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After numerous complaints, Apple acknowledged the problem with the butterfly keyboard on June 24, 2018 and has since promised a free repair.
In the past, repairing an affected butterfly keyboard could take several days. According to a recent report, this is now set to change. MacRumors has been given access to an internal support document instructing individual Apple stores to prioritize repairing broken butterfly keyboards. The replacement should therefore take place directly in the store - so that the MacBook in question can be released the next day. Previously, affected devices were sent to external workshops. It remains unclear why Apple has now changed the process for such repairs - observers believe that Cupertino wants to prevent further frustration by shortening the waiting time.
Butterfly keyboard has been criticized since its introduction
The butterfly keyboard in the MacBook and MacBook Pro has been heavily criticized since its introduction. It suffers from a high failure rate, as even the smallest crumbs and dust particles can damage individual keys. The third generation of the sensitive keyboard has a silicone protector - this should not only reduce typing noises but also prevent foreign objects from penetrating the keyboard - but to no avail, the latest generation of the butterfly keyboard has also failed. However, the exchange program only applies to the first two generations - when Apple will include the latest generation in the program remains unknown for the time being.
exchange program
This means that users of devices that have problems will have the repair or replacement carried out free of charge by Apple or an authorized Apple dealer.
Apple describes the problems as follows:
– Characters are repeated unexpectedly
– Characters are not displayed
– one or more keys have too high a pressure resistance, hang after being struck or react inconsistently
Qualified models are:
MacBook (Retina, 12″, Early 2015)
MacBook (Retina, 12″, Early 2016)
MacBook (Retina, 12″, 2017)
MacBook Pro (13″, 2016, two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (13”, 2017, two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (13″, 2016, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (13″, 2017, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (15”, 2016)
MacBook Pro (15”, 2017)
