A court authorized the Notice because individuals or entities who bought Apple MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro MacBook laptops between 2015 and 2019 that were equipped with a butterfly keyboard mechanism have the right to know about a legal settlement. If you qualify as a Settlement Class Member and you received a qualifying repair, you can get a payment.

To find out if you qualify, see Questions 5-6 below.

The Notice explains the lawsuit, the Settlement, your legal rights, what benefits are available, who is eligible for them, and how to get them.

Judge Edward J. Davila of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California is in charge of this case. The case is In re MacBook Keyboard Litigation, No. 5:18-cv-02813-EJD (N.D. Cal.). The proposed Settlement also resolves a related case called Huey v. Apple, No. 2018-CA-004200-B, pending in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

Plaintiffs claim that Defendant sold MacBook laptops with butterfly keyboards that are defective. Plaintiffs allege that purchasers have experienced the following keyboard issues as a result of this alleged defect:

• Letters or characters repeat unexpectedly;
• Letters or characters do not appear; and
• Key(s) feel “sticky” or do not respond in a consistent manner.

Apple denies all of the allegations made in the lawsuit, denies that any MacBooks are defective, and denies that Apple did anything improper or unlawful. Apple asserts numerous defenses to the claims in this case. The proposed settlement to resolve this case is not an admission of guilt or wrongdoing of any kind by Apple.

In a class action, one or more individuals and/or entities called “class representatives” sue on behalf of themselves and other individuals and/or entities who have similar claims. This group of individuals and/or entities is called the “class,” and the individuals and/or entities in the class are called “class members.” One court resolves the issues for all class members, except for people who exclude themselves from the class.

The Court did not decide in favor of the Plaintiffs or the Defendant. Instead, both sides agreed to a Settlement. That way, they avoid the costs and risks of a trial, and the allegedly affected Settlement Class Members can get benefits or compensation. The class representatives and their attorneys think the Settlement is best for the Settlement Class.

The Settlement Class includes all persons and entities in the United States who purchased, other than for resale, one or more of the following Apple MacBook models:

Together, these models are referred to as the “Class Computers”. The Settlement Class includes all purchasers, including individuals, corporations, and other entities. It does not include any entity in which Apple has a controlling interest; Apple’s directors, officers and employees; Apple’s legal representatives, successors, and assigns; members of the Court; and all persons who submit valid requests to be excluded from the Settlement.

If you are not sure whether you are included in the Settlement Class, you can call the Claims Administrator at 1-855-579-1311 for more information.

You can also quickly determine the make/model of your MacBook by selecting “About This Mac” under the Apple menu in the top left portion of the screen, or by entering the serial number from the bottom of the MacBook into this page on Apple's website: https://checkcoverage.apple.com/.

Apple will pay $50 million into a Settlement Fund. After deduction of the costs of notice and settlement administration, any award of attorneys’ fees (up to 30% of the Settlement Fund), litigation costs, and any service awards for the Class Representatives (up to $5,000 to each of the twelve individual Class Representatives), the Settlement Fund will be distributed to Settlement Class Members in accordance with a plan of allocation that accounts for the number of eligible Settlement Class Members in each of the three Settlement categories. The plan of allocation is described in detail in the Settlement Agreement.

The amount of the payments for each Group will vary depending on the number of valid claims received. Group 1 Settlement Class Members are estimated to receive a payment between $300 and $395. Eligible Group 2 Settlement Class Members are estimated to receive up to $125 and eligible Group 3 Settlement Class Members are estimated to receive up to $50. In addition, Apple’s Keyboard Service Program (https://support.apple.com/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks) provides four years of protection and remains available for any Settlement Class Member who may experience future issues within four years of purchase.

We will not know the final amounts that each group will receive until all claims are evaluated. Please be patient.

The amount Settlement Class Members will receive (and what they must do to get a payment) depends on which of the three categories they fall into and how many eligible Settlement Class Members are ultimately determined to fall into each category.

Group 1: Multiple Topcase Replacements. Settlement Class Members who, within four years of purchasing a Class Computer, obtained two or more Topcase Replacements, will receive a payment without the need to submit a claim. Settlement Class Members in this group were sent an email or postcard Notice confirming eligibility for payment and requesting confirmation of contact information. It is estimated that Settlement Class Members in this group will receive an initial payment of $300, but the actual payment could be more or less, depending on the number of eligible Settlement Class Members in each category. The maximum payment for Group 1 Settlement Class Members is $395. A Settlement Class Member can meet the eligibility requirements for this group and receive payment if they obtain two or more Topcase Replacements anytime until November 28, 2024. Please go to the Change of Address form or see Question 15 for more information on how to update your address.

