How To Disable Keyboard On MacBook? (2 New Methods In 2023)

In the past, it was very easy to disable the MacBook keyboard, but it has become more difficult in the latest macOS after the Big Sur update.

Some websites claim that the Control + F1 method will work, but we have discovered this is not true.

MacBook keyboard can only be disabled using Apple scripts on the terminal and third-party apps. According to our research, these are the only and best ways to disable the Mac keyboard.

This article discusses each method step-by-step and addresses all misconceptions surrounding the Control+F1 method. Stay connected till the end to know how to disable the keyboard on MacBook.

So let’s jump into it.

Be Tension-Free: Disable Your Mac Keyboard

Follow these methods to disable the keyboard on your MacBook:

Method 1: Using Apple Script On Terminal

This method is the most effective method of disabling the Mac keyboard. It involves entering an Apple Script command on your Mac terminal.

Follow the below-mentioned step-by-step guide to disable your keyboard using the terminal.

1. Open the Terminal on your Mac.
2. Enter this command.
3. sudo kextunload /System/Library/Extensions/AppleUSBTopCase.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleUSBTCKeyboard.kext/

4. After that, you’ll be prompted to enter your password, and your Mac keyboard will be disabled.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Apps

This is also the most effective and our favorite method of disabling the Mac keyboard. This is because most methods no longer work, so the next best thing is to take the help of third-party apps.

There are some free apps on App Store that you can download and install on your Mac. Some of which are:

1. Karabiner-Elements

When searching, this app often comes up. This open-source, free app lets you customize your keyboard to suit your needs.

This works great. We downloaded it, installed it, and were able to disable the keyboard by following these steps:

1. Download the Karabiner-Elements to a specific folder. 
2. Double-click the installer you just downloaded. 
3. Drag the app icon to the Applications folder. This will open the installer. 
4. Click Continue, and the installation will start on your Mac. 
5. Open the Karabiner. It’s the blue icon that says KEY on the launchpad. 
6. Search Disable in the search bar, which is available near the window’s top-left corner. A list of results will appear.

7. Check the box showing the VMware Virtual USB keyboard (VMware).

After performing the above steps, your Mac keyboard will be disabled whenever you plug in your external keyboard.

1. Keyboard Locker

Keyboard locker is also an effective app for locking your MacBook keyboard. With this app, we were able to disable the keyboard easily.

Another amazing thing about this app is that it will unlock the keyboard for the new window and only lock the original one.

1. Keyboard Clean

Last but not least, Keyboard Clean is also an effective app for disabling the Mac keyboard. Although we didn’t test this app, we’re sure it’ll perform better than other apps.

You can download and install it on your Mac to disable your keyboard.

How To Enable MacBook Keyboard?

After disabling it, when you want to enable the MacBook keyboard, follow these steps:

1. Open the terminal on your Mac.
2. Enter this code.
3. sudo kextload /System/Library/Extensions/AppleUSBTopCase.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleUSBTCKeyboard.kext
4. That’s it.

After entering this code in your terminal, your Mac keyboard will be enabled again.

Misconceptions About The Control + F1 Method

When attempting to disable the keyboard on your Maca, you may come across information on many websites suggesting pressing the Control + F1 keys.

But, despite these claims, it seems that this information is incorrect.

After spending a lot of time on deep research and experimentation with various settings, we cannot disable our keyboard using this method.

Also, it appears that many people cannot disable their keyboards using this method, indicating that this shortcut is incorrect. 

So, the setting’s instructions may be poorly worded, and this feature is not intended to disable the keyboard of your Mac.

If you go to keyboard settings, you will see that pressing Control + F1 will not disable the keyboard but is disabled the other function key settings of your keyboard.

Therefore, using the Control + F1 shortcut will not disable your keyboard. Although we’re not sure whether this method works on previous versions of macOS, based on our experience, it seems that it only affects the Function keys.

Why Would I Need To Disable My Mac Keyboard?

If you have landed on this page searching for a way to disable your keyboard, you will likely have a good reason for doing so. Below are some of the most common reasons why someone might want to disable their keyboard:

1. To Use an External Keyboard 

One of the most common reasons for disabling your keyboard is if you want to use an external keyboard. 

While having both keyboards active simultaneously can increase the likelihood of accidentally hitting the built-in keys, especially if you use a smaller laptop or notebook. 

2. To Prevent Accidental Key Presses 

There may be times when you want to prevent children or pets from accidentally pressing keys on your keyboard. 

Inadvertently pressing keys can interfere with your work, possibly causing data loss or corruption. Disabling the keyboard can be an effective way to prevent accidental key presses. 

3. To Work Around a Broken or Damaged Keyboard

 If your keyboard is broken or damaged due to a spill or other incident, it may not function properly, preventing you from using your MacBook. 

In this case, disabling the keyboard can temporarily be a solution until you can connect an external keyboard or repair your built-in keyboard. 

Disabling your keyboard may be necessary for various reasons, including using an external keyboard, preventing accidental key presses, or working around a broken or damaged keyboard. 

By understanding why you might need to disable your keyboard, you can take the necessary steps to do so effectively.

If you want to know how to change iPhone keyboard background, click here to see our full guide.

How To Disable Keyboard On MacBook Pro?

On MacBook Pro, you can disable the keyboard by following these methods:

• Using Apple Script on the terminal.
• With the help of third-party applications.

These are the methods you can use to disable the keyboard on the MacBook Pro. You can try the other if any of these don’t work for you.

How To Access Terminal On Mac?

Follow these simple steps to open the terminal on your Mac:

1. Click the Launchpad icon in the Dock and type terminal in the search field.
2. Click on a terminal.

Can You Temporarily Disable it On MacBook?

Yes. It is possible to temporarily disable the keyboard on your MacBook, and you can achieve this by using Apple Script and third-party applications.

Some apps that temporarily disable your Mac keyboard include Karabiner elements, keyboard clean, and keyboard locker.

These apps not only enable you to disable your Mac keyboard, but they also offer the ability to modify it.

Can I Disable A Single Key On My Keyboard MacBook?

Yes. It is possible to disable a single key on your MacBook keyboard, but it may not be a straightforward task.

 While some keys, such as Caps Lock, Control, Option, Command, and Function keys, can be remapped or disabled natively, others require using third-party apps such as Karabiner. 

Karabiner is a simple and effective app that allows you to remap or disable keys on your keyboard. However, if you prefer not to use a third-party app, you can disable a single key from System Preferences by following these steps:

1. Go to System Preferences. 
2. Click on Keyboard. 
3. Go to Modifier keys. 
4. Select the key you want. 
5. Click on No action.

How To Force Quit Mac Without A Mac Keyboard?

In case your keyboard is disabled or locked, and you want to force quit Mac, then follow these simple steps:

1. Use your trackpad to click the Apple icon in the upper left corner.
2. Select Force Quit.

And when your keyboard is enabled, simply press the Option, Command, and Esc (Escape) keys together.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Words

The article concluded that the MacBook keyboard could only be disabled using Apple scripts on the terminal and third-party apps. 

Hopefully, now you should know how to disable the keyboard on MacBook and all the related queries. The above guide is based on our experience, experiments, and deep research, and we’re sure you’ll benefit greatly from it.