Last Updated on October 7, 2023
Wondering what Apple’s Keyboard Service Program is like?
For me, it all began when I was typing a sentence and my keyboard’s letter “E” popped off.
I use a 2016 MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar.
I was in the middle of writing a new blog post when I casually pressed down on the letter “E” and the entire piece of plastic came loose, did a flip mid-air like a pancake, and landed on the backside of my hand.
When the key broke, I wouldn’t say I was typing any more aggressively or forcefully than normal. The keyboard itself is so shallow by design that I sometimes feel like I have to hit my fingers against the keys to get a response which is frustrating and usually leads to joint pain in my hands, but that’s a whole other issue. In the case of the broken key, to this day, I have no idea why it actually came loose.
Saying goodbye to “E.”
The first broken key.
When I saw with my own two eyes that the sensors and levers positioned underneath the missing key cap were now fully exposed with the “E” now resting on the backside of my hand, fear swept over me that I’d be unable to reattach it without breaking it plastic or somehow mistakenly reattaching it the wrong way. This concern was magnified by the rumors I’d already heard about how Apple’s new butterfly-mechanism keyboard is extremely difficult to repair – even for professionals.
What can you do when a MacBook Pro key pops off? Can you reattach a broken key?
My first thought: Uhh… Can I fix this myself?
Using my iPhone, I looked up tutorials on how to re-seat Apple’s butterfly keys in case I could quickly fix this problem myself. Information on how to do this was not readily available. I tried to follow instructions from random videos and illustrations on the internet. Most of the tutorials on YouTube were explaining how to remove the keys but I needed to know how to reattach them. You might be thinking, “just do the opposite” but the issue is that I was not sure if I could assume the same process that works for removing the keys is also the proper way to install them. Reverse engineering the solution did work.
The Facts:
How to Attach Apple’s Butterfly-Mechanism Keys
For those who may be wondering how to attach a butterfly key to a MacBook Pro: you slide the bottom half of the key in first at a slight angle and then place the top half down flat. The key should look and feel normal now when you press it.
The Result:
Repeated Key Failure
I was able to seat my “E” key back into its butterfly mechanism without doing any apparent damage to it. The butterfly key SHOULD have been positioned properly. I didn’t have to force it, it was actually quite easy to insert. Sadly, whenever I tried to press the bottom half of the “E” key, it would come loose and flip out of place again! This made me think I was doing something wrong even though I wasn’t. I inspected the key closely for any signs of damage but there was nothing wrong with any of the small hinges that I could see or tell. I guessed the mechanism itself somehow must have broken.
Being an optimist, I wasted two hours trying to insert-remove-insert-and-remove the key thinking eventually it would suddenly “just work.” (Isn’t that some Apple slogan or something?) Well, nothing I tried ever worked. The key was still failing.
I wanted to book A Genius Bar Appointment.
Calling 1-800-APPLE-SUPPORT
I called Apple Support by phone to explain my issue in hopes of scheduling an in-store Genius Bar appointment.
After the customer support agent had me try restarting my laptop in Safe Mode 3 times with no improvement, he agreed an in-store appointment was probably my best option.
My Laptop Model
Some Background Information
I bought my 2016 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar in November of 2016 shortly after it was released to the public. I have never done ANYTHING to mine to warrant damage to the keyboard besides normal daily wear and tear. I am extremely cautious with my MacBook. I have never spilled anything on it. I know for certain it doesn’t have water damage. I do not eat on top of it. I keep it in a hard plastic case that gets stored within a sleeve whenever it is not in use. I have been a Mac user since 2010 and in all the time that has passed since then, even with my last unibody mid-2010 MacBook Pro that lasted all of 6 years, I never once needed to remove a single key for cleaning. This strange occurrence was totally unexpected.
