Can I replace a "UK" keyboard layout MacBook Pro (2016) top case with a "US" top case?

[macpot]

Hello,

Does any one know if I can replace my "UK" layout top-case of "MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)" with a 2016 "US" layout that I want to buy from ebay?

Also is it possible to replace the top case with a 2018 model?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[myret]

It is a really tedious work. If you trust yourself and if there is a guideline+equipment, go ahead. You can change into different language keyboards. However, you cannot change with 2018 model due to difference in internals.

 

[keysofanxiety]

The UK keyboard is heroic! That beautiful fat Enter key instead of the spindly beady-eyed US Enter key. Plus it still has the dollar sign on the number 4 if you need to cite those Monopoly dollars rather than the majesty of the glorious British sterling.

 

[macpot]

It is a really tedious work. If you trust yourself and if there is a guideline+equipment, go ahead. You can change into different language keyboards. However, you cannot change with 2018 model due to difference in internals.

Thank you very much, I'll order a US top case then, is it at least possible to first change the 2016 keyboard on the "New" top case, with a 2018 keyboard, and then replace the top cases? or the keyboards don't match

The UK keyboard is heroic! That beautiful fat Enter key instead of the spindly beady-eyed US Enter key. Plus it still has the dollar sign on the number 4 if you need to cite those Monopoly dollars rather than the majesty of the glorious British sterling.

Because of `~ key, it's in a bad position for me, I'd rather not have the ±§ key and put ~` there

Also my battery holds less than half of when it was new, and keyboard isn't functioning well, so I'm going to order a topcase and rather get a US one now

 

[cambookpro]

Thank you very much, I'll order a US top case then, is it at least possible to first change the 2016 keyboard on the "New" top case, with a 2018 keyboard, and then replace the top cases? or the keyboards don't match



Because of `~ key, it's in a bad position for me, I'd rather not have the ±§ key and put ~` there

Also my battery holds less than half of when it was new, and keyboard isn't functioning well, so I'm going to order a topcase and rather get a US one now

Why not just swap the two keys around and remap them with something like Karabiner? I think it would be a lot easier than a whole top case replacement.

If your keyboard isn’t working well, take it to Apple. They will replace the top case (and battery) under the keyboard replacement programme.

 

[macpot]

Why not just swap the two keys around and remap them with something like Karabiner? I think it would be a lot easier than a whole top case replacement.

If your keyboard isn’t working well, take it to Apple. They will replace the top case (and battery) under the keyboard replacement programme.

Once I tried to open the Space Key to blow air under it, but I broke the hinge under it
Also I started swapping multiple keyboard keys before the program (please see the image)

I don't think if they will do anything for free in my case because of the changes I've done, and since I'm changing the topcase, I wondered if I can swap it with a US while I'm at it...

The space key hinge is broken on one side, it's holding there using some two sided tape

P.S. Is it possible to put a 2018 keyboard in a 2016 topcase to lower the noise?

 

[cambookpro]

Once I tried to open the Space Key to blow air under it, but I broke the hinge under it
Also I started swapping multiple keyboard keys before the program (please see the image)

I don't think if they will do anything for free in my case because of the changes I've done, and since I'm changing the topcase, I wondered if I can swap it with a US while I'm at it...

The space key hinge is broken on one side, it's holding there using some two sided tape

P.S. Is it possible to put a 2018 keyboard in a 2016 topcase to lower the noise?

Fair enough - that's certainly a... unique layout!

I don't see why a US top case of the same generation wouldn't fit, but looking at the iFixit teardowns I think the 2018 keyboard is just a bit too different to fit in a 2016 top case. No real evidence to prove that claim, but I presume if it were possible, somebody would have already tried it by now.

 

[macpot]

Fair enough - that's certainly a... unique layout!

I don't see why a US top case of the same generation wouldn't fit, but looking at the iFixit teardowns I think the 2018 keyboard is just a bit too different to fit in a 2016 top case. No real evidence to prove that claim, but I presume if it were possible, somebody would have already tried it by now.

Thank you very much for the extra info,
Then I guess I'll search every where to see if any one has ever done this (swapping a 2016 keyboard with a 2018).
Hopefully it's possible, as 2018 models are waaay quieter...

 

[myret]

Thank you very much, I'll order a US top case then, is it at least possible to first change the 2016 keyboard on the "New" top case, with a 2018 keyboard, and then replace the top cases? or the keyboards don't match



Because of `~ key, it's in a bad position for me, I'd rather not have the ±§ key and put ~` there

Also my battery holds less than half of when it was new, and keyboard isn't functioning well, so I'm going to order a topcase and rather get a US one now

Keyboards do not match. Therefore, you cannot put the new one to the old one.

 

[baldvinhlynsson]

Hey @macpot - did you ever finish this? I'm wondering about the same thing. If I can replace the top case of the a1707 2016 macbook pro from EU to US 🙂

 

[smbu2000]

Hey @macpot - did you ever finish this? I'm wondering about the same thing. If I can replace the top case of the a1707 2016 macbook pro from EU to US 🙂

Yes, it is possible to do within the same type of MBP. For example, A1707 2016/2017.
I've done it before when I wanted to switch from an A1707 JIS keyboard (Japan) to a US keyboard topcase. (I've also done it on several other models as well.)

It is a very tedious though as you have to move EVERYTHING over. I would not recommend it for somebody inexperienced with on/in Macs.
Compared to the previous Unibody and Retina models, the 2016 and later models are harder to work on.

 

[Fishrrman]

That's only worth fixing if you can get the repair parts cheap and do it yourself (or have it done for cheaply).

Otherwise, probably time to figure on a replacement...