Apple tree in 2022 and 2022 introduced updated keyboards for its MacBook and MacBook Pro, debuting new butterfly keys with home switches beneath each central that minimize thickness while also providing a satisfying printing nether the fingers. Butterfly keys were offered in Macs betwixt 2022 and 2022.

13inchmacbookprokeyboard
Unfortunately, Apple tree's butterfly keyboards were highly controversial and have been chosen out as ane of the company's worst design decisions due to their penchant for failure due to small particulates like crumbs or estrus issues. All butterfly keyboards in MacBook Pro, MacBook, and MacBook Air models introduced between 2022 and 2022 (and 2022 in the case of the MacBook) have butterfly keys that could be vulnerable to failure.

Apple in 2022 began phasing out the butterfly keyboard, and every bit of May 2022, information technology is no longer in use in new ‌MacBook Air‌ and MacBook Pro models, though older machines volition go on to experience issues every bit these cannot be updated with the new scissor switch mechanisms.

What's the problem?

Butterfly keys use a butterfly mechanism that's unlike from the scissor mechanism used for traditional keyboards. It's called a butterfly machinery considering the components underneath the central resembles a butterfly's wings, with a hinge in the centre rather than overlapping like a pair of scissors.

Apple swapped to a butterfly machinery to make a thinner keyboard, which is possible considering each key moves less when pressed so less space is needed. The keyboard provides a satisfying corporeality of travel and stability when each fundamental is pressed, just unfortunately, the thin butterfly mechanism can get jammed upward with crumbs, dust, and other particulates, resulting in keys that don't press properly, keys that skip keystrokes, or keys that repeat messages.

scissor vs butterfly
Keyboard failure is an in Apple'southward notebooks because replacing the keyboard requires the entire pinnacle assembly of the calculator to be replaced, which is not a cheap repair.

Which Macs are afflicted?

All MacBook models have the potential to experience keyboard problems because the 2022 MacBook was the first machine to get a butterfly keyboard. All 2022, 2022, and 2022 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models are vulnerable to failure despite some generational changes Apple has made to the keyboard with different models, which we'll explain more below. It's non even so articulate if the 2022 models are vulnerable due to component updates.

Apple's 2022 ‌MacBook Air‌ uses the same butterfly keyboard that'south in the MacBook Pro, which has also been the field of study of some failure complaints on Reddit and the MacRumors forums.

macbookprolineup
Note: Not all MacBook, MacBook Pro, and ‌MacBook Air‌ owners have experienced problems with the butterfly keyboard. It is a trouble that seems to be related to grit, crumb, and small particulate exposure, with some complaints of estrus problems, that affects a portion of MacBook, MacBook Pro, and ‌MacBook Air‌ owners.

According to Apple tree, only a "modest pct" of Mac users have experienced issues with the butterfly keyboard, merely anecdotal claims and the high visibility of the issue have resulted in a public perception that most butterfly keyboards fail. This isn't truthful every bit some people accept keyboards that are fine, just any Mac with a butterfly keyboard has the potential to experience problems.

What has Apple done?

Apple tree in June 2022 launched a keyboard repair program for MacBook and MacBook Pro models equipped with butterfly keys, and in May 2022, the plan was expanded to cover all MacBook, MacBook Pro, and ‌MacBook Air‌ machines equipped with a butterfly keyboard, including the new 2022 models.

  • MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, Early on 2022)
  • MacBook (Retina, 12­-inch, Early on 2022)
  • MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, 2022)
  • ‌MacBook Air‌ (Retina, 13-inch, 2022)
  • MacBook Pro (13­-inch, 2022, 2 Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (thirteen-­inch, 2022, Two Thunderbolt three Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2022, 4 Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (xiii-­inch, 2022, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2022)
  • MacBook Pro (fifteen-­inch, 2022)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2022, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2022)
  • MacBook Pro (xiii-inch, 2022, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2022)

Customers with eligible 2022 to 2022 machines that are experiencing keyboard issues can visit an Apple retail shop 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 upwards of $500 in fees to get their MacBook and MacBook Pro models repaired.

