The Shortcut Collision
Spotlight is macOS’s powerful, built-in search engine, capable of finding local files, performing calculations, and searching the web. By default, it is triggered by pressing Command (Cmd) + Space. While incredibly useful for general computing, this specific key combination is a massive problem for power users, developers, and bilingual typists. In many code editors, Cmd + Space is used to trigger autocomplete menus. For users who frequently type in multiple languages, this exact shortcut was historically used (and is still preferred by many) to switch input methods. When you try to run your macro or change your keyboard language, the massive Spotlight bar rudely explodes across the center of your screen instead.
Unbinding the Keys
To reclaim this crucial keyboard real estate and disable the Spotlight search shortcut completely on macOS, you must unbind it within the Keyboard Shortcuts menu.
Click the Apple logo in the extreme top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. In the left-hand navigation sidebar, scroll down and click on Keyboard. On the right-hand panel, click the button labelled Keyboard Shortcuts… to open a new modal window. In the left sidebar of this new window, select Spotlight. You will see “Show Spotlight search” listed with its assigned shortcut (Cmd + Space) to the right. Simply click the small checkbox next to “Show Spotlight search” to uncheck it. Click Done at the bottom. The change is instant. Pressing Cmd + Space will now do absolutely nothing natively, allowing your third-party apps or custom language scripts to utilize the shortcut without interference.