Apple in 2015 and 2016 introduced updated keyboards for its MacBook and MacBook Pro, debuting a butterfly key mechanism with home switches beneath each key that minimize thickness while also providing a satisfying press under the fingers. Butterfly keys were offered in Macs between 2015 and 2019.
Unfortunately, Apple's butterfly keyboards were highly controversial and were called out as one of the company's worst design decisions due to their penchant for failure due to small particulates like crumbs or heat issues. All butterfly keyboards in MacBook Pro, MacBook, and MacBook Air models introduced between 2016 and 2019 (and 2015 in the case of the MacBook) have butterfly keys that could be vulnerable to failure.
Apple in 2019 began phasing out the butterfly keyboard in favor of a scissor switch keyboard, and as of May 2020, it is no longer in use in new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. Older machines will continue to experience issues as these cannot be updated with the new scissor switch mechanisms.
What's the problem?
Butterfly keys use a butterfly mechanism that's different from the scissor mechanism used for traditional keyboards. It's called a butterfly mechanism because the components underneath the key resembles a butterfly's wings, with a hinge in the center rather than overlapping like a pair of scissors.
Apple swapped to a butterfly mechanism to make a thinner keyboard, which is possible because each key moves less when pressed so less space is needed. The keyboard provides a satisfying amount of travel and stability when each key is pressed, but unfortunately, the thin butterfly mechanism can get jammed up with crumbs, dust, and other particulates, resulting in keys that don't press properly, keys that skip keystrokes, or keys that repeat letters.
Keyboard failure is an in Apple's notebooks because replacing the keyboard requires the entire top assembly of the computer to be replaced, which is not a cheap repair.
Which Macs are affected?
All MacBook models have the potential to experience keyboard issues because the 2015 MacBook was the first machine to get a butterfly keyboard. All 2016, 2017, and 2018 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models are vulnerable to failure despite some generational changes Apple has made to the keyboard with different models, which we'll explain more below.
Apple's 2018 MacBook Air uses the same butterfly keyboard that's in the MacBook Pro, which has also been the subject of some failure complaints on Reddit and the MacRumors forums.
Note: Not all MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air owners have experienced issues with the butterfly keyboard. It is a problem that seems to be related to dust, crumb, and small particulate exposure, with some complaints of heat issues, that affects a portion of MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air owners.
According to Apple, only a "small percentage" of Mac users have experienced problems with the butterfly keyboard, but anecdotal claims and the high visibility of the issue have resulted in a public perception that most butterfly keyboards fail. This isn't true as some people have keyboards that are fine, but any Mac with a butterfly keyboard has the potential to experience issues.
What has Apple done?
Apple in June 2018 launched a keyboard repair program for MacBook and MacBook Pro models equipped with butterfly keys, and in May 2019, the program was expanded to encompass all MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air machines equipped with a butterfly keyboard, including the new 2019 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)
Customers with eligible 2015 to 2019 machines that experienced keyboard issues were able to visit an Apple retail store or Apple Authorized Service Provider to receive repairs free of charge. The repair program was a huge deal, as prior to its initiation, some customers had to pay upwards of $500 in fees to get their MacBook and MacBook Pro models repaired.
All MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air models were covered for four years from the date of purchase, so 2019 machines were covered until 2023.
What about 2018 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models?
Apple in 2018 debuted MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models that use an updated third-generation butterfly keyboard. The third-generation butterfly keyboard has a thin silicone barrier behind each key, which was put in place as an ingress-proofing measure to prevent dust from getting in the keys.
There was hope following the launch of the third-generation butterfly keyboard that it would cut down on failures, but as a recent report from The Wall Street Journal pointed out, the 2018 MacBook Pro is still prone to keyboard issues. Apple in a statement apologized, but did not outline specific repair options or future keyboard plans.
We are aware that a small number of users are having issues with their third-generation butterfly keyboard and for that we are sorry. The vast majority of Mac notebook customers are having a positive experience with the new keyboard.
It's possible 2018 machines with updated butterfly keyboards are failing less often, but 2018 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air owners still reported issues, so these models should be avoided if you're planning on buying an older machine.
What about 2019 MacBook Pro models?
Apple in May 2019 debuted new MacBook Pro models with additional improvements to the third-generation butterfly keyboard. The 2019 MacBook Pros have keyboards built with a new material that Apple claims will significantly cut down on the keyboard failures that users have seen.
Apple did not provide specific details on the material change in the updated butterfly keyboard. According to an iFixit teardown, Apple made changes to the membrane that covers the keyboard switches.
The membrane is clearer and smoother to the touch, and appears to be made with polyacetylene. There are also subtle changes to the metal dome over each key switch, perhaps designed to alleviate problems with durability, bounce-back, or other issues.
According to Apple, 2018 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air machines that experience keyboard failures can be upgraded with this new upgraded third-generation butterfly keyboard. Older machines that do not use the third-generation butterfly keyboard will not be able to be updated with the 2019 technology, but even this newer technology is prone to failure on occasion.
What do I do if my butterfly keyboard fails?
Regardless of which MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro you have, you should contact Apple support or visit an Apple retail store for repair options. Repairs will be covered if it is within four years of when you purchased your Mac. If it has been longer than that, the repair program is no longer applicable and Apple will not offer free repairs.
No more butterfly keyboards?
With the launch of the 2020 16-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and the 13-inch MacBook Air, Apple eliminated the butterfly keyboard from its notebook lineup. As of May 2020, there are no MacBooks made that feature the butterfly key mechanism, with Apple's newest machines all featuring a newer, more durable scissor switch mechanism for the keyboard, which Apple calls the "Magic Keyboard."
The scissor mechanism in the Magic Keyboard offers 1mm of key travel and a stable key feel, plus an Apple-crafted rubber dome that's designed to store more potential energy for a more responsive key press. Apple says that Magic Keyboard delivers a comfortable, satisfying, and quiet typing experience. Design wise, the keyboard is similar to the butterfly keyboard options, but there's a physical Escape key instead of a virtual key on the Touch Bar, and the Touch ID button is a separate button too.
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