Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.



If you purchased a 12-inch MacBook or MacBook Pro with Retina display and have experienced issues with the anti-reflective coating wearing off or delaminating, Apple may repair the notebook free of charge.

MacBook-Pro-anti-reflective-wearing-off.jpg

Apple will replace Retina displays on eligible models purchased as far back as June 2012 until October 16, 2017, or within three years of the original date of purchase, whichever is longer. The program was extended to provide affected customers with a longer window of time to get their notebook serviced.

The program has not been publicly announced, but Apple confirmed to MacRumors that repairs continue to be handled internally through AppleCare. Apple does not plan to announce the program publicly at this time, unlike its iPhone 6s battery replacement program and over a dozen others listed on its website.

We recommend affected customers schedule a Genius Bar appointment at an Apple Store or contact Apple support by phone, online chat, or email. Click on "get help" on this page, and then select Mac > Mac notebooks > Hardware Issues > Display Issue and support options should be presented to you.

Apple's support website will ask for your Mac's serial number, which can be found by clicking on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and clicking on About This Mac in the dropdown menu.

Affected customers can also visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider to determine if their notebook is eligible for coverage. If you have already incurred out-of-warranty costs related to this issue, you may be eligible for a refund, which can be initiated by contacting Apple support directly.

MacRumors revealed the repair program's existence in October 2015 following over two years of online complaints from thousands of customers within our discussion forums, on the Apple Support Communities, and elsewhere.

A website called Staingate contains a gallery of MacBook Pro models with seemingly damaged anti-reflective coating, revealing that the blemishes can extend across the entire screen in extreme cases. Meanwhile, a Facebook group related to the issue has nearly 9,000 members and continues to see regular activity.

Article Link: Apple Extended its MacBook Pro Anti-Reflective Coating Repair Program
[doublepost=1527622705][/doublepost]wow, really shocked, I've put up with this for years, didn't know there was a repair program, and too late now I suppose.
 
What happened? Did they replace the screen of your MacBook?

The program is still in use but the computer can not be more than 4 years old and you need to bring the receipt if it's bought elsewhere. I'm going to dig that out and getting it fixed next week.
 
The program is still in use but the computer can not be more than 4 years old and you need to bring the receipt if it's bought elsewhere. I'm going to dig that out and getting it fixed next week.

I bought it in eBay a year ago, do you think that will work?
 
I think the original date of sale is what matters, so if you have the original receipt and it is within 4 years give it a try.

If I have time this Monday, I will take my MacBook Pro personally to an Apple store and see what they say.

Thank you for the information.
 
Are 2018 Macbook Pros also covered in the Repair Program?

Amazingly my MacBook Pro 15" is the third retina macbook that I have with this problem.

I took maximum care to avoid the problem. I never put anything over the display. I never used anything other than a dry cotton ball to clean fingerprints on display. But, after 6 months of use, the keyboard marks and screen tearing are again to haunt me.
 
Are 2018 Macbook Pros also covered in the Repair Program?

Amazingly my MacBook Pro 15" is the third retina macbook that I have with this problem.

I took maximum care to avoid the problem. I never put anything over the display. I never used anything other than a dry cotton ball to clean fingerprints on display. But, after 6 months of use, the keyboard marks and screen tearing are again to haunt me.

2018 are NOT covered by this program.... yet. I can't imagine they won't be in the next couple months when the one year starts going out for many people. Also would not be surprised if they are going to be in the keyboard program as well.
 
Are 2018 Macbook Pros also covered in the Repair Program?

Amazingly my MacBook Pro 15" is the third retina macbook that I have with this problem.

I took maximum care to avoid the problem. I never put anything over the display. I never used anything other than a dry cotton ball to clean fingerprints on display. But, after 6 months of use, the keyboard marks and screen tearing are again to haunt me.

The only thing I were told was that the laptop cannot be more 4 years old (purchase date). Nothing about some year’s model being excluded.
 
The only thing I were told was that the laptop cannot be more 4 years old (purchase date). Nothing about some year’s model being excluded.

Some tech YouTubers (like Dave Lee) are saying that their 2018 macbook PROs are also suffering from these old and well known keyboard and display problems. And since Apple officially admitted that a "small" (???!!) number of 2016 ˜ 2018 macbook pro's are suffering from keyboard issues, I believe the quality control program is unavoidably coming to 2018 models. So, I will wait for that.

One annoying workaround people are doing is to put a sheet of paper between keyboard and display to avoid the scratches. About the keyboard, there's nothing we can do.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rocko99991
I recently went to the Apple store to get a new battery for my MBPr (faulty battery btw so I have to go again). At the same time I asked to replace my display because the coating was coming off again. I already had the display replaced back in 2017 due to the coating issue. Guy said we can do that. I was thrilled because I could get a new display at the same time as my battery replacement. I get a call and they tell me the "genius" made a mistake. Apple is not offering a 5 year special display replacement for out of warranty MacBooks, it's 4 years and the tech was mistaken. The guy even told me they have the parts in store ready to go.

So I got a faulty battery and no display replacement instead of a good new battery plus display replacement.

Basically Apple is saying FU for keeping your MBP for longer than 4 years. And their geniuses are in fact knobs.

I wonder if I called Apple telephone support and "escalated" it they'd let me replace my display?

