The overlay itself
Everything it can do.
What the keystroke overlay actually draws, where it sits, how it looks, and what to check when it does not appear at all.
What it draws
How much of your typing reaches the screen, and what the overlay refuses to draw at all.
- Keyboard overlay display modes on macOSLatest, Horizontal History and Stacked History are three different ways to read your keystrokes on screen. What each one does, and when each is right.
- Show only keyboard shortcuts, not every keystrokeSet a Mac keystroke overlay to draw only modified combinations, then use the standalone modifier, function key and special key switches to quiet the rest.
- Highlight the mouse cursor and clicks on a MacDraw a halo around the pointer on macOS and make every click visible: shapes, line styles, details, click reactions, and when the halo shows itself.
- Mac keyboard symbols explained: ⌘ ⌥ ⌃ ⇧ and the restWhat ⌘ ⌥ ⌃ ⇧ ⇪ ⏎ ⌫ ⎋ ⇥ and the arrow glyphs are called, which physical key each one is, and how to read a Mac shortcut written in symbols.
How it looks
Nine theme families, three keycap styles, and per-category control over every key on screen.
Where it sits
Placement is the setting people change most, and the one that decides whether the overlay helps or covers the thing you are pointing at.
- Where the keyboard overlay sits, and how big it isEight edge presets, free placement by dragging the real overlay, three size steps and two shortcuts — plus how to keep the keys clear of a Dock or webcam.
- Keyboard overlay across multiple monitorsFollow Pointer, One Display or Selected Displays, with a placement saved per screen that survives unplugging, reordering and rearranging your monitors.
When nothing appears
Usually a permission, sometimes macOS deliberately withholding the keys. Both have a definite answer.
- Keystroke overlay not showing: how to fix itKeys not appearing on your Mac keystroke overlay? The causes in the order people hit them: permission, master switch, Secure Input, filters and displays.
- Secure Input on macOS: why a key overlay goes blankSecure Keyboard Entry stops macOS handing key events to other apps. That is why keycaps stop in a password field, and why a banner appears in their place.