StarLabs Glossary / MacBook Repair Terms
Butterfly Keyboard
The ultra-thin MacBook keyboard design from 2015 to 2019, known for sticky, repeating or dead keys.
The butterfly keyboard is a low-profile key mechanism Apple introduced on the 12-inch MacBook in 2015 and later used on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models until it was replaced by the scissor-mechanism Magic Keyboard in 2019 and 2020. Its very short key travel made it sensitive to dust and crumbs, which could cause keys to stick, repeat or stop working.
How it works
Most laptop keys sit on a scissor mechanism: two crossed plastic arms that guide the key up and down. When Apple launched the 12-inch MacBook in 2015, it described the new butterfly mechanism as 40 percent thinner than a standard scissor design. Each key was supported by a single hinged piece shaped a little like butterfly wings.
The thin design left very little space under each key. A small piece of dust or grit could stop a key from pressing properly or springing back. Common symptoms were:
- Keys that feel stiff, sticky or inconsistent
- Letters appearing twice (“hhello”)
- Letters not appearing at all
Apple moved to a redesigned scissor mechanism, the Magic Keyboard, starting with the 16-inch MacBook Pro in late 2019. It added it to the MacBook Air in March 2020, and in May 2020 said its entire notebook line now used the Magic Keyboard.
Apple’s Keyboard Service Program
Apple ran a Keyboard Service Program for MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro that covered eligible butterfly keyboard models. As of October 2026, Apple’s support page for this programme states that it has ended, and it is not on Apple’s list of active service programmes. Butterfly keyboard faults now need a paid repair.
Repair options
| Option | When it fits |
|---|---|
| Clean the affected key | One or two keys, early stage. May solve it, may only delay it. |
| Replace an individual keycap or switch | A single broken key. Butterfly parts are fragile, so this needs care. |
| Replace the keyboard | Several faulty keys. On these models the keyboard is fixed into the top case, so it is a bigger job. |
What it means for your business
Any butterfly keyboard MacBook still in your company is now at least five years old, with no free Apple programme to fall back on. A keyboard repair is worth it if the rest of the machine is healthy and meets your needs. If the battery is also worn and the Mac is slow, it is usually better to budget for a replacement. Ask staff to eat away from their laptops and keep a USB keyboard on hand as a stop-gap.
Common questions
Does my MacBook have a butterfly keyboard?
If it is a 12-inch MacBook, or a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro from about 2016 to 2019, it very likely does. Check the model in Apple menu > About This Mac. MacBooks with Apple Silicon all use the Magic Keyboard.
Is the Apple Keyboard Service Program still running?
No. Apple’s page for the programme now says it has ended. Check Apple’s service programmes page if you want to confirm the current position.
Can compressed air fix a sticky butterfly key?
Sometimes. Holding the MacBook at an angle and using short bursts of air can clear debris. If the key is physically damaged or several keys fail, the keyboard needs repair.
Keys sticking or typing twice?
See MacBook keyboard replacement or bring it in for a check.
Sources: Apple Support: Keyboard Service Program (ended), Apple Service Programs, Apple Newsroom, March 2015, Apple Newsroom, May 2020
Reviewed by the StarLabs technical team · Last checked 18 October 2026