My MBPr is mid 2014 and the Apple warranty is 4 years. How the hell do they decide on 4 years? If the coating is coming off, the coating is coming off right? I guess 20 years of purchasing every single Apple product counts for nothing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rocko99991
I recently went to the Apple store to get a new battery for my MBPr (faulty battery btw so I have to go again). At the same time I asked to replace my display because the coating was coming off again. I already had the display replaced back in 2017 due to the coating issue. Guy said we can do that. I was thrilled because I could get a new display at the same time as my battery replacement. I get a call and they tell me the "genius" made a mistake. Apple is not offering a 5 year special display replacement for out of warranty MacBooks, it's 4 years and the tech was mistaken. The guy even told me they have the parts in store ready to go.

So I got a faulty battery and no display replacement instead of a good new battery plus display replacement.

Basically Apple is saying FU for keeping your MBP for longer than 4 years. And their geniuses are in fact knobs.

I wonder if I called Apple telephone support and "escalated" it they'd let me replace my display?

My MBPr is mid 2014 and the Apple warranty is 4 years. How the hell do they decide on 4 years? If the coating is coming off, the coating is coming off right? I guess 20 years of purchasing every single Apple product counts for nothing.

I was going to but a used 2015 with that issue with the hope it would also be repaired. So much for that idea.
 
It's four years from the purchase date, with close to no leeway. I tried to get my local store to bend the rules with a "four years since the screen was previously replaced" but they didn't go for it. Luckily, my second screen is only delaminating (or whatever the word is) around the bezels. For the first time, I'm actually quite happy my 2013 MBP has decent sized bezels :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: TokMok3
It's four years from the purchase date, with close to no leeway. I tried to get my local store to bend the rules with a "four years since the screen was previously replaced" but they didn't go for it. Luckily, my second screen is only delaminating (or whatever the word is) around the bezels. For the first time, I'm actually quite happy my 2013 MBP has decent sized bezels :)

I'm wondering if their is a way to finish taking off the coating so at least the glass is perfectly clear.
 
Apparently, yes. Rubbing with an alcohol-based cleaner, or something like Listerine so google says.

You will (obviously) have a pretty reflective screen afterwards, but without the mess.

Hmm. I will look into it. Thank you. I wouldn’t be too bothered. It would be mostly used in bed with no lights behind me. My first iPad had no anti-glare coating and I was happy with it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: adrianlondon
My 2014 was purchased in February 2015. It is 3 months out of the Warranty for the replacement. I called Apple and they set me up to go in, stopped in a store with an appt to have it inspected, was deemed the delaminating issue that they are doing the replacements for, and got approved (3 months out of wty) to get the replacement. The replacement is an entire top lid replacement from the hinges up. Apparently it is a $650 repair with labor due to the entire top being replaced (good news if you have dents). You cannot get approved by a level one or level two care advisor. It must be a Senior Advisor with Management approval.

It reads as "4 years from date of purchase or 2 years from October 2016 (not 17 according to Senior on the phone)". Owners not valid, date based.
 

Attachments

  • EX4UAcd5Rx6wrn%beBoxJQ.jpg
    EX4UAcd5Rx6wrn%beBoxJQ.jpg
    2 MB · Views: 212
  • bz9ns+1OQxa9aFI5o3NCOg.jpg
    bz9ns+1OQxa9aFI5o3NCOg.jpg
    1.6 MB · Views: 214
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: JosephAW
Mine came back today. Free clamshell, out of wty. It’s brand new. :)
 

Attachments

  • 8BC0BCCB-AA68-47F3-B54D-B945A2B24522.jpeg
    8BC0BCCB-AA68-47F3-B54D-B945A2B24522.jpeg
    2.7 MB · Views: 147
  • 96E5C2EA-54AB-4280-9033-FA3FC7D25C9E.jpeg
    96E5C2EA-54AB-4280-9033-FA3FC7D25C9E.jpeg
    2.2 MB · Views: 148
  • 16D34E6D-01B8-411C-A42C-224F4B3F0984.jpeg
    16D34E6D-01B8-411C-A42C-224F4B3F0984.jpeg
    484.9 KB · Views: 141
My 2014 was purchased in February 2015. It is 3 months out of the Warranty for the replacement. I called Apple and they set me up to go in, stopped in a store with an appt to have it inspected, was deemed the delaminating issue that they are doing the replacements for, and got approved (3 months out of wty) to get the replacement. The replacement is an entire top lid replacement from the hinges up. Apparently it is a $650 repair with labor due to the entire top being replaced (good news if you have dents). You cannot get approved by a level one or level two care advisor. It must be a Senior Advisor with Management approval.

It reads as "4 years from date of purchase or 2 years from October 2016 (not 17 according to Senior on the phone)". Owners not valid, date based.

This is awesome. Do you think a late 2013 model (with great specs, compares to 2017/2018 models!) that I just bought second hand would still qualify like yours? I'm assuming it's a stretch, but I set up a Genius appointment anyway. Thoughts?
 
This is awesome. Do you think a late 2013 model (with great specs, compares to 2017/2018 models!) that I just bought second hand would still qualify like yours?
It's really easy. When was the laptop first bought? More than 4 years ago (or within a few weeks) ... no.
 
Pulled out my 17" Macbook Pro with matte screen to relish how much better it is than current models. I've taken it apart to fix various things but it was one of the last ones made that was meant to last.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.