Who it helps
When your hand shakes, the mouse fights back. It doesn’t have to.
This page is a plain guide to what actually helps, including the things that are free, and the cases where TrueCursor is not the right answer.
Compare tasks, not diagnoses.
A shaky mouse arrow arrives in many ways: essential tremor, Parkinson’s, MS, medicine side effects, or simply hands that have gotten older. The name matters less than the tasks.
Ask yourself: can I get the arrow roughly where I want it, even if it shakes, circles, or clicks the wrong thing on the way? If yes, help like TrueCursor usually fits, whatever the cause.
If the arrow cannot be aimed at all, different tools serve better: head tracking, eye tracking, switch control. Those are bigger changes, and a good occupational therapist can guide the choice. We would rather point you the right way than sell you the wrong thing.
Looked for SteadyMouse first? Here is the honest Mac picture. Condition-specific notes: essential tremor · Parkinson’s · multiple sclerosis
Three built-in Mac settings worth a look.
- Slow the mouse down a little. Apple menu → System Settings → Mouse (or Trackpad) → “Tracking speed”. Slower makes aiming easier, though too slow makes everything a chore. TrueCursor removes that trade-off, but the free setting is worth trying.
- Turn OFF “Shake mouse pointer to locate”. System Settings → Accessibility → Display. With a tremor, this setting balloons the arrow constantly. Almost everyone with shaky hands should turn it off.
- Give double-click more time. System Settings → Accessibility → Pointer Control → “Double-click speed”, one notch slower.
Helpful, but none of these steadies the arrow itself. That is the part software has to do. Want every setting, not just the top three? The complete settings tour is here.
What TrueCursor adds.
- The arrow itself holds steady, the shake is absorbed while your real movement goes through.
- Clicks land where you aim, accidental double-clicks are ignored, and small slips stop turning into drags.
- Buttons you approach get a soft outline, and clicks commit to them, even the tiny ones.
- It learns your hand automatically, with nothing to set up, and keeps adjusting through the day.
Three related plain guides: find out why a cursor shakes, choose a mouse setup for shaky hands, and pick a mouse for a senior.
It is honest to say a trackball or a heavier mouse also helps some people; hardware and TrueCursor work well together. The compatibility page lists what we have tested.
Try it on your own tasks.
Your email, your photos, your bank, 30 days free, no card.