Keyboard locking is a feature that lets you temporarily disable input on your keyboard. This feature is handy when you’re doing something that requires a lot of focus and don’t want any accidental keystroke to disrupt your work. So, how do you lock the keyboard on your Mac?
Apple does not have a solution for locking the keyboard on its Mac PCs. So, to lock the keyboard on your Mac, you must download a third-party app. You can use several apps like Keyboard Lock for Mac, Alfred, etc.
Locking your MacBook keyboard comes in handy when you least expect it. When you lock your Mac keyboard, people will still be able to use the apps but wouldn’t be able to do anything that requires using the keyboard. This article elaborates more on the steps to lock the keyboard on Mac.
Steps To Lock the Keyboard on a Mac
Knowing how to lock and unlock your keyboard on a Mac is essential for security reasons. When you lock your keyboard, you restrict anyone from performing specific changes on your PC without your notice. Even though it will still be possible to watch a video or listen to music, it is impossible to use apps that require a keyboard.
There are several third-party apps you can download to lock your Mac keyboard. So, the steps to lock your Mac keyboard are slightly different for different apps. But generally, you can use these three steps below to lock your Mac’s keyboard.
Step #1: Download the Third-Party App
The first step to locking your Mac keyboard is to find a third-party app that suits you. Out of the many third-party apps that let you lock your Mac keyboard, some are paid, while some are free. So, if you are not comfortable spending for the premium version, use the free version. For example, Alfred offers a free version and a paid option. Keyboard Lock for Mac, on the other hand, is free to use.
When you find a third-party app to use, you can then proceed to download it from the App Store or the app manufacturer’s website. Provided the third-party app manufacturer is trusted, you shouldn’t have any issue downloading its app from its official website.
Step #2: Type “Disable” in the Search Bar
Next, after downloading the app, you need to find the option to lock your keyboard in the app. Different apps place this option in different parts of their app. So, if the app you downloaded features a search bar, you can utilize it to get to the option faster. You must type the word “Disable” in the search bar and click on “Search”. From the displayed result, click on the option closest to keyboard settings.
Step #3: Enable the Keyboard Lock
Finally, check the box on the “Disable internal keyboard” or any other option similar to this. Checking this box enables your device to lock your keyboard. You can also uncheck the box later if you want to use your keyboard again.
Some third-party apps may allow you to use shortcuts like Ctrl + Command + Q to lock or some other shortcut. Check the settings option to know what shortcut will work with the installed app to lock your keyboard.
Conclusion
As you can see from this guide, locking your Mac’s keyboard is pretty straightforward. While Apple does not integrate an option to lock your Mac, you can use several third-party apps. So, when you want to clean your keyboard, or if it’s malfunctioning, you can temporarily lock it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you plug in an external keyboard to your Mac PC, it will not lock your internal keyboard. Hence, it is possible to use an external and internal keyboard simultaneously. However, it is possible to use Settings or a third-party app to disable your internal keyboard when an external keyboard is connected to it.
When you want to clean your keyboard, you should either turn off your Mac or lock your keyboard to prevent accidental keystrokes. You should also avoid using abrasive towels or paper towels to clean your keyboard; instead, use a lint-free cloth. Also, avoid excessive wipes while cleaning to prevent scratches. And if you are cleaning it with a liquid substance, avoid using it near any opening on your PC.
If you suspect your keyboard is locked but have tried to unlock it to no avail, you can try plugging in an external keyboard. Cleaning your laptop’s keyboard can help fix the problem.
You can also check your PC settings for a hardware-related issue by running diagnostics. Restarting your PC can also help to fix the problem.
