Your Mac's pointer disappears on dark backgrounds
Quick answer
Open Accessibility in System Settings, click Display, and set Pointer outline color to something bright, like white or yellow. A light fill colour helps too.
Why it happens
Your Mac's pointer is black with only a thin white edge. On a dark wallpaper, in Dark Mode or in a dark app, that black arrow almost vanishes. A bright outline, or a light fill, gives your eyes something to catch.
How to fix it
Choose Apple menu > System Settings, click Accessibility, then click Display.
Scroll to the Pointer section, click Pointer outline color and choose a bright colour. White, yellow or a light green all show up well on dark screens.
Accessibility›Display›Pointer outline color
For even more contrast, click Pointer fill color and pick a light or bright colour for the inside as well.
Accessibility›Display›Pointer fill color
Move the pointer across your desktop and a dark window to check it stands out. Reset Colors in the same section takes you back to black and white.
Still not fixed?
Make the pointer bigger with the Pointer size slider in the same section.
Accessibility›Display›Pointer size
Turn on Shake mouse pointer to locate, so a quick wiggle makes the pointer grow when you lose it.
Accessibility›Display›Shake mouse pointer to locate
If the pointer goes missing only while you type, that's on purpose. It hides while you type and comes back as soon as you move the mouse or touch the trackpad.
If the pointer vanishes completely, even on light backgrounds and after a restart, contact Apple Support.
Questions people ask
Why can't I see my mouse pointer on a dark background?
The standard pointer is black with a thin white edge. Set a bright Pointer outline color in Accessibility > Display.
What pointer colour is easiest to see in Dark Mode?
A bright outline, like white or yellow, with a light fill stands out best on dark screens.
How do I find a lost pointer on my Mac?
Turn on Shake mouse pointer to locate, then wiggle the mouse and the pointer grows for a moment.
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