[HIGH] [SDL #6650] ELAN touchpad does not generate mouse events

[Chevalier12]

Tracking upstream SDL issue libsdl-org#6650

• Priority: HIGH — provisional triage from SDL-OPEN-ISSUES-PRIORITIES.md, NOT an official SDL severity.
• Source: ELAN touchpad does not generate mouse events libsdl-org/SDL#6650
• Original title: ELAN touchpad does not generate mouse events
• Reported by: hinxx
• Upstream state at capture: open; state reason:
• Created: 2022-11-26T13:46:58.0000000Z; updated: 2024-10-06T17:04:15.0000000Z
• Snapshot captured: 2026-09-07T17:43:52.0214043Z
• Upstream labels:
• Upstream milestone (not affected versions): 3.x (https://github.com/libsdl-org/SDL/milestone/6)
• Upstream assignees: slouken
• Upstream comments included: 2
• Locked: False; lock reason:
• Triage rationale: Input absent sau rezultate de randare greșite raportate; verificați regresia și scenariul activ.

This is an attributed tracking copy, not a locally reproduced or confirmed Graphix defect. Applicability, affected versions and ownership still require validation. No automatic synchronization or resolution is implied. Original descriptions and comments are preserved literally in Markdown code blocks to avoid notifying mentioned users or resolving SDL references against Graphix. Attachments, logs, patches and other linked resources remain at their original URLs; external resource contents and edit/event histories are not copied.

Graphix validation checklist

• Read the current upstream issue and discussion.
• Establish affected versions/platforms and whether Graphix is affected.
• Reproduce the reported behavior and identify the invariant owner.
• Implement an ownership-correct fix or document an upstream/external resolution.
• Verify regression coverage and applicable platform/runtime gates.

Original description

I'm trying to use evdev device `Input device name: "ELAN1300:00 04F3:3059 Touchpad"` in a Linux console. Testing with SDL2 `testsprite2` application.

I added `SDL_SetHint(SDL_HINT_TOUCH_MOUSE_EVENTS, "1");` before the call to `SDLTest_CommonCreateState`.

It seems that `SDL_SendTouch` and `SDL_SendTouchMotion` are called from `SDL_EVDEV_Poll` but then the `SDL_SendMouseButton` and `SDL_SendMouseMotion` are not called because `window` is NULL.

Is there a way to use the touchpad in Linux console and have it report/mimic mouse buttons and movement just like in X11?

Original discussion (chronological)

Original comment by slouken

Source: libsdl-org#6650 (comment)
Created: 2023-11-07T23:50:30.0000000Z; updated: 2023-11-07T23:50:30.0000000Z; association: COLLABORATOR

I'll look at why we don't deliver events with a NULL window.

Original comment by slouken

Source: libsdl-org#6650 (comment)
Created: 2024-10-06T17:04:12.0000000Z; updated: 2024-10-06T17:04:12.0000000Z; association: COLLABORATOR

We are scoping work for the SDL 3.2.0 release, so please let us know if this is a showstopper for you.