Hover Text appears without my having used the modifier key and is QUITE annoying

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Level 1

117 points

Hover Text appears without my having used the modifier key and is QUITE annoying

I tried restarting my Mac mini M2, but it doesn't do any good. I tried changing the modifier key, but it doesn't do any good. I like the idea of having the hover text option, but only when I ask for it.

Hover text appears when I open a new Mail document and place the cursor over the "To" field. It appears when I open a new browser window and place the cursor over the URL field, and so forth and so on.

Any ideas as to how I can make it work the way it's supposed to work?

Thanks.

Mac mini, macOS 14.7

Posted on Aug 15, 2025 6:54 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Old Toad

Level 10

214,836 points

Aug 15, 2025 1:47 PM in response to Mike Harrison

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following;

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

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Answer 2

Mike Harrison Author

Level 1

117 points

Aug 15, 2025 2:28 PM in response to Old Toad

OK, thanks. I booted into Safe Mode, and found that Hover Text:

will appear immediately upon requesting a new Mail document (without using the modifier or even moving the cursor over the "To" field,
appears to work correctly with Google Chrome,
doesn't work at all with Firefox.

I didn't bother testing any further.

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Answer 3

Mike Harrison Author

Level 1

117 points

Aug 16, 2025 7:27 AM in response to Old Toad

After booting normally, Hover Text:

will appear immediately upon requesting a new Mail document (without using the modifier or even moving the cursor over the "To" field,
seems to work normally in Google Chrome, and will also appear when clicking in the URL field, whether or not I use the modifier key,
seems to behave in Safari just as it does in Google Chrome,
doesn't work at all with Firefox, and
seems to work normally in other applications.

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Answer 4

Old Toad

Level 10

214,836 points

Aug 15, 2025 4:13 PM in response to Mike Harrison

After you rebooted normally how did it behave?

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