How to use Dwell with the on-screen Accessibility Keyboard in macOS 12 Monterey

2. You can add the Dwell menu to the menu bar that appears along the top-right of the computer screen. To do so, click the Options button in the top-right corner of the Accessibility keyboard. Select Dwell from the menu, then select Show dwell actions in menu bar.

3. When Dwell has been paused, you can continue using it to select items in the Accessibility Keyboard and custom panels. To do so, select the Options button in the top-right corner of the Accessibility keyboard. Select Dwell from the menu, then select Always dwell in panels.

4. Click the Options button in the top-right corner of the Accessibility Keyboard, then select Preferences.

5. To change the colour of the Dwell pointer, select the drop-down menu for Colours and choose from the options.

6. You can magnify the area around the pointer. This is activated when the pointer has been idle for a specified amount of time. Tick the checkbox for Zoom after and set how long the pointer needs to be idle before zoom occurs.

Note: The size of the magnified area is based on the size set for picture-in-picture zoom. To change the picture-in-picture size, select Apple menu > System Preferences, click Accessibility, then click Zoom. For more information, see our article How to magnify the screen in macOS 12 Monterey.

7. To hide the Dwell pointer, tick the checkbox for Hide dwell time indicators.

8. The default Dwell action is Left Click. Click the dropdown menu for Default dwell action and select a different action.

9. After performing an action, always make left-click the next action to be performed. This can be useful if left-click is the action you use most often. Tick the checkbox for Auto revert to left click.

10. This is the amount of time the pointer needs to dwell (rest) on an item on the screen before an action is performed. The default is three seconds. Use the arrows for Default dwell time to increase or decrease the time.

11. This is the amount of time the pointer needs to rest on an item in the Accessibility Keyboard or custom panels before a left click is performed. The default is two seconds. Use the arrows for Panel dwell time to increase or decrease the time.

12. This is the distance (in pixels) the pointer can move before a dwell action is cancelled. Use the arrows for Dwell movement tolerance to increase or decrease the number of pixels.

13. This is the distance (in pixels) you need to move the pointer before the dwell countdown restarts after performing an action. Use the arrows for Post-action movement tolerance to increase or decrease the number of pixels.

14. When you are happy with your settings, click Done to close Dwell settings. Close the System Preferences window by clicking the Close button (red circle) in the top-left corner of the window or using the Cmd + W keyboard shortcut.

15. You can temporarily switch to a different Dwell action by resting the pointer on a corner of the screen. For more information on using Hot Corners, see out article How to use Hot Corners with the on-screen Accessibility Keyboard in macOS 12 Monterey.

Note: If this does not work it could be because your computer settings are managed by someone else (an IT department or administrator for example). If so, you will need to contact them to access these settings or for help.