Apple Butterfly Keyboard Payout: Who Gets Paid

Apple is finally paying out for broken butterfly keyboards, but only to people who bought a qualifying MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air and filed a claim under the class action settlement. The payout is part of a $50 million settlement approved in 2022, and payments began rolling out in late 2024. If you owned one of the affected models and submitted a claim by the deadline, you may be eligible for a payment of up to $395 for keyboard repairs or replacements.

Formula

The estimated maximum payout is calculated as:

Max payout = $395 − $50 × (years since purchase)

Where years since purchase is the time in months divided by 12. The formula is a simplification of the settlement’s tiered structure: the longer you owned the computer before the repair, the lower the reimbursement. The number of repairs does not change the maximum, but it can affect whether you qualify for the highest tier.

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator: 24 months since purchase and 1 repair.

• Years since purchase = 24 / 12 = 2
• Max payout = $395 − $50 × 2 = $395 − $100 = $295

So a MacBook owner who had one repair two years after buying it could expect a maximum reimbursement of about $295, assuming the repair cost that much and the claim was approved.

Background: The Butterfly Keyboard Problem

Apple introduced the butterfly keyboard in 2015 with the 12-inch MacBook, and later used it in MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models through 2019. The design was meant to make keyboards thinner and more stable, but it turned out to be prone to failure. Keys would stick, repeat characters, or stop working entirely due to dust, crumbs, or even normal wear. Apple faced multiple class action lawsuits and eventually launched a repair program, but many customers were still left with out-of-pocket costs.

The settlement covers MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air models sold between 2015 and 2019 that shipped with butterfly keyboards. It does not cover models with the newer scissor-switch Magic Keyboard introduced in late 2019.

Who Is Eligible for the Payout?

To receive a payment, you must have owned one of the affected models and either had the keyboard repaired or replaced at your own expense, or submitted a claim even if you didn’t have a repair. The settlement allowed claims for:

• One or more keyboard repairs or replacements paid for by the owner
• Top-case replacements (which include the battery and keyboard) that were billed to the owner
• Claims without a repair, but those received a smaller payment (typically around $50)

The deadline to file a claim was March 6, 2023, so new claims are no longer accepted. If you missed the deadline, you cannot get a payout now, but you may still be covered by Apple’s extended repair program for certain models.

How Much Money Can You Get?

The settlement established a tiered payment system based on the number of repairs and the time since purchase. The maximum payment was $395 for one repair within the first year of ownership. Payments decreased as time passed:

• 1 repair within 1 year: up to $395
• 1 repair within 2 years: up to $295
• 1 repair within 3 years: up to $195
• 1 repair within 4 years: up to $95
• 2 or more repairs: up to $395 regardless of time
• No repair, just a claim: $50

Actual payments may be lower if the total claims exceed the settlement fund. In early 2025, many claimants reported receiving amounts close to the maximum, but Apple and the settlement administrator did not guarantee a specific amount.

How to Check Your Payment Status

If you filed a claim, you should have received an email or a letter with a claim ID. You can check the status on the official settlement website (www.keyboardsettlement.com) by entering your claim ID and email address. Payments were distributed via prepaid Mastercard or PayPal, depending on what you chose when filing. If you haven’t received anything yet, it may still be processing, or your claim may have been rejected for missing information.

If you believe your claim was wrongly denied, you can contact the settlement administrator directly using the contact form on the website. Keep your original repair receipts and any correspondence from Apple, as they may be needed for an appeal.

Common Misconceptions

One common misconception is that the settlement covers all MacBook keyboards. It does not—only the butterfly keyboard models listed in the settlement. Another is that you can still file a claim; the deadline has passed. Also, the payout is not automatic: you had to submit a claim form even if you had a repair record. Apple did not proactively reach out to all affected customers.

Another misconception is that the settlement replaces your keyboard. It doesn’t—it only reimburses past out-of-pocket costs. If your keyboard is still broken, you need to use Apple’s repair program or pay for a repair yourself.

What If You Never Filed a Claim?

If you missed the deadline, you have no legal recourse through this settlement. However, Apple’s Keyboard Service Program (launched in 2018) still offers free repairs for eligible butterfly keyboard models for up to four years after the original purchase date. If your MacBook is within that window, you can still get a free repair at an Apple Store or authorized service provider. After the window closes, you’ll have to pay for the repair yourself, which can cost $300–$500 depending on the model and whether the top case needs replacement.

Some users have successfully used consumer protection laws in their country to get refunds or repairs beyond the program, but that depends on local regulations and is not guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the $50 million settlement enough to pay everyone?

The settlement fund was $50 million, and the administrator estimated that payments would be reduced if claims exceeded that amount. In practice, the number of claims was lower than feared, so most eligible claimants received close to the maximum amount for their tier. If you filed a claim, you likely received a payment in early 2025.

Do I need to pay taxes on the payout?

Generally, class action settlements for physical injury or property damage are not taxable, but reimbursements for repair costs could be considered a return of your own money. Since the payment compensates you for a loss, it’s usually not taxable income. However, tax laws vary by country and situation, so consult a tax professional if you’re unsure.

Can I still get a free keyboard repair from Apple?

Yes, if your MacBook is one of the affected models and within four years of the original purchase date, Apple’s service program covers free repairs. You can check your eligibility on Apple’s support page or at an Apple Store. The program covers all butterfly keyboard MacBooks, not just those in the US.

How do I know if my MacBook has a butterfly keyboard?

Butterfly keyboards were used in the 12-inch MacBook (2015–2017), MacBook Pro (2016–2019), and MacBook Air (2018–2019). The keys are flatter and have less travel than the older scissor-switch keyboards. You can also check your model’s year in the Apple menu > About This Mac. If it’s a 2019 or earlier MacBook Pro or Air, it likely has a butterfly keyboard.

What if I sold my MacBook before filing a claim?

You were still eligible to file a claim as the original owner, as long as you had paid for a repair. The settlement didn’t require you to still own the computer. If you sold it but had repair receipts, you could have filed. The deadline has passed, so no new claims are possible.

Why did the payout take so long?

Class action settlements take time because they go through court approval, appeals, and the claims administration process. The settlement was approved in 2022, but payments only started in late 2024 after all claims were reviewed and the fund was allocated. This is typical for large class actions.

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in t | Time since purchase (months) | months | 24 | 0 | 120
in r | Number of repairs | count | 1 | 0 | 10
out max | Estimated max payout | USD | 395 - 50 * (t / 12) + 0 * sqrt(r) | 0