Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about HoverSelect.
1. Usage
Does HoverSelect interfere with normal mouse dragging or clicking?
HoverSelect is only active while holding your designated modifier key.
Once you release the key, your mouse immediately returns to standard macOS behavior.
How does it work with apps that have shortcut conflicts, like Figma or games?
You can use the Excluded Apps list to automatically disable HoverSelect in specific apps.
You can also temporarily pause HoverSelect anytime directly from the macOS menu bar.
Can I still use the standard Command-C and Command-V shortcuts?
Yes.
HoverSelect does not replace or modify your default macOS keyboard shortcuts.
Standard copy and paste continues to work as always, giving you an effortless additional way to work.
2. Compatibility
Does it work across Chrome, Safari, Slack, and Notion?
HoverSelect works with most apps that expose text through the macOS Accessibility API, including Chrome, Safari, Slack, Notion, and VS Code.
When text isn’t directly accessible, Capture to Text can extract it using on-device OCR.
3. Privacy & Permissions
Why does HoverSelect require macOS Accessibility permission?
HoverSelect uses the macOS Accessibility API to inspect the text and selectable range directly beneath your cursor, allowing it to interact seamlessly with supported applications.
Is my copied text or clipboard data ever sent to an external server?
No. Text selection, clipboard actions, and OCR processing happen on-device on your Mac. HoverSelect does not upload your text to external servers.
Why does the Capture to Text feature require Screen Recording permission?
Capture to Text uses macOS Screen Recording permission solely to capture the specific screen region you select and recognize the text using on-device OCR.
This permission is only used when recognizing visible text on screen.
4. Performance
Does HoverSelect use noticeable CPU or battery in the background?
HoverSelect is built natively for macOS with Swift and AppKit, and intensive text processing occurs only while you are actively holding the modifier key. Actual resource usage is minimal and efficient for all-day use.
5. Features
Can I select entire paragraphs as well as sentences?
Yes.
HoverSelect supports both sentence and paragraph selection modes, allowing you to choose your desired text unit with designated modifier keys.
Can I expand or contract the text selection range?
Yes.
With Scroll Expand, you can scroll your mouse wheel or trackpad while holding the modifier key to dynamically expand or adjust your selection range.
Can I copy text from images or non-selectable graphics on screen?
Yes.
The Capture to Text feature lets you drag a rectangular region anywhere on your screen to extract and copy text instantly via native macOS OCR.
Recognition accuracy depends on image clarity, font, and language.
Can I collect and combine multiple snippets into one copy?
Yes.
The Multi Collect feature allows you to select several sentences across different sections in sequence, merging them seamlessly into a single clipboard payload.
6. Purchase & License
Is HoverSelect subscription-based?
No.
HoverSelect is offered as a single, one-time purchase with lifetime access.
Can I use one license across multiple Macs?
Yes.
A single personal license can be used on up to 3 personal Mac devices.
Still have questions?
We’re here to help you get the most out of your Mac workflow.
Download HoverSelect for Mac