21

In Windows, it is possible to set pressing Ctrl to display the current location of the mouse pointer, as per this tutorial.

Is there a way of setting a key or key combination to perform the same action in Ubuntu? Note, this is the opposite of turning this function off, as detailed at How do I turn off "show mouse" when I press Ctrl?.

Improve this question
2

6 Answers 6

Reset to default
20

GNOME based environments (including default Ubuntu)

Open Terminal and run the following command

gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.peripherals.mouse locate-pointer true

Now if you press ctrl the pointer should be highlighted.

KDE

In KDE, go to System Settings -> Desktop Effects -> Track Mouse. Click on the cog icon beside that, and set ctrl as the modifier key.

Improve this answer
4
  • 3
    This solution has been a huge pain for me. I turned this feature on early after adopting the Gnome Desktop and didn't realize this was the issue behind my ctlr-* shortcuts being hijacked. For instance, ctrl-c and ctlr-v don't work as expected because this function overrides them. I was able to work around it by for instance holding down ctrl, then highlighting text I wanted to copy and then copying instead of highlighting and then crtl-c. I rely heavily on shortcuts and this was driving me nuts.
    – Ron Collins
    Nov 15, 2017 at 18:37
  • @RonCollins You can undo this by running gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.peripherals.mouse locate-pointer false.
    – pomsky
    Nov 15, 2017 at 21:11
  • 1
    Btw, No such key “locate-pointer”
    – Snowcrash
    Oct 30, 2020 at 12:49
  • 1
    @Snowcrash For newer Ubuntu releases, see this answer: askubuntu.com/a/1271583/480481
    – pomsky
    Oct 30, 2020 at 13:21
13

It is possible to find this option in the GNOME Tweaks. Just go to 'Keyboard & Mouse' -> 'Pointer Location' and turn it on/off.

Improve this answer
4
  • That workaround is too heavy. Additionally, I would need to see my cursor in first place to navigate there, or just use the keyboard.
    – neverMind9
    Nov 6, 2018 at 11:34
  • 1
    And I bet a bunch it's not in your average Linux distro - e.g. I'm using Ubuntu 18.04 LTS and don't see those options.
    – Snowcrash
    Jul 9, 2019 at 15:20
  • It is there in 18.04 tweaks but it no longer works (it used to work for a few days, until I played with Appearance, since then I am fighting small cursors and fonts and this "Pointer Location" seems to be dead. This all makes Ubuntu 18 a very bad experience for someone who was used to Ubuntu 16...
    – axd
    Dec 7, 2019 at 11:40
  • 1
    @axd I just occasionally find out it works with Ctrl + Fn
    – Serge P
    Feb 18, 2020 at 21:14
6

In 20.04, this is a slightly different location now for gsettings to work with.

In 20.04, this is the org.gnome.desktop.interface locate-pointer object. So:

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface locate-pointer true
Improve this answer
0
2

In 20.04, for those who wanted a feature more similar to macOS's one, there's now Jiggle which is a Gnome Shell extension that enlarges your cursor when shaking the mouse.

Once installed, the extension can be configured using GNOME Extensions or GNOME Tweaks.

GitHub page

Improve this answer
2
  • This works. But there's no guide as to how you change settings like Shake time.
    – Snowcrash
    Nov 9, 2020 at 14:27
  • @Snowcrash, Jiggle's settings can be changed from GNOME Tweaks. I've updated my answer.
    – gion
    Jun 20, 2021 at 14:10
0

For those using Ubuntu 18.04:

Enable it with Gnome Tweak tools or use the command:

gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.peripherals.mouse locate-pointer true

Then use Fn+Ctrl (not just Ctrl).

Improve this answer
1
  • VERSION="20.04.2 LTS (Focal Fossa)" : No such key “locate-pointer”
    – Snowcrash
    Jun 23, 2021 at 8:51
0

If you prefer a graphical way in Ubuntu 20.04 and later, you can go to Settings → Universal Access → toggle Locate pointer on in the Pointing & Clicking section.

enter image description here

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.