Apple has started paying compensation to MacBook users with a butterfly keyboard

Apple has begun paying compensation to users who encountered problems with the Butterfly keyboard on MacBook laptops, although the settlement of the class action lawsuit against it was not approved by the court until 2022.

Image source: iFixit

A class action lawsuit against Apple was filed by users in 2018 due to problems with the butterfly mechanism, which caused the keys to “stick” and often fail after exposure to dust. The company was accused of being aware of the imperfections of the butterfly mechanism, but continued to produce laptops with such a keyboard.

Apple used the butterfly keyboard in laptops from 2015 to 2018. Attempts to improve the butterfly mechanism did not lead to anything – users still encountered frequent keyboard breakdowns due to debris getting into it. Due to this, Apple was forced to launch a free repair program for such keyboards, and eventually switched to a new keyboard design with the release of the 16-inch MacBook Pro in 2019.

Although Apple agreed to pay $50 million as part of a class action settlement, it continued to deny that the butterfly keyboard was defective. Under the settlement agreement, MacBook owners who had to replace the keyboard panel once within four years of purchasing the laptop are entitled to $125 in compensation, while customers who had to replace it two or more times are entitled to receiving $300–395. Customers who only needed replacement keys will receive $50.

It should be noted that the terms of the agreement only apply to users who purchased a MacBook in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Washington.