Apple Settles Butterfly Keyboard Class Action Lawsuit: Payments Now Issued
In a landmark resolution, Apple has begun distributing payments to eligible MacBook owners as part of a $50 million settlement stemming from issues with the butterfly keyboard design. This settlement, which was finalized in May 2023, addresses claims from 2015-2019 MacBook users who faced persistent problems with their butterfly keyboards.
A court has approved Apple's settlement of $50M to end a class-action lawsuit over the Butterfly keyboard mechanism in its 2015 and 2016 #MacBook lines. https://t.co/0pH8iWJtZw pic.twitter.com/QbmeagwVgB
— AppleInsider (@appleinsider) November 29, 2022
The Problematic Keyboard
Introduced in 2015 on the 12-inch MacBook, the butterfly keyboard was later included in the MacBook Pro (2016) and MacBook Air (2018). However, the design quickly garnered criticism for its reliability and durability issues, including sticky keys, duplicate characters, and complete typing failures. Apple eventually phased out the butterfly keyboard in favor of the Magic Keyboard starting with the 16-inch MacBook Pro in late 2019, and by mid-2020, the 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air also adopted the new design.
The Legal Battle
The legal dispute began in May 2018, with users alleging that the butterfly keyboard was "inoperable and unsuitable for its ordinary and intended use." Progressing through 2019, the lawsuit led to Apple being required to pay $50 million. The claims process, which began in late 2022, was restricted to residents in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, leaving out 43 states from the settlement.
Payouts were structured based on the severity of the keyboard issues:
- Up to $395 for two or more top case replacements
- Up to $125 for one top case replacement
- Up to $50 for keycap replacements
Payments Now Underway
As of June 27, 2024, the court authorized payments, and eligible MacBook owners are now receiving their settlement payouts. Payments began in August 2024, with many customers already reporting receipt of their checks. For those opting for digital payments, it is anticipated that these will also be processed within the week.
For those who have received their payments, it’s a welcomed relief that might help fund an upgrade or repair for those still using the butterfly keyboard MacBooks.
For more detailed information, visit the official settlement website or check for updates from MacRumors.
