2018 and Newer MacBook Pro and MacBook Air Now Eligible for Apple's Keyboard Service Program

Apple today extended its Keyboard Service Program to all MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models equipped with any generation of its butterfly mechanism keyboard, not long after apologizing over the issues.

macbookairkeyboard
This means 2018 ‌MacBook Air‌, 2018 ‌MacBook Pro‌, or just-announced 2019 MacBook Pro models that experience keyboard issues such as sticky or inconsistently responding keys now qualify for free repairs up to four years after the original purchase date worldwide, regardless of warranty status.

Eligible Models

  • MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, Early 2015)

  • MacBook (Retina, 12­-inch, Early 2016)

  • MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, 2017)

  • ‌MacBook Air‌ (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)

  • ‌MacBook Pro‌ (13­-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)

  • ‌MacBook Pro‌ (13-­inch, 2017, 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)

To address the underlying issues, Apple said it has changed the material in the 2019 ‌MacBook Pro‌ keyboard's butterfly mechanism to "substantially reduce problems that some users have seen," according to The Loop.

The new keyboard design on the 2019 ‌MacBook Pro‌ is still classified as "third generation" like the 2018 ‌MacBook Pro‌ and 2018 ‌MacBook Air‌. Owners of the 2018 ‌MacBook Pro‌ and 2018 ‌MacBook Air‌ can have their keyboards replaced with ones that have the new materials during repair, according to The Verge.

To initiate a keyboard repair, visit the Get Support page on Apple's website to book a Genius Bar or Apple Authorized Service Provider appointment.

Related Roundups: MacBook Pro, MacBook Air
Related Forums: MacBook Pro, MacBook Air

Popular Stories

New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18

18 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18.2

Wednesday November 13, 2024 2:09 am PST by
Apple is set to release iOS 18.2 next month, bringing the second round of Apple Intelligence features to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models. This update brings several major advancements to Apple's AI integration, including completely new image generation tools and a range of Visual Intelligence-based enhancements. There are a handful of new non-AI related feature controls incoming as well....
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases Firmware Updates for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Monday November 11, 2024 11:28 am PST by
Apple today released firmware updates for both AirPods 4 models (version number 7B20) and the AirPods Pro 2 with both Lightning and USB-C charging cases (version number 7B21). All of these AirPods models were previously on firmware version 7B19. It is not immediately clear what new features or changes are included in firmware versions 7B20 and 7B21, but we will update this story if we find...
iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 Camera Modules to Enter Mass Production Next Month

Tuesday November 12, 2024 2:56 am PST by
Apple's camera module supplier for the upcoming iPhone SE 4 is set to begin mass production of the components in December, according to a new report coming out of Korea. Economic newspaper Ajunews reports that LG Innotek will supply the front camera module for the budget-friendly fourth-generation device. Final tests are now said to be underway, with mass production of the module following...
airpods pro spring blue

Apple Customers Sue Over Unfixed AirPods Pro Crackling Issue

Wednesday November 13, 2024 11:01 am PST by
A trio of Apple customers this month filed a class action lawsuit against Apple, accusing the Cupertino company of violating California consumer protection laws and false advertising for continuing to sell AirPods Pro models that had ongoing issues with crackling or static sounds. A few months after the AirPods Pro came out in October 2019, buyers began to complain about crackling, rattling, ...
iPad iOS 16 WP Display Feature eric edit

Apple to Launch AI-Powered Home 'Command Center' as Soon as March 2025

Tuesday November 12, 2024 1:09 pm PST by
Apple is planning to launch an AI-powered smart home display as soon as March 2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The display will measure in at approximately six inches, and while it is similar to an iPad, it is square rather than rectangular and it has thick bezels around the edges. There is a camera at the top front so that it can be used for FaceTime, plus there are internal speakers...
new mac holiday

The Best Early Black Friday Mac Deals

Monday November 11, 2024 7:45 am PST by
Black Friday is getting closer, and prices on MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, and Mac mini computers have started to drop as the shopping holiday nears. These deals include the latest models of the M4 MacBook Pro and iMac. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site...
maxresdefault

M4 Max MacBook Pro: Real-World Usage Tests

Wednesday November 13, 2024 11:59 am PST by
Apple last week replaced the M3 Max MacBook Pro with the new M4 Max MacBook Pro, and we picked up one of the new high-end MacBook Pro machines to see how it compares to the prior model with both benchmarks and real-world tests. We tested an M4 Max with a 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, and 48GB RAM against an M3 Max MacBook Pro with similar specs. The two machines look similar, but the display on...
iOS 18

Here's Everything New in iOS 18.2 Beta 3

Monday November 11, 2024 4:53 pm PST by
Apple seeded the third betas of iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 to developers for testing today. While the third betas of each update are minor relative to the first two betas, there are still a handful of changes across the Photos app, TV app, and more. A corresponding iOS 18.2 public beta with these changes will likely be released later this week, and Apple previously confirmed that the software...
final cut pro magnetic mask

Apple Releases Final Cut Pro 11 for Mac

Wednesday November 13, 2024 3:02 pm PST by
Apple today announced the launch of major updates for its Final Cut Pro video editing software designed for Macs and iPads. Final Cut Pro has been version 10 since 2011, but after 13 years, Apple is finally ready to debut Final Cut Pro 11. Apple first teased a new version of Final Cut Pro when introducing the new M4 Macs in October, and now the updated software is available for download with ...

Top Rated Comments

moabal Avatar
72 months ago
This definitely sparks confidence in the durability of these keyboards. "Sarcasm"
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Stephen.R Avatar
72 months ago
This definitely sparks confidence in the durability of these keyboards. "Sarcasm"
I don’t understand?

They admit there is a problem, explain that they’ve changed materials used, extended the service program and will even swap a 2018 model to use the same new material as the 2019 model if yours needs repairs.

How does that not inspire confidence that (a) they’ll look after you long after the warranty runs out, and (b) will try to prevent reoccurrence by using the newer parts.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maerz001 Avatar
72 months ago
People these days are more awaiting next generation keyboard design than CPU.

How many generations does it take for Apple to get pre-butterfly quality?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Blaze4G Avatar
72 months ago
Why is Apple doing this?! Especially for free!?

Based on many members here, the keyboard issue is a tiny percentage and is not a design fault. So why would a manufacturer do free repairs and its not because of their bad design?!

Apple needs to rethink this. They make a product that does not have a design fault and should not replace customers keyboards for free.

/sarcasm.

Forgot to add in...Apple stock is doing great so that means their keyword is not design fault. They had record revenues so their keyboards are perfect.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sracer Avatar
72 months ago
I’d suggest it’s a preventative measure, to know that issues will be fixed immediately if it happens.

If they didn’t include it in the program would you believe them any more if they said it was “fixed”?
Yes... because it would show that Apple is confident that they resolved the issue. But what they've said is, "should significantly reduce", indicating that they themselves aren't confident that this issue (that only affects a small handful of people) is finally and completely resolved.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pepe4life Avatar
72 months ago
But I thought only a “small percentage” of customers were affected???
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)