If you bought a MacBook with the dreaded butterfly keyboard between 2015 and 2019, a pair of Benjamins could be on the way soon thanks to Apple.
On Tuesday, Appelagreedto settle a class action lawsuit against the company over the defective butterfly keyboards. As part of the settlement, Apple will pay $50 million.
Apple users who purchased a new MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro during this time are likely well aware of the defective keyboard issue. Customers found that the butterfly keyboards would often freeze or simply break and become unresponsive. Dust and small debris such as crumbs easily find their way under the keys of this keyboard and prove difficult to remove, preventing users from pressing the key.
In addition to the initial problems with the keyboard, Apple's response to the complaints was also lacking. To allay concerns, Applelauncheda repair program for MacBooks with butterfly keyboards. However, users were simply given another butterfly keyboard as a replacement, causing some Apple customers to have to return multiple times to repair the MacBook keyboard.
Apple continued to use the butterfly keyboard until2019, when it switched to a new "scissor switch“keyboard design.
The class action lawsuit against the company alleged that Apple knew the new keyboard design was defective and tried to cover up the problem. However, as part of the settlement agreement, Apple denied any wrongdoing.
If you're an Apple customer and bought a MacBook with a butterfly keyboard, cash compensation may be on the way. Advocates expect customers who had to replace multiple keyboards to receive a payout of up to $395. Those who need a keyboard replacement will get $125. If your MacBook only needed a keyboard replacement, you are eligible for $50.
Along with the cash payout, Apple agreed to continue providing these customers with free keyboard repairs for four years after their purchase.
However, all of this is subject to a judge approving the settlement. Only Apple customers in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Washington who needed repairs would be eligible.
And if you're wondering how hard that $50 million will hit Apple, the companyreported $25 billion in profitsjust last quarter.
FAQs
The $50 million settlement over Apple's bad butterfly keyboard design got final approval by a federal court judge in California, Reuters reported yesterday. US District Court Judge Edward Davila denied an attempt to amend the agreement, writing in his ruling that 86,000 people filed claims.
Is the MacBook keyboard settlement real? ›
UPDATE: The Court approved the Settlement on May 25, 2023, and the initial review of claims has been completed. If you filed a claim and you received a deficiency email or letter, you must respond on or before February 24, 2024.
Did Apple fix the butterfly keyboard? ›
Starting with the 16-inch MacBook Pro in November 2019, Apple ditched the butterfly keyboard and returned to using a scissor switch mechanism. The change was extended to the MacBook Air in March 2020, and to the 13-inch MacBook Pro in May 2020, marking the end of the problematic butterfly keyboard era for the Mac.
How do I claim an Apple class action lawsuit? ›
All eligible class members who meet these criteria have until Sept. 2, 2024, to submit their claims online. They can do so by filling out a form on the settlement website. If people are unsure that this class action applies to them, they can confirm by entering their serial number on the settlement website.
What is the class action lawsuit if you ever owned a MacBook Pro with a butterfly keyboard 2015 2019? ›
File photo of they keyboard of a MacBook laptop. If you purchased an Apple MacBook laptop equipped with a certain kind of keyboard between the years of 2015 and 2019, you may be eligible for a payment of up to $395 as part of a nationwide class-action settlement.
Did the US judge reject challenges to Apple's $50 million keyboard settlement? ›
The $50 million settlement over Apple's bad butterfly keyboard design got final approval by a federal court judge in California, Reuters reported yesterday. US District Court Judge Edward Davila denied an attempt to amend the agreement, writing in his ruling that 86,000 people filed claims.
How many times will Apple replace butterfly keyboard? ›
Make sure to hold the can of compressed air completely upright, or you may damage the laptop with cold wet propellant from the can of compressed air. FYI, Apple would replace the keyboard up to two times as long as the failure occurred within four years of the purchase of the laptop.
What year did Apple stop using butterfly keyboard? ›
Apple discontinued butterfly keyboards in July 2019. They now use a “scissor switch” mechanism that is far more reliable and offers a superior typing feel. However, it follows a 5-year saga during which Apple repaired a huge number of butterfly mechanism based keyboards.
Why did people hate the butterfly keyboard? ›
Unfortunately, that ultrathin design also meant the keys were prone to breaking or just not typing properly. Something as small as some bits of dust could get beneath them and render them inoperable.
How much will I get from the Apple settlement? ›
Users who paid Apple out of pocket for repairs or replacements for audio issues for their iPhone 7 or 7 Plus could receive a payment of at least $50 and up to $349. Customers who reported audio issues to the company, but did not pay Apple for out of pocket repairs or replacements, will receive payments of up to $125.
6. How do I know if I am part of the settlement? You are a member of the Settlement Class if you are or were (1) a United States owner of an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and/or SE device (2) that ran iOS 10.2.
How to submit an Apple claim? ›
If Your Device was Damaged, Lost or Stolen7: Start a claim online by visiting support.apple.com or call 800-APL-CARE (800-275-2273). Claims must be filed within 60 days of incident. circ*mstances surrounding your device's loss or theft.
How do I file a claim for Apple butterfly keyboard? ›
Here's how to file a claim
You can file a claim here, or call the Claims Administrator at 1-855-579-1311 for more information," the settlement website states. Proof of purchase along with the serial number of your laptop will be required for claim approval. The deadline to file a claim is March 6, 2023.
Could eligible MacBook owners get up to $395 from a nationwide class action lawsuit? ›
According to court documents, a lawsuit filed in 2022 alleges MacBooks sold between those years were equipped with defective butterfly keyboards. Apple denied all allegations claimed in the suit but agreed to a settlement of $50 million in July 2022. Individual payments for eligible customers could be as high as $395.
Is there really a class action suit against Apple? ›
The three suits against Apple follow at least two others, which are filed in the same district court. One of the two class-action suits charges that you're overpaying for Apple iCloud storage. The suit, filed on March 1, alleges that Apple makes it difficult for customers to use alternative data storage options.
What is the MacBook for everyone lawsuit? ›
Apple sold MacBooks with “defective” keyboards and affected owners could get paid, according to the terms of a national class-action settlement. Those who bought select Apple MacBook laptops between 2015 to 2019 could receive up to $395 as part of the $50 million settlement, court documents show.
Is there an Apple settlement? ›
You can be included in the settlement and receive a payment if you owned an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus between Sept. 16, 2016 and Jan. 3, 2023, and either complained to Apple regarding an issue covered by the settlement or paid Apple for a repair or replacement covered by the settlement.
How much does it cost to replace the keyboard on a MacBook Pro? ›
Official Apple Store Cost
Still under warranty or have AppleCare+? You'll likely be charged about $125. But that does not include keyboards that have been damaged by water or other liquids. Those repairs from Apple will cost you anywhere from around $600-$1,300, depending on the size and state of your laptop.
What is the Apple M1 lawsuit? ›
As 9To5Mac reports, Apple is facing a new class-action lawsuit claiming the displays on both the M1 MacBook Air and M1 MacBook Pro are cracking. The cracks apparently occur under normal use when opening or closing the laptops, or they just appear, only to be noticed the next time an owner returns to their MacBook.
