2018 and Newer MacBook Pro and MacBook Air Now Eligible for Apple's Keyboard Service Program - MacRumors
Skip to Content

2018 and Newer MacBook Pro and MacBook Air Now Eligible for Apple's Keyboard Service Program

Apple today extended its Keyboard Service Program to all MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models equipped with any generation of its butterfly mechanism keyboard, not long after apologizing over the issues.

macbookairkeyboard
This means 2018 ‌MacBook Air‌, 2018 ‌MacBook Pro‌, or just-announced 2019 MacBook Pro models that experience keyboard issues such as sticky or inconsistently responding keys now qualify for free repairs up to four years after the original purchase date worldwide, regardless of warranty status.

Eligible Models

  • MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, Early 2015)

  • MacBook (Retina, 12­-inch, Early 2016)

  • MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, 2017)

  • ‌MacBook Air‌ (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)

  • ‌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)

  • ‌MacBook Pro‌ (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)

  • ‌MacBook Pro‌ (15-­inch, 2018)

  • ‌MacBook Pro‌ (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)

  • ‌MacBook Pro‌ (15-­inch, 2019)

To address the underlying issues, Apple said it has changed the material in the 2019 ‌MacBook Pro‌ keyboard's butterfly mechanism to "substantially reduce problems that some users have seen," according to The Loop.

The new keyboard design on the 2019 ‌MacBook Pro‌ is still classified as "third generation" like the 2018 ‌MacBook Pro‌ and 2018 ‌MacBook Air‌. Owners of the 2018 ‌MacBook Pro‌ and 2018 ‌MacBook Air‌ can have their keyboards replaced with ones that have the new materials during repair, according to The Verge.

To initiate a keyboard repair, visit the Get Support page on Apple's website to book a Genius Bar or Apple Authorized Service Provider appointment.

Related Roundups: MacBook Pro, MacBook Air
Related Forums: MacBook Pro, MacBook Air

Popular Stories

MacBook Pro Ultra Feature 1

Apple to Launch Touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro and OLED iPad mini on October 27

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:31 pm PDT by
Apple will introduce new OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro models and an OLED iPad mini "on or around" Tuesday, October 27, reports Bloomberg. The launch will also include an M6 14-inch MacBook Pro and an M6 iMac. The October 27 follows Apple's October 13 debut of a new smart home hub, a revamped Apple TV 4K, and a refreshed HomePod mini. Earlier this month, MacRumors reported that Apple would do ...
Black Apple Event Logo

Apple Now Inviting Media to October 28 'Launch Experience'

Thursday October 15, 2026 4:13 am PDT by
Apple has begun inviting selected members of the media to a product launch experience in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 28, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a post on X, Gurman described the gathering as an "all-day product launch experience" for touchscreen MacBooks, a new iPad mini, and Macs equipped with M6 chips. Gurman previously reported that Apple would introduce the...
M5 MacBook Pro

Apple Plans Two-Day Event to Showcase Trio of New Macs and iPad Mini

Monday October 12, 2026 9:15 am PDT by
Apple is planning to invite content creators to a two-day product showcase in Los Angeles on October 27 and October 28, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Do not expect a traditional Apple Event with a live-streamed video on either of those days, as Gurman said that these will be "experiences" for content creators, similar to one that Apple is holding in New York this Tuesday, October 13. ...

Top Rated Comments

Stephen.R Avatar
97 months ago
This definitely sparks confidence in the durability of these keyboards. "Sarcasm"
I don’t understand?

They admit there is a problem, explain that they’ve changed materials used, extended the service program and will even swap a 2018 model to use the same new material as the 2019 model if yours needs repairs.

How does that not inspire confidence that (a) they’ll look after you long after the warranty runs out, and (b) will try to prevent reoccurrence by using the newer parts.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
97 months ago
This definitely sparks confidence in the durability of these keyboards. "Sarcasm"
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maerz001 Avatar
97 months ago
People these days are more awaiting next generation keyboard design than CPU.

How many generations does it take for Apple to get pre-butterfly quality?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
97 months ago
Why is Apple doing this?! Especially for free!?

Based on many members here, the keyboard issue is a tiny percentage and is not a design fault. So why would a manufacturer do free repairs and its not because of their bad design?!

Apple needs to rethink this. They make a product that does not have a design fault and should not replace customers keyboards for free.

/sarcasm.

Forgot to add in...Apple stock is doing great so that means their keyword is not design fault. They had record revenues so their keyboards are perfect.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sracer Avatar
97 months ago
I’d suggest it’s a preventative measure, to know that issues will be fixed immediately if it happens.

