Stream mode: Spinning cursor and inability to click on streamed virtual display (macOS 26 Tahoe)

[EmanuelFaria]

Description

When using Stream mode to display a virtual/dummy display on a physical monitor (LG 28" 1080p), the mouse cursor shows a spinning dotted circle and clicking does not work. Mirror mode works fine but lacks proper gesture support.

Environment

• BetterDisplay version: 4.1.1 (build 47018)
• macOS: 26.3 (25D5087f) - Tahoe beta
• Hardware: Mac mini M4 Pro, 64GB RAM
• Physical displays:
  • Samsung 32" 4K (Display ID: 2) - Main
  • LG 28" 1080p (Display ID: 3) - Extended
• Virtual display: 2560x1440 16:9 (Display ID: 7)

Steps to Reproduce

1. Create a virtual/dummy display at 2560x1440
2. Use "Stream to Display" to stream the virtual display to the LG monitor
3. Move mouse cursor to the streamed content on LG
4. Attempt to click on anything

Expected Behavior

Mouse clicks should register and interact with the streamed virtual display content.

Actual Behavior

• A dotted spinning circle appears around the mouse cursor
• Clicks do not register
• Unable to interact with any content on the streamed display

Workaround Attempted

Using Mirror mode instead of Stream works for display output, but Mission Control gestures don't work properly (known macOS bug with extended mirrored displays per discussion #29).

Additional Context

• screenStreamCursorShown@Display:7 was set to 0 in preferences, tried setting to 1 but issue persists
• This may be related to macOS 26 Tahoe beta compatibility
• Issue Stream mouse halo, context menu stops working or erroneously shown depending on self-stream or regular screen stream was initiated at first #4214 (stream mouse halo fix in v3.5.2) does not resolve this

Related

• Discussion Why can't not switch workspace on hidpi display with swipe gesture or hotkey? + Solution #29: Gesture issues with extended mirrored displays
• Issue Stream mouse halo, context menu stops working or erroneously shown depending on self-stream or regular screen stream was initiated at first #4214: Stream mouse halo (fixed in 3.5.2)

[waydabber]

No, the dotted spinning circle (and the warning message at the bottom) just means that you are hovering over the streamed content on the stream target display with the mouse instead of the mouse being on the stream source display. You can simply move the mouse over to the stream source (virtual in this case) display in the display layout, or right click and choose Warp.