I should also state that the arrow keys on my 2016 MacBook have been flawed since the first day I bought my laptop. I never bothered to do an exchange or return because I could replicate the issue on every floor model I tested in Apple stores at the time. The arrows would not always register clicks if struck quickly. They were temperamental but still functional. I was willing to look past it if need be.
While waiting for my Genius Bar appointment which was scheduled FIVE DAYS LATER, I discovered the Apple Keyboard Service Replacement Program.
Discovering Apple’s Keyboard Service Program
My MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) was on the list of laptops QUALIFYING for keyboard repairs. What I learned through some research I did online that night was that my keyboard did NOT necessarily break due poor care or improper usage. It probably wasn’t even just a stroke of bad luck! My keyboard essentially “broke” because it is FLAWED BY DESIGN.
I’m not alone!
There was a class action lawsuit involving owners of MacBooks possessing these flawed butterfly-mechanism keyboards and the court ruled in favor of the consumers! Instead of Apple recalling their butterfly-keyboard laptops (which would mean admitting their design was conceptually flawed) or outright contacting every customer who bought one of the models involved in this lawsuit to alert them about the new Keyboard Service Program, Apple has been chosen to do nothing unless people speak up and bring their faulty keyboard to their attention.
Then they will take it and fix it for free. Which is great. Except… how many people are using annoying keyboards and dealing with it, while having NO CLUE they could have it fixed for free…
Apple claims on their website, “[only] a small percentage of the keyboards in certain MacBooks… [are affected.]”
Yeah, sure…
That verbiage rubs me the wrong way. I don’t think it’s a small percentage. I’ve never read anything but complains about these keyboards. Every single 2016 MacBook Pro I have used has had the SAME problems with the arrow keys.
Based on the claims across the internet, it certainly SOUNDS like a lot of people are having individual keys that are acting up. Even if someone isn’t having actual issues (as you might have believed about me and my laptop prior to the E popping off) it doesn’t mean that I wasn’t struggling with it. Maybe I was just dealing with it in silence.
Had I known sooner that there was a replacement and repair program in place, I would have had my arrow keys worked on sooner! I wish Apple stepped up to the plate and sent every single one of their qualifying MacBook Pro customers an iCloud e-mail alerting them of the program.
Attending My Genius Bar Appointment
I brought my MacBook Pro into my local Apple Store. I showed the Genius how my arrow keys did not function properly along with the broken “E.” He took the laptop into the back of the store to work on it. He asked if he could try replacing my “E” key with another one and offered to clean out the debris from my keyboard.
When he returned he told me to try the new “E” key. It worked!!! I asked him what was wrong with the other one and he said he wasn’t sure because it looked normal to him. I guess the issue will forever remain a mystery.
The Genius went on to tell me that he still recommended I do the Apple Keyboard Service Program. He explained, “I tried cleaning your keyboard but there was so much debris underneath that I think the air just pushed it all in deeper and it looks like it might give you more problems now. You can try typing on your keyboard but I think a few of the other keys have pretty much stopped working.”
I looked down in horror. What do you mean “other keys?” Using my mouse, I opened Notepad and then I began to type…
The keyboard became unusable.
My N did not work. My Y did not work. My R did not work. My SPACE BAR DID NOT WORK. MY KEYBOARD WAS NOW EFFECTIVELY UNUSABLE! How could I possibly take home a laptop with a nonfunctional spacebar!? I’d be leaving with a laptop in worse condition than when I entered the Apple Store!
We completed the paperwork.
With no other option, I reluctantly agreed to send my laptop in for repairs…. I had already done a Time Machine Backup prior to my appointment so that wasn’t an issue. Still, it wasn’t an easy decision because I depend on my laptop for work. I make a living by working online both as a blogger and as an online tutor. Apple was offering to fix the keyboard for free but the repairs would take anywhere from 5 to 7 business days.
While it was presented to me as a choice, I didn’t really have a choice.
I signed the paperwork and left the Apple Store without a laptop.
