Apple Launches New Backlight Service Program for 2016 13-Inch MacBook Pro Display to Address 'Flexgate' Issues

by

Alongside the launch of new MacBook Pro models, Apple today introduced a new Backlight Service Program for the 13-inch MacBook Pro.

According to Apple, a "very small percentage" of 2016 13-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ displays can exhibit vertical bright areas along the bottom of the screen or a backlight that malfunctions entirely.

macbookpro
Apple will repair affected devices, which includes machines sold between October 2016 and February 2018, for free. Eligible models are listed below:

  • ‌MacBook Pro‌ (13-­inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • ‌MacBook Pro‌ (13-­inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)

No other ‌MacBook Pro‌ models are included in the repair program at this time.

There have been ongoing complaints from ‌MacBook Pro‌ owners about uneven backlighting, though reports have covered machines beyond the 13-inch 2016 ‌MacBook Pro‌. There has been speculation that the problem is caused by a delicate and easy-to-break flex cable.

Apple says that those with affected machines should find an Apple Authorized Service Provider, make an appointment at an Apple Retail Store, or contact Apple Support to arrange a mail-in repair.

The Backlight Service Program will be available to ‌MacBook Pro‌ owners for four years after the first retail sale of the unit, or two years from May 21, 2019, whichever is longer. According to internal Apple repair documents, displays with a confirmed backlight issue are eligible for LCD replacement at no charge, including displays that have accidental damage.

Tag: Flexgate Guide
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

airpods pro 3 purple

New, Higher End AirPods Pro Coming This Year

Tuesday January 20, 2026 9:05 am PST by
Apple is planning to debut a high-end secondary version of AirPods Pro 3 this year, sitting in the lineup alongside the current model, reports suggest. Back in September 2025, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to introduce a successor to the AirPods Pro 3 in 2026. This would be somewhat unusual since Apple normally waits around three years to make major...
Read Full Article • 95 comments
iOS 27 Mock Quick

iOS 27 Will Add These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday January 18, 2026 3:51 pm PST by
iOS 27 is still many months away, but there are already plenty of rumors about new features that will be included in the software update. The first beta of iOS 27 will be released during WWDC 2026 in June, and the update should be released to all users with a compatible iPhone in September. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that iOS 27 will be similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense...
Read Full Article • 101 comments
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

MacBook Pro Buyers Now Facing Up to a Two-Month Wait Ahead of New Models

Sunday January 18, 2026 6:50 pm PST by
MacBook Pro availability is tightening on Apple's online store, with select configurations facing up to a two-month delivery timeframe in the United States. A few 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro configurations with an M4 Pro chip are not facing any shipping delay, but estimated delivery dates for many configurations with an M4 Max chip range from February 6 to February 24 or even later. At...
Read Full Article • 86 comments
smaller dynamic island iphone 18 pro Filip Vabrous%CC%8Cek

iPhone 18 Pro Leak: Smaller Dynamic Island, No Top-Left Camera Cutout

Tuesday January 20, 2026 2:34 am PST by
Over the last few months, rumors around the iPhone 18 Pro's front-panel design have been conflicted, with some supply-chain leaks pointing to under-display Face ID, reports suggesting a top-left hole-punch camera, and debate over whether the familiar Dynamic Island will shrink, shift, or disappear entirely. Today, Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital shared new details that appear to clarify the ...
Read Full Article • 56 comments
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Thursday January 15, 2026 10:56 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another eight months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of January 2026: The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID...
Read Full Article • 74 comments

Top Rated Comments

sunapple Avatar
sunapple
87 months ago
Does the 13" non-Touch Bar have the all-time highest number of service programs? :eek:

[LIST=1]
* https://www.apple.com/support/13-inch-macbook-pro-display-backlight-service/
* https://www.apple.com/support/13-inch-macbook-pro-solid-state-drive-service-program/
* https://www.apple.com/support/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks/
* https://www.apple.com/support/13inch-macbookpro-battery-replacement/
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tofupunch Avatar
Tofupunch
87 months ago
i wonder if they're going to fix this with the exact same part. which means the issue is bound to occur again.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Defthand Avatar
Defthand
87 months ago
Ugh. Why does everything have to be "something-gate"? How about just naming it accurately and descriptively?
Maybe if Apple were proactive about addressing design failures and didn't have to be shamed or threatened into doing so, these issues wouldn't be considered cover ups.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nimbusthegreat Avatar
nimbusthegreat
87 months ago
2017 15" model here....

Last week i noticed what appeared to be the stage lighting issue. I closed my lid, went to lunch, and when I returned, no backlight. The warranty ran out on my computer about 3 months ago. So I call Apple tech support, they take some information and eventually refer me to a local Apple store. I take it in, they take a look and tell me that the repair was going to be almost $800. I politely argued that this issue is affecting a larger population than they are acknowledging and ended up arguing my case to the store manager. I had lots of evidence that this issue is a wider issue than just the occasional failure and in the end the manager agreed to have it repaired at Apple's expense.

I'm extremely grateful for the manager and technician at the store level taking pity on me and helping me out. I'm furious with Apple for continually releasing substandard products and treating it's loyal consumers like they are crazy when they complain about hardware failures. I shouldn't have had to argue my case as strongly as I did for an issue that they clearly are aware of.
[doublepost=1558464734][/doublepost]
Why not 2016 15inch models??
and 2017 models as well. And I'm hearing some anecdotal evidence that the 2018s are also having this issue. Sometimes the quest for thinner/lighter laptops trumps functionality.
[doublepost=1558464793][/doublepost]
4 weeks ago I closed my computer, reopened it and no backlight. The screen was on but went dim and so did the keyboard back light. Out of warranty and cost me $500. Any idea of this is what’s being covered?
If I were you, I'd go back to the Apple store and lobby for a refund.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ribitsch Avatar
Ribitsch
87 months ago
Why not 2016 15inch models??
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tybanks3 Avatar
Tybanks3
87 months ago
4 weeks ago I closed my computer, reopened it and no backlight. The screen was on but went dim and so did the keyboard back light. Out of warranty and cost me $500. Any idea of this is what’s being covered?
Just called and they issued me a full refund!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments