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Apple introduced its butterfly mechanism in 2015, signalling a major redesign of the keyboard meant to accommodate the 12-inch MacBook's sleek frame.
- Customers have been having issues with Apple's butterfly keyboard in the years following the 12-inch MacBook's launch in 2015.
- The problems emerged in the public eye yet again after Apple recently issued an apology.
- Below is a timeline of the major developments that have occurred in recent years when it comes to Apple's controversial butterfly keyboard.
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If you've ever noticed that the space bar on your new MacBook Pro doesn't work, or that certain letter keys don't respond when pressed, you're not alone.
In the years since Apple launched its butterfly keyboard on the 12-inch MacBook in 2015, customers have reported various issues - some involving keys that register twice when tapped once, keys that feel stuck, or keys that don't work at all. The issue was brought to light again in March after the Wall Street Journal published a column about the problem, which prompted an apology from Apple.
Apple has said it's aware that a small number of users are having issues with the third-generation butterfly keyboard, which can be found on products like the 2018 MacBook Pro and new MacBook Air. The company has also determined that a small percentage of first- and second-generation butterfly keyboards may exhibit similar behavior. These keyboards can be found on devices like the 12-inch MacBook and the MacBook Pros Apple launched in 2016 and 2017.
The newest laptop models fall under Apple's warranty service, while issues with older versions can be addressed through the company's Keyboard Service Program. If you're experiencing any issues with your keyboard, you should contact Apple Support and take your laptop to an Apple Store to be assessed. Depending on the situation, Apple may need to replace individual keys or the entire keyboard. The exact cause behind these issues is unclear, but they could be the result of dirt or debris getting underneath the keyboard.
Apple introduced its butterfly mechanism in 2015, signalling a major redesign of the keyboard meant to accommodate the 12-inch MacBook's sleek frame. Apple described this butterfly keyboard as being 40% thinner than the traditional scissor mechanism used in older keyboards when it unveiled the device more than four years ago.
Here's how the problems have unfolded over the last several years.