer, the normal OS X or macOS pointer will change automatically and use a different shape or icon depending on what you are doing.

For more details have a look here:

Pointers in macOS

Your Mac uses several styles of pointers that move on the screen when you use your mouse or trackpad.

support.apple.com

It sounds like it is working correctly and changing as it should, depending on what you are doing.

And make sure any link is a live working one etc. to get the correct indicator happening.

EDIT:
If the problem persists and the situation has been confirmed to be correct you could try this:
In your Users username folder > Preferences folder, Trash these files:

com.apple.finder.plist
com.apple.sidebarlists.plist

Then, restart, or log out and in again.


- Patrick
=======

 

[IWT]

when I just bought the MacOs the cursor used to become in a hand shape when I hoover over a link but it stopped doing that by itself! accessibility in system can't solve the problem. What should to restore the hand without using external apps?

I don't think it has anything to do with Accessibility unless you have been changing things there.

Reboot the Mac first, then hover the cursor over this link:

Set your location and map view in Maps on iPhone

In Maps on iPhone, see your current location and change the map view to fit your needs.

support.apple.com

It should be a slightly closed hand with the index finger pointing like this:

If the reboot doesn't change anything, then follow Bob's (ferrarr) advice and see if that works.

Ian

 

[ferrarr]

Sometimes when a browser window is open, but you were working in another app (Finder is an app), you will need to select the browser again for the mouse to know you are hovering over a hyperlink.

 

[Alobaid77]

Create a new user account and test on that clean account if the issue persists.

What Mac?
What macOS?

If you haven't used any third party app or utility to modify your mouse pointer, the normal OS X or macOS pointer will change automatically and use a different shape or icon depending on what you are doing.

For more details have a look here:

Pointers in macOS

Your Mac uses several styles of pointers that move on the screen when you use your mouse or trackpad.

support.apple.com

It sounds like it is working correctly and changing as it should, depending on what you are doing.

And make sure any link is a live working one etc. to get the correct indicator happening.

EDIT:
If the problem persists and the situation has been confirmed to be correct you could try this:
In your Users username folder > Preferences folder, Trash these files:

com.apple.finder.plist
com.apple.sidebarlists.plist

Then, restart, or log out and in again.


- Patrick
=======

I don't think it has anything to do with Accessibility unless you have been changing things there.

Reboot the Mac first, then hover the cursor over this link:

Set your location and map view in Maps on iPhone

In Maps on iPhone, see your current location and change the map view to fit your needs.

support.apple.com

It should be a slightly closed hand with the index finger pointing like this: View attachment 36522

If the reboot doesn't change anything, then follow Bob's (ferrarr) advice and see if that works.

Ian

Sometimes when a browser window is open, but you were working in another app (Finder is an app), you will need to select the browser again for the mouse to know you are hovering over a hyperlink.

after reading your replies I found that the cursor uses hand shape in Safari but not in chrome

 

[Alobaid77]

now it's back working with Chrome. looks like it got scared of you guys

 

[pm-r]

now it's back working with Chrome. looks like it got scared of you guys

That's good to read, and I have no idea how or why it might have changed.

By the way, welcome to mac-forums.


- Patrick
=======

 

[Alobaid77]

That's good to read, and I have no idea how or why it might have changed.

By the way, welcome to mac-forums.


- Patrick
=======

It seems like what you said that it changes automatically depending on what the user often do on the computer.

 

[pm-r]

It seems like what you said that it changes automatically depending on what the user often do on the computer.

Yep, that's what it's supposed to do —— when it is working properly.


- Patrick
=======

 

[pine man]

I've been looking at my Mac screens for at least ten years now and I never even realised that the cursor changed to hand

 

[toMACsh]

I've been looking at my Mac screens for at least ten years now…

@pine man, you need to take a break! Ten years of looking at a screen is bound to damage your sight.

 

[pm-r]

@pine man, you need to take a break! Ten years of looking at a screen is bound to damage your sight.

- Patrick
=======