I don’t applaud them. This is similar to the terrible slowdown of the iPhone 6 on a software update. Mine slowed so bad I sold it and bought an iPhone 8. THEN after that they said it might be a battery and will replace for $29. Meanwhile mine was now gone, and I spent $1K I maybe didn’t have to. Those that dumped their 2016 or 2017 MBP because of possible chronic keyboard failure are screwed. This is no comfort to them either.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Launches Repair Program for Faulty MacBook and MacBook Pro Keyboards
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
They are only replacing keyboards or rather the top case if the keyboard fails. This is not a mass recall for everyone with a 12" MacBook or 2016-present MBP. The replacement will be exactly the same as the keyboards that the machines came with. There is no redesign and there won't be this generation.
That is literally millions of MacBooks that will require service on their keyboards. That's unacceptable in my opinion. I am so glad I don't need a laptop for work anymore.
Can you point to the statement from Apple where they blamed others for this? I’ll wait
Mine is literally in an authorized shop right now. The guy said he would do me a solid and get it covered under warranty (even though I removed the space bar trying to clean it and couldn't get it back on - which technically voids the warranty (BS) and others in forums have had to pay $500 just for removing a key to clean it. They have to replace part of the battery and the entire top part of the keyboard shell), but I wonder if the newer keyboards are updated and if I just missed getting it.
The iPhone 8 was worth purchasing anyway. The A11 is much faster than the A8 and you get 3D Touch. If you didn't buy a new phone last year you most likely would've bought one this year. That doesn't excuse them not disclosing what was going on but an iPhone 6 with a fresh battery is still substantially slower than a 7, 8 or X on iOS 11.
I love mine. I dig the keyboard now that I have gotten used to it too.
I was happy about the performance of my 6 prior to the update to “help” me. I still had all day battery life
with my use so their excuse was disingenuine in my usage. They did a stellar job at damage control though.
YUP! enough said. How can anyone justify Apple taking so long. They realized it was a defect, and took this long to take accountability.
Shame on Tim, but thankfully someone there still has common sense
I keep mine vacuumed. I’m thinking of getting a small portable vacuum to keep the keyboard from borking. Getting any dust or crap under the keys is a big part of the problem.
[doublepost=1529718573][/doublepost]
The whole point is that this is out of warranty repairs. This isn’t Dell or HP or what ever. My last Mac which I have 5 years has 2 out of warranty screen repairs. Apple has good service.
[doublepost=1529718573][/doublepost]
The whole point is that this is out of warranty repairs. This isn’t Dell or HP or what ever. My last Mac which I have 5 years has 2 out of warranty screen repairs. Apple has good service.
3 years is a long time for a keyboard to last on a $1000+ machine. We should be thanking our lucky stars Apple goes the extra mile in looking after their customers.
I must have really hit the jackpot with my 1980s Omega keyboard which is still going strong.
That was probably back with iOS 10. I have a spare 6 on iOS 10.3.3 with a fresh battery and it works well. I haven't updated it to 11 because I know what will happen. I will wait for 12 which supposedly performs a little bit better.
Threatening class action lawsuits can work after all.
Awesome! Glad I didn't get applecare. I kinda wished it was 5 years but I suppose I normally don't keep them that long anyways.
Apple today launched a keyboard repair program for MacBook and MacBook Pro models equipped with butterfly keys to address complaints over letters or characters that repeat unexpectedly, letters or characters that do not appear, and keys that feel "sticky" or do not respond in a consistent manner.
According to Apple, a "small percentage" of MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboards from 2015 to 2017 can experience these symptoms.
Apple says that customers can bring an affected MacBook or MacBook Pro into an Apple retail store or to an Apple Authorized Service Provider to receive repairs free of charge, with the type of service to be determined after the keyboard has been examined.
Repairs may include the replacement of one or more keys or the entire keyboard. Eligible MacBook and MacBook Pro models are listed below:
[*]MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
[*]MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
[*]MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
[*]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)
No other MacBook or MacBook Pro models are included in the program, but it does cover eligible MacBook and MacBook Pro models for four years after the first retail sale of the unit.
To initiate the repair process, customers should find an Apple Authorized Service Provider, make an appointment at an Apple retail store, or mail the device into an Apple Repair Center after contacting Apple support. Apple says that if the affected MacBook or MacBook Pro has damage that impairs service, the issue will need to be repaired first.
Repair documents for Apple Authorized Service Providers seen by MacRumors suggest Apple will repair MacBook and MacBook Pro regardless of keyboard damage due to attempted keycap repair by the customer or physical top case damage unrelated to the keyboard. Liquid damage and physical keyboard damage unrelated to a keycap repair will require additional work to be paid for by the customer before a keyboard repair can be initiated.
Customers who experienced keyboard problems but were forced to pay out-of-warranty repair fees for their damaged MacBook or MacBook Pro models can contact Apple to inquire about a refund. In some cases, repairs for keyboard issues were priced at upwards of $500.
Apple's decision to offer a repair program follows increasing customer dissatisfaction with the failure rate of the first and second-generation butterfly keyboards in the 2015 and later MacBook models and the 2016 and later MacBook Pro models.
Customer complaints have suggested that these models experience issues more often than prior keyboards due to the flatter butterfly keys that adopt dome switches for a more responsive feel. The design of these keyboards can cause keys to fail when dust or other small particles get into the keys, leading to the "sticky" and non-responsive keys Apple describes above.
Apple is facing two potential class action lawsuits over the defective keyboards in recent MacBook and MacBook Pro models from customers who were forced to pay high prices for out-of-warranty repairs. Thousands of customers also signed a Change.org petition calling on Apple to fix the keyboard issues that are being addressed with the new repair program.
Article Link: Apple Launches Repair Program for Faulty MacBook and MacBook Pro Keyboards
They say its an "improvement" over the old design
Yup I love America! Where change happens, after each lawsuit.
The advantage of butterfly is thinness.
[doublepost=1529720451][/doublepost]
Four years from original date of sale.
Man, for Gruber of all people to say "I find these keyboards — specifically, the tales of woe about keys getting stuck or ceasing to work properly — a deeply worrisome sign about Apple’s priorities today" really does tell you that something is up.
Also note that he wrote this almost 10 months ago, it's one of the reasons why I respect the guy - you can't question his loyalty to Apple but when it comes to truth he isn't afraid to call them out when they're wrong.
Neil Cycunt however is still arguing that there's nothing wrong with the keyboards!
Last edited:
Some people in this thread are proclaiming this equates to good customer service, several years after the fact.
Never change macrumors, lol.
Never change macrumors, lol.
You haven’t heard? The 2018 model is a refurbished 2015. Cuts down on manufacturing cost. But when they’re gone they’re gone.