Group 2: Single Topcase Replacement. Settlement Class Members who, within four years of purchasing a Class Computer, obtained a single Topcase Replacement, must have submitted a claim to receive payment. Settlement Class Members in this Group must have declared that the repair did not resolve their keyboard issues. Settlement Class Members who obtained a single Topcase Replacement must have submitted a Claim Form by March 6, 2023*. Settlement Class Members whose purchase or repair is not reflected in Apple’s records will also need to provide proof of purchase and/or repair.  The maximum payment for Group 2 Settlement Class Members is $125, but it may be less. The amount of the payments for Group 2 Settlement Class Members will depend on the number of eligible Settlement Class Members and valid claims for all categories. 

Group 3: Keycap Replacements. Settlement Class Members who, within four years of purchasing a Class Computer, obtained one or more Keycap Replacements, must have submitted a claim to receive payment. Settlement Class Members in this Group must have declared that the repair did not resolve their keyboard issues. Settlement Class Members who obtained Keycap Replacements must have submitted a Claim Form by March 6, 2023*. Settlement Class Members whose purchase or repair is not reflected in Apple’s records will also need to provide proof of purchase and/or repair. The maximum payment for Group 3 Settlement Class Members is $50, but it may be less. The amount of the payments for Group 3 Settlement Class Members will depend on the number of eligible Settlement Class Members and valid claims for all categories. 

For more information on the plan of allocation, please review the Settlement Agreement.

If you own a Class Computer and did not obtain a Keycap Replacement or Topcase Replacement within the first four years of ownership, you are not eligible for payment. Apple’s Keyboard Service Program (https://support.apple.com/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks) provides four years of protection and remains available for any Class Member who may experience future issues within four years of purchase.

*Unless the specific notice you received indicates otherwise.

If you received a record of the repair from Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, it will specify whether you received a Topcase Replacement or a Keycap Replacement.

A Topcase Replacement refers to the replacement of the full keyboard module (including the battery, track pad, speakers, top case, and keyboard), performed by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

A Keycap Replacement refers to the replacement of one or more keycaps on a keyboard, performed by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, and does not involve replacement of the full keyboard module.

If you are still unsure whether you received a Topcase Replacement or Keycap Replacement, you can call the Claims Administrator at 1-855-579-1311 for more information.

No. Settlement payments are only available to Settlement Class Members who received repairs performed by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. The Settlement does not provide reimbursement for any other out of pocket expenses.

Unless you excluded yourself with an Opt Out request (see Question 19), you cannot sue, continue to sue, or be part of any other lawsuit against Apple about the issues in this case. The “Releases” section in the Settlement Agreement describes the legal claims that you gave up if you remained a Settlement Class Member.

If you appear in Apple’s records as having received multiple Topcase Replacements, you were sent a summary notice via email or postcard stating that you are a Group 1 Settlement Class Member. Settlement Class Members in Group 1 will receive a payment without the need to submit a claim when the Settlement becomes effective.

If you appear in Apple’s records as having received a single Topcase Replacement or Keycap Replacement, you are a Group 2 or Group 3 Settlement Class Member and were sent an email or postcard with a Unique ID that you could have used to complete and submit an Online Claim Form that was pre-populated with information regarding your claim. Paper Claim Forms were also available. 

If you received an email or postcard notice, but do not appear in Apple's records as having received a Topcase Replacement or Keycap Replacement, you could have used the Unique ID in your notice to complete and submit an Online Claim Form that was pre-populated with information regarding your claim, but you needed to provide additional information, including supporting your claim with reasonable documentation and information that you received a Topcase Replacement or a Keycap replacement. Paper Claim Forms were also available. 

Each MacBook may be the subject of only one claim. Settlement Class Members who purchased multiple Class Computers should have submitted a separate claim for each MacBook they purchased.

If you purchased 25 or more Class Computers, a special process was established to facilitate claim filing.

For Settlement Class Members not in Group 1 who obtained a single Topcase Replacement or one or more Keycap Replacements, the deadline to submit a Claim was March 6, 2023*, and has passed. 

*Unless the specific notice you received indicates otherwise.

The Court held a hearing on March 16, 2023, and approved the Settlement on May 25, 2023. There may be appeals. The appeal process can take time. If there is no appeal, your settlement benefit will be processed promptly. Please be patient.

Updates regarding the Settlement and when payments will made will be posted on this Settlement Website's Home page.

All Settlement Class Members can update their mailing address or other contact information by using the electronic Change of Address form. You can also request an update to your mailing address or other contact information by writing to In re MacBook Keyboard Litigation Settlement, c/o JND Legal Administration, PO Box 91341, Seattle, WA 98111.

If you update your address by email or mail, you must include:

• your name;
• the case name: In re MacBook Keyboard Litigation Settlement;
• your old mailing address for verification purposes;
• your new address.

