To lock and unlock the keyboard on a Mac, you can follow these steps:
1. Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen.
2. From the drop-down menu, select “System Preferences.”
3. In the System Preferences window, click on the “Security & Privacy” icon.
4. The Security & Privacy window will open with the “General” tab selected. If the padlock icon in the bottom left corner of the window is locked, click on it and enter your administrator password when prompted to unlock it.
5. Once the padlock is unlocked, you can check the box next to “Require password [time period] after sleep or screen saver begins.” This will enable automatic keyboard lock when your Mac goes to sleep or the screen saver activates. You can choose the time period from the drop-down menu.
6. If you want to manually lock the keyboard, you can also check the box next to “Show keychain status in menu bar.” This will add a padlock icon to your menu bar, which you can click to quickly lock your keyboard.
7. To unlock the keyboard, simply move your mouse or press any key on the keyboard. If you have set a password for your user account, you may need to enter it to unlock the keyboard.
It’s worth noting that locking the keyboard on a Mac primarily prevents unauthorized access to your computer when you step away from it. It does not disable the physical keys or prevent any other input devices connected to your Mac from functioning.
I personally find the keyboard lock feature useful when I need to step away from my Mac temporarily but want to ensure that no one can access my computer without my permission. It provides an added layer of security and peace of mind.
Locking and unlocking the keyboard on a Mac is a straightforward process. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily enable automatic keyboard lock or manually lock and unlock your keyboard as needed.