Apple tree in 2015 and 2016 introduced updated keyboards for its MacBook and MacBook Pro, debuting new butterfly keys with domicile switches beneath each primal that minimize thickness while also providing a satisfying press under the fingers. Butterfly keys were offered in Macs betwixt 2015 and 2019.

13inchmacbookprokeyboard
Unfortunately, Apple's butterfly keyboards were highly controversial and have been called out every bit one of the visitor'due south worst design decisions due to their penchant for failure due to small particulates like crumbs or heat issues. All butterfly keyboards in MacBook Pro, MacBook, and MacBook Air models introduced betwixt 2016 and 2019 (and 2015 in the case of the MacBook) have butterfly keys that could be vulnerable to failure.

Apple tree in 2019 began phasing out the butterfly keyboard, and as of May 2020, it is no longer in use in new ‌MacBook Air‌ and MacBook Pro models, though older machines will continue to feel problems as these cannot be updated with the new scissor switch mechanisms.

What's the problem?

Butterfly keys utilise a butterfly mechanism that'south different from the scissor machinery used for traditional keyboards. Information technology'due south called a butterfly mechanism because the components underneath the key resembles a butterfly'due south wings, with a hinge in the centre rather than overlapping like a pair of pair of scissors.

Apple swapped to a butterfly machinery to make a thinner keyboard, which is possible because each cardinal moves less when pressed and so less space is needed. The keyboard provides a satisfying amount of travel and stability when each key is pressed, just unfortunately, the thin butterfly mechanism can go jammed up with crumbs, grit, and other particulates, resulting in keys that don't printing properly, keys that skip keystrokes, or keys that repeat letters.

scissor vs butterfly
Keyboard failure is an in Apple's notebooks considering replacing the keyboard requires the unabridged top assembly of the computer to be replaced, which is not a cheap repair.

Which Macs are affected?

All MacBook models have the potential to experience keyboard bug because the 2015 MacBook was the get-go car to go a butterfly keyboard. All 2016, 2017, and 2018 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models are vulnerable to failure despite some generational changes Apple tree has made to the keyboard with unlike models, which we'll explain more below. It's non still clear if the 2019 models are vulnerable due to component updates.

Apple's 2018 ‌MacBook Air‌ uses the same butterfly keyboard that'due south in the MacBook Pro, which has besides been the bailiwick of some failure complaints on Reddit and the MacRumors forums.

macbookprolineup
Note: Non all MacBook, MacBook Pro, and ‌MacBook Air‌ owners take experienced bug with the butterfly keyboard. Information technology is a problem that seems to be related to grit, nibble, and small particulate exposure, with some complaints of estrus issues, that affects a portion of MacBook, MacBook Pro, and ‌MacBook Air‌ owners.

Co-ordinate to Apple, simply a "pocket-size percentage" of Mac users take experienced problems with the butterfly keyboard, but anecdotal claims and the high visibility of the issue have resulted in a public perception that most butterfly keyboards neglect. This isn't true as some people have keyboards that are fine, but any Mac with a butterfly keyboard has the potential to feel issues.

What has Apple done?

Apple tree in June 2018 launched a keyboard repair programme for MacBook and MacBook Pro models equipped with butterfly keys, and in May 2019, the plan was expanded to comprehend all MacBook, MacBook Pro, and ‌MacBook Air‌ machines equipped with a butterfly keyboard, including the new 2019 models.

  • MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, Early 2015)
  • MacBook (Retina, 12­-inch, Early 2016)
  • MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, 2017)
  • ‌MacBook Air‌ (Retina, thirteen-inch, 2018)
  • MacBook Pro (thirteen­-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (thirteen-­inch, 2016, Iv 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 (fifteen-­inch, 2018)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt three Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2019)

Customers with eligible 2015 to 2019 machines that are experiencing keyboard problems can visit an Apple retail store or Apple Authorized Service Provider to receive repairs free of charge. The repair program is a huge deal, as prior to its initiation, some customers had to pay upward of $500 in fees to become their MacBook and MacBook Pro models repaired.

All MacBook, MacBook Pro, and ‌MacBook Air‌ models are covered for four years from the date of purchase, so 2019 machines are covered until 2023. Some machines are no longer covered under the program and do not take keyboards that Apple volition supersede.

