The ESC key seems to universally exit fullscreen view. E.g. I have multiple fullscreen 'spaces' with a window occupying each. One of these is a browser. Pressing ESC at any time during my browsing session causes the whole fullscreen space to be exited. I can't find a way to disable this in System Preferences. It's very frustrating.
MacBook Pro 14″
The only way I can think to do this is to use a utility, such as Karabiner, Keyboard Maestro, BetterTouchTool, etc, and either totally disable the Escape key, or if you want the escape key for some apps, use one of the utilities to customize each app that you want to disable escape.
FWIW, there are a number of keyboard mapping apps for Macs that may be able to disable the Esc key such as Keyboard Maestro, Ukelele and Karabiner Elements which may suit your need. Feel free to check them out. Of course disabling the Esc key will prevent it from being used for its other functions. Not just leaving Full Screen.
As you can see from much of the chatter, the ability to Disable the ESC Key function may require some Third Party Application(s) to achieve this goal.
Otherwise, without Third Party Application(s) intervention - not possible
+1
Was about to mention Hardwired into macOS
Additionally, to all the other suggestions, Another app that might be able to achieve this is called "Typinator"
https://www.ergonis.com/products/typinator/
But agree that by doing so would disable the Escape Function system wide until changed back to its default settings.
This just explains how to enter and exit fullscreen. It doesn't explain how to disable the ESC shortcut.
Reliability is irrelevant when the channel doesn't actually contain anything related to this particular issue.
You are right, not explanation
The ESC Key is only a key being depressed by the user.
AFAIK - you would have to Reassign the ESC key function to some Other Function - if that can be done.
That or do not use the ESC key when in Full Screen Mode
Created Shortcut is not my forte
Even some of the best solutions on YouTube only seem to have a solution for Safari (and even then it's hacky) - nobody seems to be aware of any system-wide solution.
As the User ( daniel97 ) has marked one of the above replies as Best Answer a few things generally occur.
1 - This would indicate to Other Contributors that the Original question is solved and no further assistance is needed .
2 - This could also effectively cut off other Contributors from offering additional insights or explanations
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Suggest taking the time to explore the information in below link
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Randall_2023 wrote:
Additionally, to all the other suggestions, Another app that might be able to achieve this is called "Typinator"
FWIW, Typinator is a text expansion tool. Nothing to do with keyboard remapping.
The Apple documentation on using Full Screen mode
Use apps in full screen on Mac - Apple Support (CA)
If you what to explore a more Reliable Video Source - suggest using the Apple YouTube Channel
link below
Disabling 'esc to exit fullscreen' shortcut on macOS