If they didn’t include it in the program would you believe them any more if they said it was “fixed”?
Yes... because it would show that Apple is confident that they resolved the issue. But what they've said is, "should significantly reduce", indicating that they themselves aren't confident that this issue (that only affects a small handful of people) is finally and completely resolved.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pepe4life Avatar
97 months ago
But I thought only a “small percentage” of customers were affected???
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Amazon Discounts New Mac Mini by Up to $149, Mac Studio by $200
Amazon Discounts New Mac Mini by Up to $149, Mac Studio by $200
15 hours ago
Apple Expected to Release New Products on Next Four Fridays
Apple Expected to Release New Products on Next Four Fridays
17 hours ago
Apple Reveals iPhone Duo's Battery Capacity
Apple Reveals iPhone Duo's Battery Capacity
20 hours ago
Apple Planning 'HomeView Max' With 9-Inch, 360-Degree Screen
Apple Planning 'HomeView Max' With 9-Inch, 360-Degree Screen
20 hours ago
Mark Gurman: Apple Made 'Major Mistake' With iPhone Duo Pre-Orders
Mark Gurman: Apple Made 'Major Mistake' With iPhone Duo Pre-Orders
21 hours ago
Apple Retail Staff Told to Warn Against iPhone Duo Walk-In Purchases
Apple Retail Staff Told to Warn Against iPhone Duo Walk-In Purchases
2 days ago
Apple Hires Former Meta Lawyer to Oversee Global Litigation
Apple Hires Former Meta Lawyer to Oversee Global Litigation
2 days ago
Top Stories: Apple HomeView, New Apple TV and HomePod mini, and Sold-Out iPhone Duo
Top Stories: Apple HomeView, New Apple TV and HomePod mini, and Sold-Out iPhone Duo
2 days ago
Verizon Will Charge $10 a Month for iPhone Handoff
Verizon Will Charge $10 a Month for iPhone Handoff
2 days ago
Apple Calls iPhone Duo Demand 'Extraordinary' After Orders Slip to 2027
Apple Calls iPhone Duo Demand 'Extraordinary' After Orders Slip to 2027
3 days ago
New App Store Rules Target AI Deepfakes and Nudify Apps
New App Store Rules Target AI Deepfakes and Nudify Apps
3 days ago
Didn't Pre-Order Apple's HomeView? Here's How Long the Wait is Now
Didn't Pre-Order Apple's HomeView? Here's How Long the Wait is Now
3 days ago
Apple's $79 iPhone Duo Case Sticks On With Adhesive
Apple's $79 iPhone Duo Case Sticks On With Adhesive
3 days ago
Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini Price Increases 'Much More Striking' Than New Features
Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini Price Increases 'Much More Striking' Than New Features
3 days ago
The MacRumors Show: Was HomeView Worth the Wait?
The MacRumors Show: Was HomeView Worth the Wait?
3 days ago
Apple Refers to HomeView as 'HomePodDevice' in Legal Document
Apple Refers to HomeView as 'HomePodDevice' in Legal Document
3 days ago
Apple Pre-Orders Kick Off With First Discounts on HomeView and Apple TV 4K
Apple Pre-Orders Kick Off With First Discounts on HomeView and Apple TV 4K
3 days ago
Developers Question Scope of Potential Apple Antitrust Settlement
Developers Question Scope of Potential Apple Antitrust Settlement
3 days ago
iPhone Duo Resold for $5,000 on eBay After Selling Out
iPhone Duo Resold for $5,000 on eBay After Selling Out
3 days ago
Massive Discounts Hit 2026 MacBook Pro With Up to $800 Off
Massive Discounts Hit 2026 MacBook Pro With Up to $800 Off
3 days ago
iPhone Duo is Sold Out for Christmas as Shipping Estimates Slip to 2027
iPhone Duo is Sold Out for Christmas as Shipping Estimates Slip to 2027
3 days ago
Didn't Pre-Order an iPhone Duo Yet? Wait Times Are Significant Now
Didn't Pre-Order an iPhone Duo Yet? Wait Times Are Significant Now
3 days ago
First Apple TV 4K Pre-Order Discount Arrives at Amazon
First Apple TV 4K Pre-Order Discount Arrives at Amazon
3 days ago
iPhone Duo Pre-Order Deals: The Best Carrier Offers From AT&T and T-Mobile
iPhone Duo Pre-Order Deals: The Best Carrier Offers From AT&T and T-Mobile
3 days ago
iPhone Duo Now Available to Pre-Order From Apple
iPhone Duo Now Available to Pre-Order From Apple
3 days ago
iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone Duo Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Choose?
iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone Duo Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Choose?
3 days ago
Apple Store Down Ahead of iPhone Duo Pre-Orders
Apple Store Down Ahead of iPhone Duo Pre-Orders
3 days ago
Oops, Apple's Website Just Hinted at iPad Mini 8
Oops, Apple's Website Just Hinted at iPad Mini 8
3 days ago
OLED MacBook Pro Won't Get M7 Chips Until Late 2027
OLED MacBook Pro Won't Get M7 Chips Until Late 2027
4 days ago
Apple Pledged $25 Million to Trump's White House Ballroom
Apple Pledged $25 Million to Trump's White House Ballroom
4 days ago