The Pick-Up Process
Collecting my laptop was fairly simple. I walked into the Apple Store a week later, told the employee my name and showed a form of ID. Someone walked out with my laptop all neatly packaged in some factory packing materials.
I have to say, while the circumstances sucked, I am extremely satisfied with Apple’s Keyboard Service Program. My laptop was returned to me with a fully functional brand new keyboard along with all of my original data intact. They informed me the laptop could have been wiped for troubleshooting purposes but that was not the case with my laptop. The only thing they wiped was the screen and the glass has never looked cleaner.
Because of the way Apple builds laptops now, a repair such as this requires replacing a lot of parts. Even though it was only the keyboard that needed replacing, Apple has to replace the ENTIRE TOP CASE to do this repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will they replace in the apple keyboard service program?
Apple’s repair is substantial. Due to the laptop’s complicated assembly, they cannot replace the keyboard alone without extensive repairs. So what does that mean for you? It basically means you get:
- Brand New Keys
- Brand New Trackpad
- New Aluminum Top Case
- Brand New Battery !!!! (This honestly made my machine feel brand new.)
Between parts and labor, the total cost of the work is more than $700.00 per repair. This is what you or I would pay if we needed to have this same work done outside of the Program. Of course, I assume the cost to Apple is far less, especially for parts if not for labor as well.
Do you get the same keyboard in apple’s keyboard replacement program?
One of the questions I asked the Genius from Apple was, “If I replace my keyboard through this program, will the new keyboard that I get be any different? Does it solve the problem? Who is to say this won’t happen again? I want to know that my keyboard won’t fail spontaneously while I am traveling for work.”
The Genius replied, “It’s complicated. The short answer is: No, you will get the same exact keyboard. The new improved keyboard design found on the new 2018 MacBook Pro possesses a silicone membrane around each individual key to help block dirt and dust. The challenge is that the hardware is too large to fit into the frame of your laptop so using it is not an option. You will get the same style keyboard but it will be a clean one from the factory. Fortunately, should this issue happen again you can bring it right back and we will fix it again free of charge.”
(One thing that was never mentioned in this discussion is that this program is no longer valid after 4 years from the laptop’s first date of purchase.)
However, I do want to point out that I noticed one small discrepancy. Based on observation, I DID GET A DIFFERENT STYLE KEYBOARD. They removed my 2016 MacBook Pro keyboard and replaced it with a 2017 MacBook Pro keyboard. Pay special attention to the Control and Option Keys. I firmly believe this distiction was intentional and the reason why my arrow keys feel different now. I really believe ALL of the arrow keys on the 2016 model are somehow flawed right out of the box. That is why I think they are choosing to give everyone clean 2017 keys because they solve the arrow key issue (and only) that issue. I’m sure it wasn’t marketed an an official “improvement” because that would have meant Apple was admitting something was wrong with their 2016 keyboard in the first place. Dirt and dust remain an unsolved issue so the 2017 keyboard wasn’t much of an improvement in design anyway. They say that even if a SPECK OF DUST gets under a key, it can render the butterfly key mechanism useless.
Apple’s Apology Gift
Fortunately, Apple customer service does do a very good job with making customers feel valued. Apple sent me home with a repaired laptop and a free pair of AirPods! I thought that was extremely professional and generous considering what a hassle this keyboard has been. I didn’t expect to receive anything so the gesture showed how much Apple cares about their customers being 100% satisfied with their service.
Final Thoughts
I really think if you are having ANY problems with your keyboard, you should consider Apple’s Keyboard Service Program. Whether your keys are sticking, not registering when clicked, or repeating, a fresh FREE keyboard will do you no harm. If you have an external drive to save a back up of your data and you can spare the time away from your MacBook, I do think the repair program is worth considering. Perhaps the greatest appeal for me (besides being able to type again) was having a fresh brand new battery with 0 cycles put into my machine.
Now only time will tell how long it will be before I need another keyboard replacement installed.
