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For Mac power users, BetterTouchTool (BTT) has long been an indispensable utility, transforming the Mac’s trackpad, mouse, and keyboard with customizable gestures and automation. However, with the release of macOS Sequoia, many long-time users have reported a frustrating issue: input lag when using gestures. Smooth flicks, intuitive swipes, and custom hot corners suddenly began feeling sluggish or unreliable. As more users updated and encountered the same symptoms, the community started looking into what was causing the degradation—and, more importantly, how to fix it.
TL;DR
If you’re experiencing gesture lag in BetterTouchTool after upgrading to macOS Sequoia, you’re not alone. A combination of new system-level changes in Sequoia and outdated BTT configuration settings appears to be to blame. Users have resolved lag by applying a series of targeted fixes: updating BTT, altering accessibility permissions, tweaking input delay settings, and even downgrading where necessary. Read on for a complete breakdown of what’s going on and how to return to smooth gesture response.
Understanding the Problem: What Changed in macOS Sequoia?
With every major macOS release, Apple introduces architectures and security enhancements that can affect lower-level apps like BetterTouchTool. Under Sequoia, several core system interaction mechanisms were modified—particularly those relating to input dispatching and performance throttling. Users running BTT on older versions of macOS noticed minimal latency, but post-update, multiple users described gesture lag as varying from a quarter-second delay up to over a full second in extreme cases.
According to developer documentation and anecdotal analysis by power users, Sequoia prioritizes certain types of input processing differently under its App Lifecycle Management, a new feature designed to conserve energy and improve CPU efficiency. Unfortunately, apps like BTT that constantly rely on real-time gesture input may be inadvertently deprioritized—leading to the reported lag.
What Users Did to Fix the Lag
After weeks of community trial and error, several methods emerged that successfully restored BetterTouchTool’s fluid responsiveness. Below are the most effective fixes, based on frequent reports from Reddit, the BetterTouchTool forums, and tech blogs:
1. Ensure You Are Running the Latest BTT Version
The first and most critical step is making sure your BTT installation is fully updated. The app’s developer, Andreas Hegenberg, has been quick to respond with patches addressing compatibility issues with Sequoia. As of this writing, version 4.257 or later includes performance improvements specifically targeting gesture latency under macOS Sequoia.
Steps:
- Open BetterTouchTool.
- Go to Preferences > Updates.
- Click “Check for Updates” and install the latest version.
2. Recalibrate Accessibility and Input Monitoring Permissions
After the Sequoia update, some users noticed BTT had lost necessary permissions. This causes unpredictable behavior, including input delay, as the system throttles or blocks input monitoring.
Solution:
- Open System Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Navigate to both Accessibility and Input Monitoring.
- Ensure BetterTouchTool is listed as enabled in both sections.
- If in doubt, remove and re-add BTT to refresh permissions.
- Restart your Mac to ensure changes take full effect.
3. Adjust BTT’s Gesture Recognition Thresholds
BTT offers internal settings that define how it interprets touch input. On some setups, default thresholds conflicted with macOS Sequoia’s new gesture recognition model. Users who reduced “minimum gesture distance” and similar sliders in BTT noticed smoother performance.
Steps:
- Launch BetterTouchTool.
- Navigate to the specific input device you’re customizing (e.g., Trackpad).
- Locate “Advanced” or “Expert Settings.”
- Reduce delay-related values like:
- Minimum distance for swipe
- Delay before gesture recognition
- Tap-to-click delay adjustment
4. Disable “Low Power Mode” or Adaptive Performance Settings
Initial tests show Sequoia’s adaptation features might down-prioritize background input hooks under low-energy conditions. Some users resolved lag issues by disabling macOS’s Low Power Mode, claiming this restored full CPU priority to BTT and similar utilities.
How to disable:
- Go to System Settings > Battery.
- Uncheck Low Power Mode for both Battery and Power Adapter modes.
- Restart BetterTouchTool.
5. Use Terminal to Reset Input Services (Advanced Fix)
In rare cases, macOS’s native gesture handling subsystem hooks into processes even after system changes. Resetting input services forces macOS to rebuild its gesture environment from scratch, which can eliminate “phantom lag.”
Warning: Only use Terminal with caution and backup important data beforehand.
Terminal Command:
sudo killall -HUP coreaudiod
This command has reportedly resolved input lag for several users, though results may vary.
6. Roll Back to an Earlier macOS Version (Last Resort)
If none of the above fixes restore full performance, some advanced users temporarily reverted to macOS Ventura or Sonoma. Not ideal—but for users heavily reliant on high-precision gestures (e.g., for productivity apps or stream deck alternatives), it restored usability until BTT and macOS compatibility improves further.
Rollback Considerations:
- Requires a Time Machine backup or bootable USB installer of the older system.
- Not recommended unless you are familiar with system recovery protocols.
- Check compatibility with your hardware—M1/M2 Macs require specific procedures.
Developer Response and Long-Term Outlook
The BTT developer has confirmed on multiple support threads that work is ongoing to optimize gesture response under macOS Sequoia. Updates in beta channels include experimental gesture handling hooks bypassing some Sequoia limitations. Premium users can subscribe to the alpha build channel for early access to these fixes.
Tip: To enroll in pre-release builds:
- Open BTT > Preferences.
- Select “Alpha Versions” under the Update tab.
- Enable “Include Experimental Versions” and check manually.
Conclusion
macOS Sequoia has brought many useful changes under the hood, but it also shifted how gesture-driven utilities like BetterTouchTool operate. Fortunately, a well-documented body of user experience now offers real solutions to the problem of gesture lag. From updating software and checking permissions to tweaking internal thresholds and adjusting system behavior, the fixes can make the difference between choppy inputs and buttery-smooth control.
For those invested in customizable workflows, taking 10-15 minutes to run through these steps can return BTT to the responsive performance it’s known for—and help you regain full control over your Mac.