Apple has begun compensating customers of MacBook laptops sold between 2015 and 2019 with the infamously problematic butterfly keyboards.
A brief about MacBook owners may be compensated as part of a settlement in the butterfly keyboard lawsuit
Apple is currently making payments to customers who are eligible after settling a class-action lawsuit in July in which the corporation agreed to pay $50 million in damages. Here’s how to find out if you’re eligible, how much you’ll be paid, and how to file your claim.
How do you find out if you’re eligible?
Apple has begun emailing MacBook users with advice on how to determine if they are eligible for compensation and how to have their reimbursements approved. Recent emails to MacBook users show that a settlement has now been reached, which means that Apple has continued to reject any concerns concerning damaged keyboards, but has decided to settle with a $50 million reimbursement.
Andrew Martonik, our very own editor-in-chief, tweeted an excerpt from the initial settlement emails he received personally:
“Dear MacBook Owner, You are receiving this email because you previously contacted our firm regarding your MacBook laptop,” states the email addressed to owners. The Court granted preliminary approval on November 28, 2022, of a $50 million countrywide settlement that would benefit MacBook buyers who had their “Butterfly” keyboard repaired. www.KeyboardSettlement.com has more information regarding the settlement, eligibility, the approval process, and your options.”
If you received this email, you are a defendant in the lawsuit since you purchased a MacBook with a butterfly keyboard. The lawsuit includes MacBook models released between 2015 and 2019, including the 12-inch MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro. The complete list is as follows:
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, early 2015)
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, early 2016)
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
- MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
- MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 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)
Simply click on the Apple logo in the upper left corner of the Menu Bar, then select About This Mac. The model’s name will then show in the pop-up window.
How much money will you receive?
Compensation is divided into three categories that are eligible for a monetary settlement.
Group 1 Agreement Customers who had at least two repairs to their MacBook Pro that required replacing the top casing of the keyboard within four years of purchase are considered Class Members. This group is eligible for compensation ranging from $300 to $395 and will receive an automatic payout as well as an email notification about the settlement.
Customers in Group 2 Settlement Class include those who had at least one repair to their MacBook Pro that required switching out the top casing of the keyboard. This group is eligible for up to $125 in compensation and must submit a claim form in order to get it.
Customers who had at least one keycap replacement repair on their MacBook are included in Group 3 Settlement Class Members. This group is eligible for up to $50 in compensation and must submit a claim form in order to receive it.
How do you file your claim?
Following Apple’s acceptance of the $50 million compensation, a California court granted preliminary clearance on November 28 to proceed with disclosing details on how users can be compensated.
Claims must be submitted online or by mail by March 6, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. PT. To file a claim, either from Apple or the settlement member, proof of repair or purchase will be necessary.
Settlement participants may also object to the settlement, which must be done in writing and submitted to the court by February 10, 2023, or by attending a final hearing on March 16, 2023.
Anyone in Group 1 who hasn’t received an email or needs to confirm or alter their mailing address can do so at KeyboardSettlement.com.
Settlement participants can visit the settlement website for further information and submit claim forms. Members of the settlement can also mail completed forms to:
re: MacBook Keyboard Litigation Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91341
Seattle, WA 98111
Compensation is scheduled to be distributed following the final approval hearing on March 16. According to CNET, the case is still susceptible to appeals, which might cause payments to be delayed.
Why was Apple sued?
In 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed in California. Apple has been accused of withholding information concerning the quality of its butterfly keyboard design in order to keep devices on the market. According to PCMag, flaws in the keyboard design resulted in frequently mistyped keys, keys that felt “sticky,” or keys that continually failed to type.
Apple’s repair program reportedly did little to remedy underlying defects on MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air notebooks, instead replacing outdated butterfly keyboards with new ones, according to the magazine.
In 2020, Apple updated its Magic Keyboard MacBooks with models that used a more traditional “scissor switch” mechanism, which has been included in every MacBook since then.
