Apple has officially ended its free repair program for the butterfly keyboard in older MacBook models. These keyboards often malfunctioned and were the source of numerous complaints.
The program was available for many MacBook models sold between 2015 and 2020. The butterfly mechanism has significant durability issues, with noticeable flaws arising within a year of use. Repairs are still possible, but now at a cost. Here are the affected models:
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2015)
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, early 2016)
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
- MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
- MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
In 2015, Apple introduced the 12-inch MacBook, featuring a new switch mechanism keyboard. At that time, Apple’s CEO Phil Schiller claimed that the new keyboard was 40% thinner than the traditional scissor-switch design and four times more durable. However, complaints soon began to accumulate.
The issues with the new keyboard persisted even after Apple unveiled its second generation in the 2016 MacBook Pro. Common complaints included sticky keys and typing errors, notably unexpected characters appearing, as well as dirt accumulation. The problem grew so severe that after a class action lawsuit in 2018, Apple implemented a free repair program, which remained active for four years after the company ceased sales of MacBooks with defective keys.
The class action lawsuit was settled in July 2022. Users who replaced multiple keyboards at their own expense were eligible for a maximum payout of $395. Those who replaced one keyboard received $125. Even if only a single keycap was replaced, users could still receive $50. Payments began to be distributed in August 2024.
Only MacBook owners from the states of California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Washington were eligible for reimbursement. Since Apple moved away from the butterfly mechanism, users have reported very few complaints about the reliability of MacBook keyboards.
Sources: Apple Insider, MacRumors
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