Remove Escape on TouchBar in Safari

Question

The question "How to disable Escape key in Safari" was asked here a few times. Now since on the new MacBook Pros the Escape key is a touchscreen button, it is much easier to press it accidentally, but there is a good chance we can actually remove it in Safari once and for all.

How to remove Escape button from TouchBar in Safari? (or any specific app)

There is no such option in Customize Touch Bar... menu:

Answer 1

You can use Karabiner-Elements [1, 2] to map escape key to some other functions with visual feedback (e.g. mute). The feedback helps to remind you that the key is not longer mapped to escape.

You can then map a less useful key to escape. For e.g. on a US keyboard, the section (§/±) key is on the top-left corner where escape key could have been.

1. Install and run Karabiner-Elements.

2. In Simple Modifications, choose No product name (No manufacturer name) as Target. That's the touchbar. Then add item, from escape to mute.

3. To map section (§/±) key to escape, choose Apple Internal Keyboard. Add item, from non_us_backslash to escape.

Source

Answer 2

Try using BetterTouchTool,

click on the 'Keyboard' tab ('Select Application' should be set to 'Global'), click on '+ Add New Shortcut or Key Sequence' click on the field and press the 'Shift-Escape' keys, a ⇧⎋ should appear move to the right where it says 'Trigger Predefined Action' and choose: 'Keyboard keys/ESC (Escape key, respects pressed modifier)'

We've just created a substitute for the 'escape' key. Now we need to disable it.

click on '+ Add New Shortcut or Key Sequence' click on the field and press the 'Escape' key on the Touchbar, a ⎋ should appear move to the right where it says 'Trigger Predefined Action' and make sure it reads: No Action

I like this way more than deactivating the entire TouchBar.

Answer 3

There's a brilliant application called BetterTouchTool that allows you to modify the touch bar. I've been able to move the escape key slightly inward using it. BTT is a paid app, but licenses aren't very expensive and they offer some discounts (e.g. student) from time to time. Here's the link.

Answer 4

To avoid accidentally pressing Esc, use Karabiner-elements to remap the Escape action to shit+Esc. But use the 'complex modification' options instead of the simple ones suggested elsewhere.

Install Karabiner -> Complex modifications -> 'Add rule' -> 'Import more rules' -> search 'escape' -> Import 'Change escape key (rev 4)' -> Enable only this: 'Disable escape(...)'

Ready, to make an Esc you now have to press shift+Esc

Answer 5

You can't remove it, it's permanent (unless viewing expanded touch bar view).

Answer 6

Download the latest Karabiner-Elements desktop application.

https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/

1. From Devices section, choose the option No product name.

2. Now go to the simple modifications section, choose the Target device as no product name. Now map the escape key to your desired key. (For example: left option, capslock, etc).