Apple’s Keyboard Service Program now includes 2018 MacBook Pro, 2018 MacBook Air and 2019 MacBook Pro

Apple launched a Keyboard Service Program in 2018, meant to help those afflicted with issues with the butterfly keyboard in select models. However, despite launching last year, the program didn’t include any 2018 model Mac notebooks for service coverage, even by the time 2019 rolled around. But that’s finally changing.

Following Apple’s unveiling of its first 8-core MacBook Pro (and updated 13-inch MacBook Pro as well), separate reports have released filling in a few blanks. Apple didn’t specifically mention in its announcement of the new early-2019 MacBook Pro lineup that it was updating the butterfly keyboard, but the company is making changes. That includes a new material used in the butterfly design.

That’s all we know about the change for now, though. Apple hopes this will reduce issues with the butterfly keyboard in the 2019 MacBook Pro (and future models yet to be announced). But what about the 2018 models?

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has expanded its Keyboard Service Program to include the 2018 MacBook Pro lineup, as well as the 2018 MacBook Air:

Apple on Tuesday said it was changing a material used in its butterfly keyboards and expanding its keyboard-repair program. The program previously covered first- and second-generation keyboards, but now includes coverage of the third-generation keyboards introduced last year on MacBook Air and high-end MacBook Pro models.

It was previously reported that Apple had put a bigger focus on butterfly keyboard repairs, especially in terms of turnaround time. Up until the change, it could take up to five days to get your keyboard repaired depending on the severity of the issue. However, as of April of this year, Apple made sure to allow repairs in its stores, which made turnaround time as fast as one day.

In addition to that, it’s being reported that if an owner of a third-generation butterfly keyboard has any issues, they can take it in for repair and probably get a switch to the newest butterfly keyboard design with the new material. First- and second-generation butterfly keyboards will just get repaired, and won’t get replaced with the newest design/material choice.

In Apple’s latest update to its Keyboard Service Program page, the company notes the addition of the 2018 and 2019 Mac notebook models. Yes, that does include the newest 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pro models that were just launched today.

Here is the full, updated list:

  • MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, Early 2015)
  • MacBook (Retina, 12­-inch, Early 2016)
  • MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, 2017)
  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
  • MacBook Pro (13­-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2017, 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)

Apple expanding its keyboard repair program is good news. As is the new material in the newest butterfly design. Hopefully it actually fixes something and people stop having issues.

Do you plan on getting your butterfly keyboard fixed now that more models are covered?