Following several years of consumer complaints, Apple has confirmed it’s repairing the “butterfly” keyboards of many MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops for free, following its new ‘Keyboard Service Program’.
Launched over the weekend, the new initiative resolves issues from the colloquially known “butterfly” keyboards, built in the last three years.
Consumers were vocal about the keyboard’s tendency to disable keys, when dust or other particles fell underneath. As previously reported, in May 2017 a band of users launched a class action against Apple over the matter.
The Californian tech giant previously advised users to blast keyboards with compressed air, or pay for a replacement keyboard.
Considered a major win, for the first time Apple has confirmed “a small percentage” of Macbook/MacBook Pro keyboards were afflicted by the error-prone keys.
Apple has informed consumers to have their MacBook/MacBook Pro examined by an authorised representative for a repair or replacement keyboard. The free replacement offer is valid for “four years after the first retail sale of the unit”.
The company has also advised consumers who paid for keyboard replacements to contact a representative for a refund.
Eligible MacBook/MacBook Pro models below:
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four 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, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
