Random sets of numbers appearing on my MacBook screen

[podbay]

.: Hello. Recently my MacBook Pro (2019, currently running Sequoia 15.3.2) has started to display rows and columns of numbers on the screen for whatever reason(s) in a seemingly random manner. I've never seen such behaviour before. Has anyone else experienced this? Please see the graphic for more details. If anyone knows what this is and how to stop it, please let me know. Many thanks in advance for your help.

 

[IWT]

I would suggest that you update your Mac to the latest version of Sequoia which is 15.4 - and then see if the problem persists.

We can then take from there.

Ian

 

[pm-r]

Many thanks in advance

I had to giggle a bit when I read this as it scared the **** out of me when it happened to me, and it's lucky you don't have a lot of icons on your desktop.

It seems you have enabled “voice control” and you simply need to disable it.

As Google's AI explains:

If you see numbers appearing on your macOS Sequoia (macOS 15) desktop, it's likely due to Voice Control, a feature that allows you to control your computer with your voice. To disable this, go to System Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control and turn it off.

To disable this, go to System Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control and turn it off.
That should get you back to normal viewing.




- Patrick
=======

 

[pm-r]

I would suggest that you update your Mac to the latest version of Sequoia which is 15.4 - and then see if the problem persists.

We can then take from there.

I'm sorry Ian, but that won't do anything to help solve the OP's particular problem. It's a Mac OS 15.x feature. Well, at least a future for the handicapped who might need and can use it.



- Patrick
=======

 

[podbay]

I would suggest that you update your Mac to the latest version of Sequoia which is 15.4 - and then see if the problem persists.

We can then take from there.

Ian

Thank you, Ian. Doing that right now and will report back afterward.

 

[podbay]

I had to giggle a bit when I read this as it scared the **** out of me when it happened to me, and it's lucky you don't have a lot of icons on your desktop.

It seems you have enabled “voice control” and you simply need to disable it.

As Google's AI explains:


To disable this, go to System Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control and turn it off.
That should get you back to normal viewing.




- Patrick
=======

Hello, Patrick. Thank you, that worked, much appreciated. "Voice control" is operating because I'm studying French using the Babbel system, which occasionally requires me to speak. I'll need to remember to turn it off when a lesson is over. Again, many thanks.

 

[pm-r]

I'll need to remember to turn it off when a lesson is over. Again, many thanks.

I'm not sure but I wouldn't be surprised if there is not an option setting somewhere that would allow you to use the Babbel application with the “Voice Control” disabled, or at least part of it. Have a look through the various options including all the text-to-voice and macOS "Dictation" stuff and it's various options. Or maybe there's an option in the Babbel application settings to disable it.

Good luck with your French learning.



- Patrick
=======

 

[podbay]

Patrick, many thanks for your kind help!