Snap Areas Don't Show on Multiple Desktops MacOSX

nomadic · October 27, 2024, 4:57pm

Snap areas are not showing up on Multiple Desktops. Each time I switch desktop, I've got to restart BTT in order to show the snap area previews.

I have the following settings:

Enable window snapping = on
Only show snap area while holding: "Option"

What happens now:

I hold down 'Option' on Desktop 1, the snap areas show up correctly, I release option key.
I switch to Desktop 2, and hold down 'Option', no snap areas show up (they're functional, but I can't see the preview). Same on Desktop 3 etc.
If I go back to Desktop 1, and try again, I can see the snap areas fine. It's like they're stuck on Desktop 1.
If I'm on Desktop 2, Restart BTT, then they'll function on Desktop 2 but not 1 or 3.

What I expect to happen:

Regardless of Desktop, I would think the snap areas would show up.

Macbook Pro M1 14inch
OSX 15.0.1 (24A348)

Andreas_Hegenberg · October 27, 2024, 9:07pm

unfortunately I can't reproduce the issue. Is there anything special about your display setup?

nomadic · October 27, 2024, 9:23pm

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.

I don't think there's anything special... though I am using an external monitor. Perhaps that's it?

Testing it now...
External: Desktop 1,2,3,4
MacBook: Desktop 5,6

The snap areas show up on the Macbook's screen on both Desktops #5, 6 but on the external monitor they only show on Desktop 2. It's missing from 1, 3 and 4.

Test #1 - Restart BTT - Passed
I moved to Desktop 1, hit "Restart BTT"... Snap Areas are now showing on all Desktops 1-6. However, from experience this stops working after a while. Perhaps it stops working after the screensaver comes on. Will test that next.

Test #2 - After screensaver - Passed
Still functioning after returning from screensaver. Will report when it happens again.

Reoccurs
Came back to my computer in the morning and the problem persists. Not sure if this is related, but when I Restart BTT, it shows me the Accessibility API Permissions dialog. BTT has permissions already granted.

Andreas_Hegenberg · October 27, 2024, 9:25pm

I'll have a look tomorrow with my external screens.

nomadic · October 30, 2024, 3:22am

Hmm. Looks like it's happening again.
I tried a system reset.
Perhaps when the computer goes into a deeper sleep?

kimaldis · November 8, 2024, 1:18pm

I'm getting something similar. I have a MacBook with a Mac Studio display attached. My snap areas show when I drag a window using its top bar but not if I use the fn key to move windows. I've tried restarting BTT without effect.

Andreas_Hegenberg · November 8, 2024, 1:21pm

@kimaldis this should be fixed in the latest alpha already!

kimaldis · November 8, 2024, 1:32pm

yes, that's done it. Thanks Andreas

nomadic · November 8, 2024, 6:00pm

Will keep you posted on my side. Thanks for looking into it.

nomadic · November 11, 2024, 8:24pm

@Andreas_Hegenberg unfortunately still happening. I recorded a Loom Video so you can see what I mean. Let me know when you've watched it, I'll delete the video.

nomadic · January 23, 2025, 9:02pm

@Andreas_Hegenberg Just checking if you've watch the Loom video?

Andreas_Hegenberg · January 23, 2025, 9:09pm

yes, but I currently have no clue what could cause this. I tried on my systems but can't reproduce it yet (they show up fine on all of my desktops).

I don't think this is what's causing your issue , but maybe check whether BTT is assigned to a specific desktop when right-clicking it's Dock Icon => Options

nomadic · January 23, 2025, 9:19pm

Okay, thanks for checking it out. Checked the desktop assign... it was "None" as well.

Weird!

Gaz · February 19, 2026, 1:34pm

I also get the issue of the snap areas not showing up. I don’t think for me it’s due to switching desktops as I can do that fine and the areas still show up afterwards but do randomly stop showing up. As with the OP a restart of BetterTouchTool fixes it.
I don’t have the “Option” requirement so just picking up a window will show them normally.
I also believe the areas ARE still there and work if I can hit them (I did that once by accident but haven’t tried since) so I suspect it’s the visual overlay that’s missing or hidden.

I have a 4k monitor in the middle and two 1080p monitors either side. One portrate and one landscape.
I’m running the latest release MacOS and BetterTouchTool.
I’ve got a MacMini Pro so all external monitors.

I’ve had this issue for as long as I can remember and trigger it normally once a month but it’s happening daily now hence being annoyed enough to bother you.

I can’t trigger it to break by locking and unlocking the screen and don’t have it sleep ever, nore do I have a screensaver.

nomadic · February 19, 2026, 2:27pm

Still happens with me too unfortunately.