# Disable the built-in keyboard on my Mac so I can set my external keyboard ontop of it

> How to disable the built-in Mac keyboard so you can set your external keyboard on top of it.

Source: https://curiouslychase.com/posts/disable-the-built-in-keyboard-on-my-mac-so-i-can-set-my-external-keyboard-ontop-of-it/

I use [Karabiner Elements](https://curiouslychase.com/posts/karabiner-elements/) to disable my built-in Mac keyboard when I'm on the go so that I can set my [KeyboardIO Atreus (Mechanical Keyboard)](https://curiouslychase.com/tools/keyboardio-atreus-mechanical-keyboard/) on top of it.

To do this (after installing [Karabiner Elements](https://curiouslychase.com/posts/karabiner-elements/)):

- Make sure your keyboard is plugged in (if physical connection) or enabled (if bluetooth)
- open the Karabiner Elements settings and click **Devices > Advanced**. 
- Under **Disable the built-in keyboard**, select set the toggle to on, so that it is a darker gray.
- Now, whenever your external keyboard is connected, your Mac's built-in keyboard will be disabled and it won't experience any keypresses from the built-in keyboard.