All MacBook, MacBook Pro, and ‌MacBook Air‌ models are covered for 4 years from the date of purchase, so 2022 machines are covered until 2023. Some machines are no longer covered under the program and do non have keyboards that Apple will replace.

What about 2022 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models?

Apple in 2022 debuted ‌MacBook Air‌ and MacBook Pro models that use an updated third-generation butterfly keyboard. The tertiary-generation butterfly keyboard has a thin silicone bulwark behind each key, which was put in place as an ingress-proofing measure to prevent dust from getting in the keys.

ifixitbutterflykeyboardteardown

The silicone barrier on the 3rd-generation MacBook Pro keyboard, via iFixit

There was hope following the launch of the third-generation butterfly keyboard that it would cutting down on failures, but equally a recent report from The Wall Street Journal pointed out, the 2022 MacBook Pro is still prone to keyboard issues. Apple in a statement apologized, but did not outline specific repair options or futurity keyboard plans.

Nosotros are aware that a small number of users are having issues with their third-generation butterfly keyboard and for that we are sad. The vast majority of Mac notebook customers are having a positive feel with the new keyboard.

It'due south possible 2022 machines with updated butterfly keyboards are failing less oftentimes, merely 2022 MacBook Pro and ‌MacBook Air‌ owners have still been reporting issues, so these models should exist avoided if you're planning on buying an older machine.

What about 2022 MacBook Pro models?

Apple in May 2022 debuted new MacBook Pro models with boosted improvements to the third-generation butterfly keyboard. The 2022 MacBook Pros have keyboards built with a new material that Apple claims will significantly cut down on the keyboard failures that users take seen.

Apple did not provide specific details on the cloth alter in the updated butterfly keyboard. According to an iFixit teardown, Apple fabricated changes to the membrane that covers the keyboard switches.

2019 macbook pro key switches

2018 MacBook Pro parts on left, 2022 MacBook Pro parts on right in each prototype

The membrane is clearer and smoother to the affect, and appears to exist fabricated with polyacetylene. At that place are as well subtle changes to the metal dome over each cardinal switch, perhaps designed to convalesce bug with durability, bounce-dorsum, or other issues.

Co-ordinate to Apple, 2022 MacBook Pro and ‌MacBook Air‌ machines that experience keyboard failures volition be able to exist upgraded with this new upgraded third-generation butterfly keyboard. Older machines that do not use the third-generation butterfly keyboard will not exist able to exist updated with the 2022 technology, but fifty-fifty this newer technology is decumbent to failure on occasion.

What exercise I do if my butterfly keyboard fails?

Regardless of which MacBook, ‌MacBook Air‌, or MacBook Pro y'all have, you lot should contact Apple support or visit an Apple retail store for repair options. Now that all butterfly keyboards are covered, customers with an affected machine volition accept no problem getting a set up equally long as they are within the purchase parameters of the plan.

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 tree is now aiming to offer side by side-day turnaround time MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboard replacements, which should improve the inconvenience of repairs.

In some cases, if you get a big nibble underneath a primal, a key will experience locked in identify. There are occasions where you can wiggle the key to break up the crumb and go it working again, and Apple tree likewise recommends cleaning out the keyboard with compressed air.

No more butterfly keyboards?

With the launch of the 2022 sixteen-inch MacBook Pro, thirteen-inch MacBook Pro, and the 13-inch ‌MacBook Air‌, Apple tree has eliminated the butterfly keyboard from its notebook lineup. Equally of May 2022, there are no MacBooks fabricated that characteristic the butterfly cardinal machinery, with Apple tree's 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 key feel, plus an Apple-crafted rubber dome that's designed to store more potential energy for a more than responsive key press. Apple tree says that Magic Keyboard delivers a comfortable, satisfying, and quiet typing experience. Design wise, the keyboard is like to the butterfly keyboard options, but there's a concrete Escape fundamental instead of a virtual primal on the Affect Bar, and the Touch on ID button is a separate push too.

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