Whoa. This kind of stressed me out…just reading it! I was looking at a new MacBook Pro earlier this year and the associate urged me to buy a $450-ish extended warranty, warning that any repairs after my initial warranty expired (and we all know how that goes!) would cost $600 just to open the computer up to assess the issue.
Talk about a deterrent!
But I am still curious about living that TouchBar life…how do you like that feature?
Tell me about it!! The MacBooks are SUPER portable and aesthetically beautiful with their current design. I think the TouchBar is somewhat of a gimmick. The main times I find myself using it are to find specific emojis and to fast forward and rewind videos. Is it sometimes convenient having it? Yes. Was it worth the markup over the baseline model without a touch bar? Debatable.
As for the extended warranty, it isn’t bad to have it. I think the best option might be to get a laptop and sell it once the manufacturer warranty is close to ending. Since that isn’t always convenient or practical, an extended warranty might be warranted.
I just sent in my MacBook Pro 2017 15” to get fixed and I’m wondering if you think they’ll give me a pair of AirPods if I didn’t really complain too much to them when I dropped it off. I told them my keyboard is trash and I hate it, and my screen was also discolored so they said they’d replace that too. Do you think I’d get a pair of AirPods too since I’m also going to do without a MacBook for so long? I already have a pair of AirPods, but they’re SUCKING so badly now, to where using the wired headphones have me sounding better than the AirPods do when I’m on the phone in my quiet apartment. So a replacement pair would be nice since I’m over the year mark for my AirPod warranty. Also, is the battery replacement guaranteed? Thanks for your helpful article! I was hoping they’d replace the 2017 keyboard with the 2018 one. Honestly had I known the 2017 model was so trash I would’ve bought the 2018 model instead.
It’s a total mix up. I think I got lucky because the circumstances through which the need for repair happened to me were especially troublesome. The Apple Genius actually inflicted more damage to the keyboard than the much smaller problem I faced when I brought it in. I have noticed from friends that AirPods really deteriorate with time. All you can do is ask, right? Maybe they can, maybe they can’t. It depends. As for the 2018 model, my sister owns it and hers overheats (no joke) almost daily. The keyboard replacement is basically promised as long as you ask for it and the worker sees there’s a need for it. I’m not so sure if they can deny your request (unless it is older than 4 years old.)
Exact same issue here, same model laptop and E key falling off, other keys sticky. Went to my genius bar appointment today and they told me that it would not be covered by the program and would cost about $500 to fix. Wtf. Seems this program is for media damage control only and they don’t care about addressing consumer issues.
That’s surprising! I can’t imagine why they would tell you that. I would think there is a legal obligation for them to fix it upon your request- for free. Did you show them the webpage that says they will fix laptops under their official Keyboard Replacement Program? (Which I believe was even *extended* further as of the other day when Apple released the new MacBooks and addressed the keyboard design problem once again!!)
Just sent in my MacBook for repairs because my left shift key came off ‘halfway’, my space bar works when it feels like it, and so does my return key. They told me it will take 5-7 working days to get the whole keyboard replaced. I am just glad I don’t have to pay for the repairs because of the replacement program that got extended.
Yeah, it’s not convenient but at least we aren’t being CHARGED for something that is essentially a flawed design. How did your laptop turn out after being repaired? Any better?
Ok, Sounds good.
I went to them Today and they claimed that they will change the entire top case like you…the Fact is my Laptop is 2017 model, the local dealer here in Egypt called Tradeline they informed me that it will replaced with a new one does not contain this fault ….which I doubt ….
don’t know yet thay contacted apple and told me to keep the laptop until the part come from apple and the repair process takes around one day which they will call period to bring them the lapto.
So far so good till now
How did your repair go? As far as I know, the 2017 models are included in the official keyboard replacement program.
I just sent my MacBook Pro late 2017 to them about few days ago and they did a check up and told me they’ll replace the whole keyboard to a newer one..
