MacBook Butterfly Keyboard Lawsuit: Are You Eligible? | Digital trends (2024)

Apple continues to compensate owners of MacBook laptops sold between 2015 and 2019 that contained the infamousdefective butterfly keyboards.

Contents

  • This is how you know if you qualify
  • How much money do you get paid?
  • How to make your claim
  • Why was Apple sued?

Following the July settlement of a class action lawsuit in which the companyagreed to pay $50 million in damagesApple is now moving forward with payments to those who qualify. Here you can see whether you are included, how much you will be reimbursed and how you can submit your claim.

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This is how you know if you qualify

Apple has started emailing MacBook owners with instructions on how to find out if they qualify for compensation and how to get approval for their payments. Recent emails sent to MacBook owners indicate thisa settlement has now officially been reached, meaning that Apple has continued to deny all claims of defective keyboards but has agreed to settle for a $50 million payout.

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Our own editor-in-chief, Andrew Martonik, posted an excerpt from the first settlement emails he personally received:

Apple's "butterfly keyboard" class action just moved forward. Wow.pic.twitter.com/o7d6W6xtkT

—Andrew Martonik (@andrewmartonik)21 december 2022

The email sent to the owners reads as follows: "Dear MacBook owner, You are receiving this email because you previously contacted our company regarding your MacBook laptop. On November 28, 2022, the court issued an granted preliminary approval for a $50 million nationwide settlement that would benefit MacBook buyers who had their "Butterfly" keyboard repaired. Learn more about the settlement, eligibility, approval process and your options at www .KeyboardSettlement.com.”

If you have received this email, you are involved in the lawsuit regarding your purchase of a MacBook with butterfly keyboard. The lawsuit covers MacBooks, including 12-inch MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models released between 2015 and 2019. The full list is as follows:

  • MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, begin 2015)
  • MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, begin 2016)
  • MacBook (Retina, 12-tommer, 2017)
  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-tommer, 2018)
  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-tommer, 2019)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, four 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 (15-inch, 2018)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)

To identify your own MacBook, simply clickApple-logoat the top left above the menu bar and then clickAbout this Monc) The model name will then appear in the pop-up window.

How much money do you get paid?

The compensation includes three main groups who are entitled to a monetary settlement.

The Group 1 settlement class includes customers who have had at least two repairs to their MacBook Pro involving the replacement of the keyboard top case within a four-year period of purchase. This group will be eligible for compensation between $300 and $395 and will receive an automatic payment in addition to an email notification of the settlement.

The Group 2 settlement members include customers who have had at least one repair on their MacBook Pro that involved replacing the upper keyboard case. This group is eligible for compensation up to $125 and must submit an application form to receive compensation.

Group 3 settlement class members include customers who have had at least one replacement repair of their MacBook. This group is eligible for compensation up to $50 and must submit an application form to receive compensation.

How to make your claim

A California court on November 28 gave preliminary approval to continue sharing details of how customers could be compensated after Apple agreed to the $50 million payout.

Claims must be submitted online or via email no later than 11:59 PM. PT on March 6, 2023. To file a claim, either with Apple or the settlement member, proof of repair or purchase is required.

Settlement members also have the opportunity to appeal the settlement and must do so by filing a written claim with the court no later than February 10, 2023, or by attending a closing hearing, which will take place on March 16, 2023.

Any Group 1 members who did not receive an email or who need to verify or update their mailing address can do so at KeyboardSettlement.com.

For more information and to submit claim forms, members of the settlement can contact ussettlement website. Mediation members can also send completed forms to:

re: MacBook keyboard lawsuit
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91341
Seattle, WA 98111

The compensation is expected to expire after the final approval hearing on March 16. However, the case is still under appeal, which could delay paymentsCNET.

Why was Apple sued?

