Photoshop Brush preview doesn't match actual size MacOS

[Erik5ECA]

I am encountering a bug in Photoshop for MacOS where the previewed brush size is not correct no matter what resolution my monitor is running at, what scaling Photoshop is set at, or what zoom level my document is at. The preview brush size seems to be about 50% bigger than what the brush actually does. 

System details:

Mac Studio 2023 with M2 Max Chip

MacOS Sonoma 14.4.1

Photoshop 25.11.0

Monitor: Dell 27" 4K P2723QE (As I mentioned above, the issue is present whether running at 1080p, 4K, or anywhere in between)

The image below shows the size of the brush preview, and what actually paints. The size of the brush doesn't seem to matter, it's about 50% bigger no matter what size it is.

[Jeff Arola]

Go to Apple>System Settings>Accessibility>Display>Pointer and set the Pointer size to Normal

[Erik5ECA]

Been a while and I never answered this before. You are right that this "fixes" it. But I still consider it a bug that needs addressing, as it presents accessibility problems. A person who needs to have the mouse pointer bigger in the OS should be able to do so without it creating brush size problems in apps.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

So add your vote to the Feature Request. 

[El Lazo M _]

OMG, THANK YOU!!!! Gosh, I'd never have guessed thath this caused my issue! TQ so much. back to small cursor I guess!

[TomV258]

Yes—making the pointer size Normal in Apple's Accessibility panel solves the brush display problem, BUT now we have to deal with a very small pointer when working outside of PS. Not very friendly to eyes. I don't understand why PS brushes have any relation to what size the pointer on an Apple is. Please, Please, Please fix this. Thank you.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

I don't understand why PS brushes have any relation to what size the pointer on an Apple is. 

The connection seems to be obvious to me – a cursor is a cursor. 

By which I don’t mean that the issue should not be addressed, but it may be more complicated to address than one might expect and the rhetoric »why …«-question seems unfortunate. 

[TomV258]

Please pardon my unfortunate choice of words and rhetoric. I agree with you—It would be lovely if Adobe would address this vexing problem. 

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Please add your vote over here (maybe thsi thread should be merged into that anyway): 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/p-decoupling-the-presetted-quot-usual-quot-b...

[mark-a-hunter]

Changing the pointer size in MacOS impacts the brush outline in PS. Restoring the pointer size to normal.  More info...

Example: Hard, round, black, brush 100px in size when applied, shows black circle smaller than brush outline.

This is a significant fault / bug for anyone who needs larger pointer eg perhaps due to accessibility reasons, so should warrant attention.

This is present in PS 2025/24/23.

MacOS Sequoia 15.1.1

(could be present in earlier MacOS versions, but I havent got machines at earlier versions) 

[Ged_Traynor]

@mark-a-hunter have a look at this thread

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/photoshop-brush-preview-doesn-t-match-actual...

[drcjc2]

same question!