Apple Extends 13-Inch MacBook Pro Backlight Repair Program

Apple this week extended its worldwide 13-inch MacBook Pro Display Backlight Service Program, authorizing coverage for eligible notebooks for up to five years after the original purchase date or up to three years after the start date of the program, whichever is longer. The previous cutoff was four years after the original purchase date.

macbook pro flexgate
Apple launched the program on May 21, 2019 after determining that a "very small percentage" of 13-inch MacBook Pro units sold between October 2016 and February 2018 may exhibit vertical bright areas along the bottom of the display or a backlight that stops working completely. Only the MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports) and MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) are eligible.

To identify which Mac model you have, click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and then select "About This Mac" in the menu. Apple has not expanded the program to any other MacBook models at this time.

Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will replace the display on affected 13-inch MacBook Pro units, free of charge. To initiate the repair process, visit the Get Support page on Apple's website. If you believe your MacBook Pro was affected by this issue, and you paid to have your display repaired, you can contact Apple about a potential refund.

In 2019, repair website iFixit reported that the backlight issues are caused by a delicate flex cable that can wear out and break after repeated opening and closing of the display on affected 13-inch MacBook Pro models. Apple extended the length of the flex cable by 2mm in 2018 models, which seemingly fixed the issue.

Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
Netflix Smaller 4

Netflix Kills Casting From Its Mobile App to Most Modern TVs

Monday December 1, 2025 4:36 am PST by
Netflix has quietly removed the ability to cast content from its mobile apps to most modern TVs and streaming devices, including newer Chromecast models and the Google TV Streamer. The change was first spotted by users on Reddit and confirmed in an updated Netflix support page (via Android Authority), which now states that the streaming service no longer supports casting from mobile devices...
Sad Siri Feature

Apple AI Chief John Giannandrea Retiring After Siri Delays

Monday December 1, 2025 2:16 pm PST by
Apple AI chief John Giannandrea is stepping down from his position and retiring in spring 2026, Apple announced today. Giannandrea will serve as an advisor between now and 2026, with former Microsoft AI researcher Amar Subramanya set to take over as vice president of AI. Subramanya will report to Apple engineering chief Craig Federighi, and will lead Apple Foundation Models, ML research, and ...
Cyber Week Deals 2025

Best Cyber Week Apple Deals Include Big Discounts on AirPods, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 30, 2025 7:33 am PST by
Cyber Week is here, and you can find popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more at all-time low prices. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically,...
iOS 26

When Will Apple Release iOS 26.2?

Monday December 1, 2025 4:37 pm PST by
We're getting closer to the launch of the final major iOS update of the year, with Apple set to release iOS 26.2 in December. We've had three betas so far and are expecting a fourth beta or a release candidate this week, so a launch could follow as soon as next week. Past Launch Dates Apple's past iOS x.2 updates from the last few years have all happened right around the middle of the...
studio display purple february

M5 iPad Pro Could Hint at New Studio Display Feature

Sunday November 30, 2025 10:30 am PST by
The updated specs of the M5 iPad Pro may point toward a major new feature for Apple's next-generation Studio Display expected in early 2026. Apple's latest iPad Pro debuted last month and contains one display-related change that stands out: it can now drive external monitors at up to 120Hz with Adaptive Sync. The feature should deliver lower latency, smoother motion, and fewer visual...
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...
Touchscreen MacBook Feature

Here Are the Four MacBooks Apple Is Expected to Launch Next Year

Monday December 1, 2025 5:00 am PST by
2026 could be a bumper year for Apple's Mac lineup, with the company expected to announce as many as four separate MacBook launches. Rumors suggest Apple will court both ends of the consumer spectrum, with more affordable options for students and feature-rich premium lines for users that seek the highest specifications from a laptop. Below is a breakdown of what we're expecting over the next ...

Top Rated Comments

its93rc Avatar
64 months ago
The 2016/17 MBP were a POS. I owned both and they have been a nightmare. I was wondering if I should just buy M1 now and wait a year or two when the updated versions of the 14” / 16” drop. I’m tired of dealing with Apple support who act dumb about issues that are well known. ‘Are you sure you didn’t eat on your MBP’? — ‘Only a small number were affected, actually’. The worst part is they keep installing keyboards they know will fail in a couple of months/years.

My brother had this specific issue with his MBP 2017 TB, and Apple wanted to charge him the display because it was damaged. They said he put something in the MacBook to cause this. Ridiculous. My brother kept that thing in his office.

I say this as a huge Apple fan.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BGPL Avatar
64 months ago
But they turned their backs on the 2017 MacBook Pro owners, which had the same problem (display cable was too short). Whatever you do, don't buy a 2017 MBP used. Also, "very small percentage" is a complete lie, it is very much a frequent problem, as ALL of the models had the same flawed display cable. Guess who owns a 2017 MBP? Me!!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mkondrak Avatar
64 months ago
Yeah I actually had this issue on my 13in MBP from Nov2016. It slowly started showing up until it got to the point shown in the article. Thankfully the repair was painless except for the fact that it took a week and a half to get my laptop back (fixed around spring 2019).

The thing that they dont mention in this article or from apple is that apple doesnt "fix" this issue at all. All Apple does is replace the display with an identical one that will have the same issue in 3-4 years. Apple fixed it with a longer display flex cable in the 2018+ models but that longer display cable doesnt fit in the 2016 and 2017 MBPs so you get the same short one.

So effectively after this program ends in 5 years, if you have a 2016 model you are stuck with a failing display. smh
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BGPL Avatar
64 months ago

I wonder why the 2017 models were excluded from the program when they're the exact same screens with the exact same problems?
Money. Apple will screw anyone over for a buck, especially their customers. They ran the numbers and allowing the repairs on the 2017's was just too much cash. We also know from history that Apple isn't afraid of a lawsuit, and they often wait for one before they take action that can cost them money (recall, repair program, etc). I guarantee if someone laid a class action on them for the 2017 models, they would include them in the repair program.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ahmedista Avatar
63 months ago
I have a MacBook Pro 2017 non-touchbar and It's has been the worst purchase I've ever made. I'm suffering from flexgate issue and Apple won't even acknowledge this problem. A problem that Apple already made a recall program for 2016 models only.

I'm pretty sure Apple knows this problem but they are ignoring it for unknown reason.

This is from a recent chat with Apple Support.





This is really frustrating to have a device that cost much having serous design flaws and Apple want us to pay for the repair. Such problems like:

- Stage Light / Flexgate
- Butterfly keyboard
- SSD problems
- And recently battery problems
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MobiusStrip Avatar
60 months ago
True. I can excuse occasional defects. But I will not excuse shipping known defective designs for more than one iteration. The "butterfly" keyboards really epitomize that. It was a shìtty design in service of a bankrupt, anti-customer mania for "thinness" perpetrated by a pompous hack (Jony Ive).

People think Apple is somehow "rebellious" or different, but in fact it's sadly political inside where incompetent pets get promoted for years and degrade the company's entire product line. Jony Ive is one example. Randy Ubillos is another.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)