I really regret not asking them these as I didn’t wanna sound so needy,
Here are the questions that I still have In mind and would be happy for an answer!
1 – will they give me a 2017 keyboard or 2019?
2- will I get the paper “Apple replacement service” ?
3- if they did indeed gave me a 2019 keyboard, will it have Touch-Bar? Because I was don’t think 2019 models come without touch-bars.
I’ve read your whole article and some have answered the rest of my questions!
You will likely get a replacement 2017 keyboard. The only instance I am aware of where you put a keyboard from a model is with the 2016 laptops.
You should definitely receive a receipt following the service.
I can’t imagine that will install a Touch Bar if you didn’t originally have a laptop equipped with one. It wouldn’t make sense to. You’ll get the same keyboard you had originally. (Unless it’s a 2016.)
I tried fixing my grammar errors as was typing fast but the page crashed on me and it sent the message lmaoo but here we go,
I just sent my MacBook Pro late 2017 to them about few days ago and they did a check up and told me they’ll replace the whole keyboard to a newer one..
I really regret not asking them these as I didn’t wanna sound so needy,
Here are the questions that I still have In mind and would be happy for an answer!
1 – will they give me a 2017 keyboard or 2019?
2- will I get the paper “Apple replacement service” ?
3- if they did indeed give me a 2019 keyboard, will it have Touch-Bar? Because I don’t think 2019 models come without touch-bars.
I’ve read your whole article and some have answered the rest of my questions!
Sorry to hear the page crashed on you. Hopefully it won’t do that ever again. I hope I addressed all of your questions in my reply to the comment you posted above. Apologies in the delay in getting back to you. I’ve since upgraded to a 2020 MacBook Pro with the Magic Keyboard and it is AMAZING. You can read more about the new computer here: https://www.therockysafari.com/2020/07/10/16-inch-macbook-pro-review/ I highly recommend the Magic Keyboard to anyone who is tired of using faulty butterfly keyboards.
I agree, they definitely need to make this information more freely available. I am currently awaiting the packing box to send mine off; had a bit of a flaff as apple initially wanted me to go to a store, but as there isn’t one near me they eventually agreed to pick up the device. I’ve a 12″ 2017 MacBook and the keyboard just seems to be getting worse. They’ve agreed it’ll all be covered under the keyboard repairs; I’m nervous but look forward to having a keyboard I can type properly on again! With covid, the process apparently now takes 14 days, but they said it could be sooner depending. I’ll shoot back in to keep you updated if you’re interested!
(A nice touch from them with the AirPods; considering the hassle they caused you, I think that’s a nice nod to apologising!)
Absolutely! Please come back and let us know it goes. I hope they take care of your repairs in a timely fashion. I’m glad after some back and forth that they agree to allow you to mail your laptop to them.
hi Rocky, a very useful blog indeed. I have just sent my MacBook Pro 2017 model for service, but after so much struggle!! In my case, all keys stopped working, except for the power button. Plus I had a very small hairline crack at the bottom of my display, which again I would say is a poor design from Apple. Even a small grain of sand particle between the display and the top case is enough to crack the screen when you close your Mac. Apple support said they will not replace keyboard (for free) unless I pay for a new display, which was costing a whooping $650+. They were literally trying to arm twist me. My Mac is not even two years old!
After multiple frustrating calls and visits to the service center, finally found a sensible person from within Apple who understood the issue completely and instructed the service center to replace just the keyboard under the program and not touch the display. Phew! Went through a lot trying to make them understand their own policy. All that they had to do was to be a little gentle while handling the machine.
My suggestion is, if you know your case is legitimate, just don’t give up until you find that one sensible person from Apple support. It is time consuming, but definitely worth it. Unfortunately the service center won’t do this for us, we will have to help ourselves.
Hopefully I get a new keyboard that doesn’t fail again.
