Fix Invisible Cursor: Control Android from PC

8/11/2025

Can't See Your Cursor When Controlling Your Android Phone from a PC? Here's the Fix.

Hey everyone, so you're trying to control your Android phone from your PC, which is a pretty slick setup for all sorts of things, but you've run into a super annoying problem: your mouse cursor is nowhere to be found. You're moving your mouse, you know things are happening on your phone screen, but you're essentially flying blind. It's frustrating, I get it. Honestly, it's a more common issue than you'd think. Turns out, there are a few reasons why this happens, & it's usually a pretty easy fix.

Let's dive into why your cursor is playing hide-and-seek & how to get it back.

So, Why Does the Cursor Disappear in the First Place?

Here's the thing, when you're controlling your Android device from a PC, you're essentially creating a bridge between two different operating systems that think about pointers in very different ways. Your PC has a dedicated cursor, a fundamental part of its user interface. Android, on the other hand, is designed for touch input. It doesn't have a built-in, system-wide cursor in the same way your computer does.

When you use a remote control app, it has to "translate" your PC's mouse movements into touch events that your Android device can understand. Some apps do this by rendering their own virtual cursor on the Android screen, while others... well, they just don't. The problem can stem from:

The remote control app itself: The most common culprit. The setting to show the cursor might be disabled by default.
Android's own settings: Android has developer settings that can show visual feedback for touches, but they aren't always on.
Your PC's settings: Believe it or not, sometimes a Windows setting can be the cause, hiding the pointer when it thinks you're typing or in a specific application.
Driver or connection issues: The classic "have you tried turning it off & on again?" solution often works for a reason.

The Fixes: From Simple Settings to a Little More Techy Stuff

We'll start with the easiest fixes & work our way down. Chances are, one of the first few solutions will get you sorted.

1. Check the Settings in Your Remote Control App

Most of the popular remote desktop apps have a specific setting for this. They know it's a common need, so they've built in a toggle. Here’s where to look in some of the most common apps:

AnyDesk: If you're using AnyDesk, the fix is usually straightforward. In the app's settings, go to the "Display" section. You should find an option like "Show remote cursor." Make sure that's checked. Some users also find that checking "Follow remote cursor" helps.
TeamViewer: TeamViewer can be a little tricky. In the past, showing the remote cursor sometimes meant you couldn't actually control the device, only view it. However, it's still worth digging into the settings. Go to "Options" > "Advanced" & look for settings related to remote connections.
RustDesk: Another popular one, RustDesk, also has a setting for this. Poke around in the "Display" settings for "Show remote cursor" & make sure it's enabled. Sometimes the default cursor is a blue dot that can be hard to see against certain backgrounds, but it's better than nothing.

2. For the Scrcpy Fans: Use the "Show Touches" Command

Scrcpy (Screen Copy) is an AMAZING, free, & open-source tool that's super powerful for mirroring & controlling your Android device. It's a favorite among developers & power users. If you're using Scrcpy & can't see where you're clicking, there's a simple command-line flag you can use when you launch it.

Instead of just running

scrcpy

, use this command:

scrcpy --show-touches

This command tells Scrcpy to enable a feature that shows a small, circular visual indicator wherever the screen is "touched" by your mouse clicks. It's not a traditional arrow cursor, but it's a lifesaver for knowing exactly where you're interacting with the screen. It's especially useful if you're making tutorials or recording your screen for a presentation.

3. Enable "Show Taps" in Android's Developer Options

If the app you're using doesn't have a cursor option, or if you want a more universal solution, you can enable a setting directly on your Android device. This feature is tucked away in the "Developer options," which you'll need to unlock first if you haven't already.

Step 1: Unlock Developer Options

Go to your Android Settings app.
Scroll all the way down & tap on "About phone".
Find the "Build number" & tap on it repeatedly (usually 7 times). You'll see a little message counting down, & then it will say "You are now a developer!".

Step 2: Enable "Show Taps"

Now go back to the main Settings menu. You should see a new option called "Developer options" (it might be under a "System" or "Additional Settings" submenu).
Tap on "Developer options" & scroll down until you find the "Input" section.
Look for an option called "Show taps" or "Show touches" & toggle it on.

Now, whenever you control your phone from your PC, you'll see a small white dot appear at the point of interaction. Like the Scrcpy solution, it's not a mouse pointer, but it gives you that crucial visual feedback.

4. Check Your Windows Mouse Settings

This one is a bit of a long shot for this specific problem, but it has been known to cause cursor issues in some full-screen applications, which can include remote control clients.

On your Windows PC, press the Windows key & type "Mouse settings."
Click on "Additional mouse options" or "Additional mouse settings".
In the "Mouse Properties" window that pops up, go to the "Pointer Options" tab.
Make sure the option "Hide pointer while typing" is UNCHECKED.

Sometimes, the remote control app can trick Windows into thinking you're "typing" on the remote device, causing the local cursor to vanish.

A Note for Businesses: Remote Control & Customer Engagement

It's pretty cool that we can do all this with our personal devices, but think about the business applications for a moment. Being able to remotely access & control devices is HUGE for IT support, troubleshooting, & even sales demos.

Imagine a customer is having trouble with your company's app. A support agent could, with permission, remotely access the customer's device to see the problem firsthand. This is where seamless interaction is key. You can't be fumbling around with an invisible cursor while a customer is waiting.

This is also where automation & proactive support come into play. Many businesses are now using AI-powered tools to offer instant help. For example, a business could use a platform like Arsturn to build a custom AI chatbot for their website or app. This chatbot, trained on the company's own data, could guide a user through troubleshooting steps for a common issue, maybe even before they need to talk to a human. If the problem is more complex, the chatbot can seamlessly hand off the conversation to a live agent who might then use remote access to solve the problem. It's all about creating a smoother, more efficient customer experience. Arsturn helps businesses create those custom AI chatbots that provide instant support & engage with visitors 24/7, which is a pretty powerful first line of defense.

What If None of This Works?

If you've tried all of the above & you're still working with an invisible cursor, here are a few last things to check:

Restart everything: Your phone, your PC, the remote control app. It's a classic for a reason.
Check for updates: Make sure your remote control app, your Android OS, & your PC's operating system are all up to date.
Try a different USB cable or port: If you're using a wired connection, a faulty cable or port can cause all sorts of weird issues.
Consider a different app: There are tons of remote control apps out there, like Vysor, AirDroid, & DeskDock. It might be that the one you're using just doesn't play nice with your specific setup. Trying another one might solve the problem instantly.

So there you have it. The mystery of the disappearing cursor usually has a pretty simple solution. It's all about knowing where to look. Hopefully, this guide was helpful & you're now able to control your Android device with full visibility. Let me know what you think or if you have any other tricks up your sleeve