What Is a Mouse Jiggler and How Does It Work?

If you've ever had your computer lock, your status switch to "Away", or your screen dim in the middle of something important, you've probably searched for a way to keep it awake. That's where a mouse jiggler comes in.

What Does a Mouse Jiggler Do?

A mouse jiggler is a tool that simulates small mouse movements so your computer thinks you're still active. This prevents the screen from locking, the screensaver from starting, and chat apps like Microsoft Teams or Slack from marking you as "Away" or "Inactive".

Hardware vs Software vs Browser-Based

There are three common types of mouse jigglers:

• Hardware devices – small USB sticks that physically move the mouse cursor. They work, but they cost money and many companies block unrecognized USB devices.
• Desktop software – apps you install that move the cursor automatically. The problem is that many workplaces block installing unapproved software, and some of these tools can be flagged as malware.
• Browser-based mouse jigglers – no installation, no admin rights, and nothing to download. You simply open a webpage and place your phone or tablet against your laptop's trackpad or mouse sensor.

How Our Free Online Mouse Jiggler Works

Our free online mouse jiggler displays a constantly moving pattern on your screen using HTML5 canvas. When you place your phone or tablet on top of your laptop's optical mouse sensor or trackpad, the movement on the screen is detected as activity, keeping your computer awake.

Common Uses

• Staying "Active" on Teams, Slack, or Skype during long meetings
• Preventing your screen from locking during large file transfers or renders
• Avoiding screensaver interruptions during presentations
• Keeping a remote work computer awake without VNC or remote desktop software

Want to try it yourself? Open the free mouse jiggler and place your device on your mouse sensor, no downloads required.