Disabling the trackpad from the command line

How can I disable the trackpad (without restarting my computer) from the command-line on OS X Mavericks?


Try to use the following Code

sudo kextunload /System/Library/Extensions/AppleUSBMultitouch.kext/


The following commands have the same effect as checking the "Ignore built-in trackpad when mouse or wireless trackpad is present" option in the Accessibility panel of System Preferences:

$ defaults write com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad USBMouseStopsTrackpad 1
$ defaults write com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad USBMouseStopsTrackpad 1

To re-enable the trackpad:

$ defaults write com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad USBMouseStopsTrackpad 0
$ defaults write com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad USBMouseStopsTrackpad 0

You can disable your trackpad when an external mouse/trackpad is present:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3608

For whatever reason you'd wish to disable your trackpad, even if no other device is attached:
https://superuser.com/questions/606338/unix-terminal-how-to-disable-trackpad