MacBook Butterfly Keyboard Lawsuit: Are You Eligible? | Digital trends (1)

Ofclass actionoriginated in California in 2018. Apple was accused of hiding details about the quality of its butterfly keyboard design to keep devices on the market. Flaws in the keyboard design led to repeatedly mistyped keys, keys that felt "sticky" or keys that consistently failed to type, according to researchers.PCMag.

Apple's efforts to address the issues with a repair program have reportedly done little to resolve the underlying bugs on the MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Airportable computers, and instead replace old butterfly keyboards with new ones, the publication added.

Apple replaced its Magic Keyboard MacBooks in 2020 with models with a more conventional "scissor switch" mechanism that has been included in all MacBooks since.

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MacBook Butterfly Keyboard Lawsuit: Are You Eligible? | Digital trends (2024)

FAQs

Is the MacBook butterfly keyboard settlement real? ›

If you bought a MacBook laptop sold between 2015 and 2019 equipped with a "Butterfly" keyboard, you may be eligible for payment from a class action settlement. UPDATE: The Court approved the Settlement on May 25, 2023, and the initial review of claims has been completed.

How much is the MacBook keyboard payout? ›

Under the terms of the settlement, Apple agreed to pay a combined $50 million to affected consumers, with those eligible in line to receive between $50 and $395, depending on the severity and quantity of repairs required.

Is Apple still replacing butterfly keyboards? ›

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.

Will Apple finally pay for broken keyboards on MacBooks? ›

Now, a US judge has finally cleared the way for Apple to settle with customers. Reuters reports that a US judge approved Apple's $50 million settlement with customers. Affected users will receive fees of between $50 and $395 from the Cupertino company. The court also rejected two key challenges to the settlement.

How much will the Apple settlement pay? ›

More than 2,000,000 consumers filed claims to be involved in the suit. As part of the settlement, Apple agreed to pay a minimum payment $310,000,000 and a maximum payment of up to $500,000,000, depending on the number of claims submitted.

Am I eligible for the Apple lawsuit? ›

The settlement site says customers may get money if you are or were: A United States owner of an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and/or SE device, That ran iOS 10.2. 1 or later or, in the case of iPhone 7 and 7 Plus devices, that ran iOS 11.2 or later before December 21, 2017, and.

How do I claim my Apple keyboard settlement? ›

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.

What is the settlement for the butterfly keyboard? ›

The $50 million settlement over Apple's bad butterfly keyboard design got final approval by a federal court judge in California, Reuters reported yesterday.

How to claim Apple settlement? ›

Only those users who have received a notice from Apple or the Settlement Administrator can file a payment claim right now. Head over to the official claim settlement website. Enter the notice ID and confirmation code. Now, provide your payment information, including how you want to receive the payment.

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.

Is Magic keyboard better than butterfly? ›

Apple has recently overhauled its entire Mac lineup to use a new scissor-switch design based off of the company's Magic Keyboard. This design improves travel and reliability, two areas the Butterfly Keyboard was especially weak in. So far, the reviews for the Magic Keyboard have praised the new design.

Why did Apple discontinue the butterfly keyboard? ›

Your preferences on key travel aside, the significant flaw with the butterfly keys was the threat dirt and debris pose when lodged under the keys. Unlike the scissor-switch, when dirt becomes lodged under the butterfly switch, it becomes virtually impossible to remove.

Do Apple take back old Macs? ›

Yes. Apple lets you recycle any Apple device and devices from Apple owned brands at any Apple Store and online. We'll make sure it's recycled responsibly or given a chance to be used again. You can bring your batteries and old Apple-products to any Apple Store, and we'll recycle them responsibly, free of charge.

How much does Apple charge to replace keyboard? ›

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 butterfly MacBook 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.

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.

What is the butterfly keyboard lawsuit? ›

If you bought an Apple MacBook with an ill-fated butterfly keyboard and ended up having to replace either individual keycaps or the whole keyboard, you may be eligible to claim part of a $50 million settlement reached after a class-action lawsuit.

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