How to Disable a MacBook TrackPad When a Mouse or Wireless Trackpad is Connected

Apple’s MacBooks are thin, light, and portable, but they are also powerful systems that can provide a great computing experience at home. Thanks to features like Thunderbolt and accessories like docking stations, many users connect their MacBooks to a large external display and a mouse or trackpad. When connected to a mouse or wireless trackpad, a MacBook’s built-in trackpad will still work, providing a second method of cursor input. Depending on how you have your MacBook positioned, however, this may be troublesome, as a misplaced hand or the paw of your friendly household pet may trigger unwanted cursor movement.

Thankfully, you can configure OS X to automatically turn off your MacBook’s built-in trackpad when a mouse or wireless trackpad is connected, and then turn the built-in trackpad back on when you disconnect your mouse or trackpad and head out the door.

Disable a MacBook Trackpad in OS X Lion and Above

In all versions of OS X from 10.7 Lion and up (including OS X Yosemite), head to System Preferences > Accessibility > Mouse & Trackpad. There, find and check the box labeled Ignore built-in trackpad when mouse or wireless trackpad is present.

There’s no need to save or reboot; the new option will take effect immediately. With this box checked, your MacBook’s built-in trackpad will be automatically turned off when you connect a mouse (USB or wireless) or a wireless trackpad to your Mac. The built-in trackpad will automatically start working again once the mouse or external trackpad is disconnected.

Disable a MacBook Trackpad in OS X Snow Leopard

Although the outcome is the same, the process to enable this option is a little bit different for Snow Leopard. Head to System Preferences > Universal Access > Mouse & Trackpad. There, find and check Ignore built-in trackpad when mouse or wireless trackpad is present.

Want news and tips from TekRevue delivered directly to your inbox? Sign up for the TekRevue Weekly Digest using the box below. Get tips, reviews, news, and giveaways reserved exclusively for subscribers.

Sean Willis

thanks!
IMI Computer

Update for Mac OS X Lion 10.7.5 TrackPad:
The option is available in “SYSTEM PREFERENCES > UNIVERSAL ACCESS > MOUSE & TRACKPAD > TRACKPAD OPTIONS…”
AppleG

I followed these instructions but they did not solve this problem for me. I finally got it working by following the instructions here http://applemacosx.com/2015/12/02/how-to-disable-trackpad-on-mac/
- TekRevue
  
  Well that’s interesting, because the site you linked to had the exact same instructions as mentioned in this article, so I’m going to assume that you’re trying to spread link spam. Thanks for that.
Gabriel Sardinha

Thanks, it helped.
starman4

Thank you!
Steve Zagieboylo

Thanks! I’ve been looking for this for ages.