1. Turn off the trackpad when using an external mouse
This is how Apple officially supports it.
* Open System Settings (System Settings)
* Select Accessibility
* Select Pointer Control (Pointer Control)
* Select Mouse & Trackpad
* Enable the Ignore built-in trackpad when mouse or wireless trackpad is present option
When a USB mouse is plugged in or a Bluetooth mouse is connected, the trackpad will be automatically disabled.
2. Shut down completely using Terminal
macOS does not provide the option to completely disable the trackpad in the interface.
Open Terminal and run:
sudo defaults write com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad TrackpadThreeFingerDrag -bool false
However, this command only turns off some features, does not completely disable the trackpad.
3. Turn off using administrator command
Check the device:
ioreg -l | grep -i trackpad
Or unload the driver (not recommended because it may cause loss of control):
sudo kextunload /System/Library/Extensions/AppleUSBMultitouch.kext
⚠️ New macOS (Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia) often does not allow SIP-protected system drivers to be unloaded.
4. The fastest way if the trackpad is messed up
* Connect USB/Bluetooth mouse
* Enable Ignore built-in trackpad option
* Or use an external keyboard to control
Check macOS version
Press:
sw_vers
or
> About This Mac
Let me know which macOS you are using (Sonoma, Sequoia, Ventura...) and MacBook Intel or Apple Silicon M1/M2/M3/M4, I will show you the most suitable way to turn it off completely.
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