Yes. The Court appointed the law firms of Girard Sharp LLP and Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP to represent you and the other Settlement Class Members. These firms are called Class Counsel. You will not be charged for their services.

You do not need to hire your own lawyer, as Class Counsel is working on your behalf. If you want your own lawyer, you may hire one, but you will be responsible for any payment for that lawyer’s services. For example, you can ask your own lawyer to appear in court if you want someone other than Class Counsel to speak for you. You may also appear for yourself without a lawyer.

Class Counsel asked the Court for an award of attorneys’ fees of up to 30% of the Settlement Fund, litigation expenses, and service awards to the Class Representatives of up to $5,000 each. The Court approved these amounts. All of these amounts, as well as the costs associated with notice and administering the settlement, will be paid from the Settlement Fund.

A copy of Class Counsel’s Motion for Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses and for Named Plaintiff Service Awards is available on the Important Documents page of this Settlement Website. 

The deadline to Opt Out was February 10, 2023*, and has passed.

*Unless the specific notice you received indicates otherwise.

No. Unless you opted out, you gave up the right to bring any other claim against Apple related to the subject matter of the claims in this case. You must have excluded yourself from the Class if you want to try to pursue your own lawsuit.

If you opted out of the Settlement, you do not have any rights as a member of the Settlement Class under the Settlement; you will not receive any payment as part of the Settlement; you are not bound by any further orders or judgments in this case; and you kept the right, if any, to sue on any claims against Apple related to the subject matter of the claims in this case at your own expense.

The deadline to object was February 10, 2023*, and has passed.

*Unless the specific notice you received indicates otherwise.

Objecting is telling the Court that you don’t like something about the Settlement. You could have objected to the Settlement only if you did not exclude yourself from the Settlement. Excluding yourself from the Settlement is opting out and telling the Court that you don’t want to be part of the Settlement. If you Opt Out of the Settlement, you cannot object to it because it no longer affects you. You could not both Opt Out and object to the Settlement.

The Court held a Final Approval Hearing on March 16, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 4 of the San Jose Federal Courthouse, located at 280 South 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95113.

At this hearing, the Court considered whether the Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. On May 25, 2023, the Court granted Final Approval of the Settlement. 

No. Class Counsel answered questions from the Court. You could have attended at your own expense if you wished. If you sent an objection, you did not have to come to the hearing to talk about it. As long as you mailed your written objection on time, the Court considered it. You also could have paid your own lawyer to attend, but that was not necessary.

You could have asked the Court for permission to speak at the Final Approval Hearing. To do so, you must have included a statement in your written objection (see Question 22) that you intended to appear at the hearing. You needed to include your name, address, and signature as well.

You could not speak at the hearing if you excluded yourself from the Class.

If you are a Settlement Class Member in Group 1 (multiple Topcase Replacements) and you did not exclude yourself from the Settlement, you will be mailed a payment. Please go to the Change Your Address page to verify or update your contact information.

If you are a Settlement Class Member in Groups 2 or 3 (Single Topcase Replacement and Keycap Replacements, respectively), or if you did not receive a Notice, you must have submitted a valid claim to get a payment. If you did nothing, you’ll be a Settlement Class Member and you’ll get no money from this Settlement.

If you are a Settlement Class Member in any group and you did not exclude yourself as explained in Question 19, you gave up your right to start a lawsuit, continue with a lawsuit, or be part of any other lawsuit against Apple related to the subject matter of this lawsuit or for any claims released by the Settlement Agreement.

Yes. The Notice summarizes the proposed Settlement—more details are in the Settlement Agreement and other case documents. You can get a copy of these and other documents on the Important Documents page, by accessing the docket in this case through the Court’s Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov, or by visiting the office of the Clerk of the Court for the United States District Court for the Northern District of California at any of the Court’s locations between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Court holidays:

• Robert F. Peckham Federal Building and United States Courthouse, 280 South 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95113
• Phillip Burton Federal Building & United States Courthouse, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102
• Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building & United States Courthouse, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94612
• United States Courthouse, 3140 Boeing Avenue, McKinleyville, CA 95519

This website has answers to questions about the Settlement, and other information to help you determine whether you are eligible for a payment.

You can also call the Claims Administrator at 1-855-579-1311 or write to them at:

In re MacBook Keyboard Litigation Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91341
Seattle, WA 98111

Class Counsel can be reached using the following contact information: 

• Simon S. Grille. Telephone; (415) 981-4800
• Steve Schwartz. Telephone: (610)642-8500

If you received a Notice by mail, your Unique ID and PIN will be located inside the double postcard at the top. If you received Notice by email, your Unique ID and PIN will be located in the paragraph under, "How do I file a claim?"