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CkissiahO
CkissiahO
Participant
January 29, 2026
Question

No Smart Guides when using USB mouse (Mac)

  • January 29, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 46 views

I am using Illustrator version  28.7.10, provided through my employer. The most recent update is not available. I am on Mac OS Tahoe.

I have noticed that there are no Smart Guides for me. Even with them turned on, resetting preferences, downloading previous generations of illustrator, nothing works. I can sometimes get them to appear, but it is very situational. WIthout Smart Guides, my workflow is totally ruined.

However, I didn’t always have this problem. When I first started, I had the Smart Guides like normal, but I was using a Magic Mouse at the time. I have loads of issues with that mouse, so I switched to a mouse that better suits my comfortability and mindset. But now, I’ve lost the guides. If I reconect the Magic Mouse, I can get the guides to appear as normal, but only when using that mouse.

Does anyone know if there is a solution to this? The ergonomics of the Magic Mouse are really hard on my hand and wrist, and the gestures get me every time. Right clicking is also a chore.

Thank you,
-C

    2 replies

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 29, 2026

    Mac OS Tahoe is not even listed as compatible for the current version of Illustrator. Let alone for an older one: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/desktop/get-started/learn-the-basics/technical-requirements.html 

    CkissiahO
    CkissiahOAuthor
    Participant
    February 9, 2026

    This is what I got. I’m hardly an OS expert. Apologies if I listed something incorrectly!


    My IT dept has gotten me a slightly newer version of Illustrator, as seen above, but it the problem/mystery persists.

    A
    Community Manager
    Anubhav MCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    January 29, 2026

     Hello ​@CkissiahO 

     

    I’m sorry to hear about your experience. Would you mind trying to run Illustrator under a different administrator account (Windows / macOS) and checking if it helps?

    Also, try the following steps and check if the updates for Illustrator are available then:

    • Close all Adobe applications
    • Remove the Creative Cloud Desktop application, CCLibrary, and CoreSync using the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool (https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html)
    • Reinstall the Creative Cloud Desktop application (https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/creative-cloud-desktop-app-download.html)
    • Relaunch Illustrator

     

    Looking forward to hearing from you.
    Anubhav

    CkissiahO
    CkissiahOAuthor
    Participant
    January 29, 2026

    Hi Anubhav,

    I appreciate the help. I don’t think that will be possible for me as I am using a work laptop. And when considering the upddate, my applications are fully managed by my IT department, and so updates won’t come through that way either.

    I am realizing that there is likely some kind of firmware that my USB mouse needs in order to operate fully. It is a gaming mouse. Right now it works for everything except smart guides in illustrator. Could that potentially be the problem?

    A
    Community Manager
    Anubhav MCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    February 4, 2026

    Hello ​@CkissiahO 

     

    Thanks for confirming. Kindly try installing the official drivers/companion app from the manufacturer’s website and let us know how it goes.

    Anubhav

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