WOW, that is QUITE a situation. First of all, I am so sorry that your entire keyboard and screen have gotten damaged on your laptop. Your message is so important: if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. You are entitled to the faulty keyboard replacement through Apple’s program so they were right to fix it for you. Still, I am so sorry your screen remains broken and I hope you manage to find a way to get that fixed as well.
I have a 2018 pro 15”. The “U” key started sticking, then the very next day waking it from sleep the keyboard now doesn’t work at all. Went to Genius Bar today and they said the program doesn’t cover a keyboard that doesn’t work, rather ones where a few keys stick or repeat and said it would be $678 for a new keyboard. I did not send it in. I’m having a hard time understanding how an issue that started with a sticky key and then led to a non-functional keyboard isn’t covered under this program. Pretty frustrating. Not sure what next steps to take to get someone different as when I call they send me to the Genius Bar. Same one.
Weird… I am no expert, but I’d suggest trying over and over and over again until you reach someone somewhere who can help. Escalate to higher management. Whether that be on the phone or in the store. No one wants to be “that guy” but I don’t think your request is unsubstantiated. Sounds like it fits the description of what the replacement program exists for. Maybe you can try a different Apple Store? Is there another one nearby?
Hi Rocky, Brought my MacBook Pro 13″ 2017 in about some keys repeating letters. Under Covid I was given an evening time slot. The Genuis Bar person checked the computer through a plastic divider and confirmed that the keyboard needed to be replaced. Two and half days later, my Mac was shipped back to me, arriving on a Saturday late morning. New top case, new batteries and seems like a new touch pad. Everything works and feels new. Very happy.
I am so glad to hear that your repair went well! Especially during these times. I hope it doesn’t give you any other problems. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
I want to document my experience in case anyone is going through a similar situation.
My 2016 15″ MacBook Pro was actually pretty good for the first few years I owned it. I didn’t experience any keyboard issues for the first 4 years although I was aware of the keyboard replacement program. Eventually, I noticed my computer started double pressing keys and just not behaving normally. I took it to the Apple store, and the Genius verified that the problems I was having were associated with the faulty butterfly mechanism. Unfortunately, the fine print states that the keyboard replacement program is only valid for 4 years from the initial sale of the computer. Therefore, my MacBook was not eligible and would cost over $700 to repair. I explained that we went through a pandemic and I was unable to bring my computer in for service. The Genius brushed it off, and said there was nothing he could do. He offered to take the keyboard back and clean the keys out. Unfortunately, this made things significantly worse. At this point the keyboard was almost useless because the keys were sticking and acting up. Politely, I asked him to document everything in the case notes and proceeded to leave the store. I immediately called customer support over the phone. After I explained the situation to the associate, I was quickly transferred to a senior advisor. Within 5 minutes, the advisor agreed that my problems were covered under the warranty and that she could manually bypass the 4 year limit. She was able to see that I went into the store and offered to ship a box to my door so I wouldn’t have to go back to the store. Currently I’m still waiting to get the box, so I’m not out of the woods just yet, but I’m very happy I was able to get someone to listen to me. Like the other comments suggest, don’t give up! Apple has many incredible customer service representatives who are compassionate and fully understand the issues we go through. Some (like the Genius at the store) are incredibly difficult and act like they’re paying for the repairs out of their own pockets.
If you’re in a similar situation, keep calling until you find a representative who will listen to what you have to say. I find that the stores are often too busy for associates to truly listen to you. I feel like they just say no and try to get you out of the store because they have many other customers waiting for their Genius appointments.
Thanks for sharing, RJ! I’m glad to hear that things ended up working out for you in the end. Sometimes it takes patience, sometimes it takes persistence.
You did such a wonderful article, didn’t expect one can write so much about just replacing a letter E key haha, but seriously I wish I had found this article some 3 years ago, but I did manage to fix my keyboard by just replacing the keycaps from replacementlaptopkeys(dot)com, I think I would have still gone just the key route, as I hate dealing with apple store and apple care.