What virtually 2018 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models?

Apple in 2018 debuted ‌MacBook Air‌ and MacBook Pro models that use an updated third-generation butterfly keyboard. The third-generation butterfly keyboard has a thin silicone barrier backside each cardinal, which was put in place as an ingress-proofing mensurate to prevent dust from getting in the keys.

ifixitbutterflykeyboardteardown

The silicone barrier on the third-generation MacBook Pro keyboard, via iFixit

There was promise following the launch of the tertiary-generation butterfly keyboard that information technology would cutting downwards on failures, just every bit a contempo report from The Wall Street Periodical pointed out, the 2018 MacBook Pro is even so prone to keyboard issues. Apple tree in a statement apologized, but did non outline specific repair options or future keyboard plans.

We are enlightened that a small number of users are having issues with their tertiary-generation butterfly keyboard and for that we are distressing. The vast bulk of Mac notebook customers are having a positive experience with the new keyboard.

It'due south possible 2018 machines with updated butterfly keyboards are failing less ofttimes, just 2018 MacBook Pro and ‌MacBook Air‌ owners have still been reporting issues, so these models should be avoided if yous're planning on buying an older machine.

What about 2019 MacBook Pro models?

Apple tree in May 2019 debuted new MacBook Pro models with boosted improvements to the 3rd-generation butterfly keyboard. The 2019 MacBook Pros have keyboards built with a new material that Apple claims volition significantly cutting downward on the keyboard failures that users have seen.

Apple tree did not provide specific details on the cloth change in the updated butterfly keyboard. Co-ordinate to an iFixit teardown, Apple made changes to the membrane that covers the keyboard switches.

2019 macbook pro key switches

2018 MacBook Pro parts on left, 2019 MacBook Pro parts on right in each paradigm

The membrane is clearer and smoother to the affect, and appears to be made with polyacetylene. There are too subtle changes to the metallic dome over each key switch, mayhap designed to convalesce problems with durability, bounce-back, or other issues.

According to Apple, 2018 MacBook Pro and ‌MacBook Air‌ machines that feel keyboard failures will be able to be upgraded with this new upgraded tertiary-generation butterfly keyboard. Older machines that do not employ the third-generation butterfly keyboard will non be able to be updated with the 2019 engineering science, but even this newer engineering science is prone to failure on occasion.

What do I do if my butterfly keyboard fails?

Regardless of which MacBook, ‌MacBook Air‌, or MacBook Pro you take, yous should contact Apple support or visit an Apple retail store for repair options. At present that all butterfly keyboards are covered, customers with an afflicted machine will have no problem getting a set up as long as they are within the purchase parameters of the program.

Apple tree is prioritizing MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboard repairs and requiring Apple retail staff to perform the repairs in store rather than sending machines off to a repair facility, which takes days. Apple is now aiming to offering adjacent-24-hour interval turnaround time MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboard replacements, which should improve the inconvenience of repairs.

In some cases, if yous get a large crumb underneath a fundamental, a key will feel locked in place. There are occasions where y'all can jerk the key to break upwards the crumb and get it working again, and Apple tree too recommends cleaning out the keyboard with compressed air.

No more butterfly keyboards?

With the launch of the 2020 16-inch MacBook Pro, xiii-inch MacBook Pro, and the 13-inch ‌MacBook Air‌, Apple has eliminated the butterfly keyboard from its notebook lineup. As of May 2020, there are no MacBooks made that characteristic the butterfly key mechanism, with Apple'southward newest machines all featuring a newer, more durable scissor switch mechanism for the keyboard, which Apple calls the "Magic Keyboard."

The scissor mechanism in the Magic Keyboard offers 1mm of cardinal travel and a stable cardinal feel, plus an Apple tree-crafted rubber dome that's designed to store more than potential free energy for a more responsive key press. Apple says that Magic Keyboard delivers a comfortable, satisfying, and repose typing experience. Design wise, the keyboard is similar to the butterfly keyboard options, but at that place'southward a concrete Escape central instead of a virtual central on the Impact Bar, and the Touch ID button is a dissever button too.

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