Mouse Won't Disappear in Fullscreen Plex: How to Hide Cursor Issue on Mac – IT Solver Support

If you're watching content through the Plex app on your Mac and the cursor won't disappear in fullscreen mode, there's a simple keyboard shortcut that resolves this issue. Whether you're using Plex, Disney Plus, HBO Max, or other streaming services, this solution addresses the common problem where the progress bar fades away but the cursor stubbornly remains on screen.

Understanding the Issue

The Plex app for macOS is essentially a web application running in a dedicated window - you can verify this by pressing Command + R to reload the entire app, just like refreshing a webpage. This web-based architecture means the app sometimes struggles with native system behaviors like cursor management in fullscreen mode. The cursor remains visible even after the playback controls disappear, which can be particularly distracting when streaming to a TV or watching on your laptop.

Prerequisites

Plex Media Player for Mac
Content playing in full screen mode

Resolution Steps on how to hide the cursor

Start playing your content in Plex
Enter full screen mode if not already in it
- Click the full screen icon, or
- Press Command (⌘) + Control + F
Press Command (⌘) + . (period
Move the cursor a little bit, but keep it off the controls.

Technical Background

Many streaming applications, including Plex, are built using web technologies where cursor behavior is managed through the web browser engine. The common workaround of moving the cursor to the edge of the screen often leaves it partially visible - an annoying distraction when watching movies or TV shows. The Command + . shortcut appears to interact with how these web-based media players handle cursor visibility in fullscreen mode, providing a proper solution rather than just a workaround. Since this fix works across different streaming services on macOS, it likely addresses a fundamental aspect of how web-based video players interact with the system's cursor management.

Compatibility

Verified working on macOS Sonoma 14.7.2 and Sequoia 15.2
Works with most streaming web applications on macOS

Behavior Details

This keyboard shortcut works specifically for the Plex Media Player application on macOS
The cursor will remain hidden until you move your mouse
The cursor will disappear after the on-screen controls disappear (~2 seconds of no cursor movement)
This fix persists after closing and reopening Plex

Troubleshooting Tips

Try exiting full screen mode and re-entering before attempting the shortcut
Check if any other applications are intercepting the keyboard shortcut

Credits

Special thanks to Reddit user "sewitass" for originally sharing this solution.

Was this helpful?

If you've followed this guide, we'd love to hear about your experience. Please leave a comment below to share whether this guide helped you achieve your goal. If you found an alternative approach that worked, we encourage you to share that as well. Your feedback helps us improve our documentation and assists others in the community.

Need Further Assistance?

If you need additional support or would like personalized guidance, we're here to help. Check out our dedicated support plans at IT Solver Support Plans for expert assistance tailored to your needs.