Disable auto-power on when touching literally anything on the keyboard

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Disable auto-power on when touching literally anything on the keyboard

It seems tapping literally any key, even the touchpad, turns on modern-day MacBooks (in this case a MacBook Air 13" M3 2024). Is there a way to disable this "feature"? What if I want to clean the keyboard (which should be done when power is off)? Or anything else that requires pressing keys while a laptop is off? Do I need to drain the battery power just to do this?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 26.1

Posted on Dec 1, 2025 2:48 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 1, 2025 4:42 PM in response to Connor Hawke

This is not a feature that can be disabled.

It has been suggested that when you wish to clean the keyboard, you set the Mac to display the Lock Screen by clicking Apple  menu > Lock Screen or keystroke control-command-Q (⌃⌘Q). There's little chance of making some errant keystroke when the Mac is locked.

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