diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/gui/application/gui_application.cpp b/apps/desktop/src/gui/application/gui_application.cpp
index 5cc200e8..322d2e45 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/gui/application/gui_application.cpp
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/gui/application/gui_application.cpp
@@ -3112,8 +3112,10 @@ void GuiApplication::SyncStreamWindow() {
   }
   const ConnectionStatus status = props->connection_status_.load();
   bool remote_update_available = false;
+  HostPlatform remote_platform = HostPlatform::Unknown;
   if (status == ConnectionStatus::Connected) {
     std::lock_guard lock(props->remote_version_mutex_);
+    remote_platform = props->remote_platform_;
     // Wait for host_info: a version still in transit is not a legacy peer.
     if (props->remote_host_info_received_ && !props->remote_update_dismissed_) {
       remote_update_available = props->remote_app_version_.empty() ||
@@ -3176,7 +3178,7 @@ void GuiApplication::SyncStreamWindow() {
         props->remote_cursor_state_received_;
     if (remote_cursor_active) {
       remote_cursor_shape = static_cast<int>(
-          props->cursor_presentation_.Resolve(SDL_GetTicks()));
+          props->cursor_presentation_.Resolve(SDL_GetTicks(), remote_platform));
     }
   }
   (*ui_->stream)->set_remote_cursor_active(remote_cursor_active);
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/cursor_presentation.h b/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/cursor_presentation.h
index 0f37df2b..48333b30 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/cursor_presentation.h
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/cursor_presentation.h
@@ -33,6 +33,15 @@ class CursorPresentation {
     const bool separate =
         state.render_mode == CursorRenderMode::separate ||
         (state.render_mode == CursorRenderMode::legacy && state.visible);
+    system_hidden_ = state.render_mode == CursorRenderMode::hidden &&
+                     state.hidden_reason == CursorHiddenReason::system_hidden;
+    if (separate) {
+      mac_locator_allowed_ = state.shape != RemoteCursorShape::none;
+    } else if (!system_hidden_) {
+      // Embedded cursors and other hiding policies end the separate-cursor
+      // history. A later system_hidden sample must not revive that overlay.
+      mac_locator_allowed_ = false;
+    }
     // Old senders cannot distinguish embedded from hidden. Only explicit
     // metadata from a new sender can establish the no-device compatibility
     // case.
@@ -47,9 +56,21 @@ class CursorPresentation {
 
   void NoteInput(uint64_t now) { last_input_ = now; }
 
-  RemoteCursorShape Resolve(uint64_t now) {
+  RemoteCursorShape Resolve(uint64_t now, HostPlatform remote_platform) {
     if (!stale_at_) return RemoteCursorShape::default_cursor;
 
+    // macOS can keep its system cursor hidden after typing even while remote
+    // mouse events move it. Keep a previously separate desktop locator across
+    // those heartbeats; the video has no pointer to fall back to. On a new
+    // connection, use an arrow until the first visible shape arrives. The
+    // protocol cannot distinguish typing from other system_hidden cases;
+    // restrict this policy to identified Mac hosts and stop on any explicit
+    // embedded cursor or other hiding policy.
+    if (remote_platform == HostPlatform::MacOS && system_hidden_ &&
+        mac_locator_allowed_) {
+      return last_visible_shape_;
+    }
+
     const bool recent_input =
         last_input_ && now - *last_input_ < kInputActivityMs;
     const bool can_recover =
@@ -64,6 +85,8 @@ class CursorPresentation {
 
  private:
   bool sample_unavailable_ = false;
+  bool system_hidden_ = false;
+  bool mac_locator_allowed_ = true;
   bool no_device_ = false;
   bool fallback_engaged_ = false;
   std::optional<uint64_t> stale_at_;
@@ -74,4 +97,4 @@ class CursorPresentation {
 
 }  // namespace crossdesk
 
-#endif
\ No newline at end of file
+#endif