New MacBook Air M4 – Can't get warranty repair outside country of purchase

Hi everyone,

I recently bought a new MacBook Air with the M4 chip while traveling abroad. Just a few days after purchase, the keyboard and trackpad suddenly stopped working.


I brought it to an authorized service center in my current location, and they diagnosed the issue — the parts (keyboard and trackpad) need to be replaced. However, they told me they can’t proceed with the warranty repair because this model hasn't been released in their market yet.


Unfortunately, returning to the country of purchase isn’t an option for me right now, and I’m left with a non-functioning laptop that’s almost brand new.


Has anyone experienced a similar situation with international Apple purchases?

Did Apple offer you a solution? I'd appreciate any advice or shared experiences.


Thank you!

MacBook Air 13″, 15.4

Posted on May 3, 2025 6:04 PM

Reply
4 replies

May 4, 2025 8:44 AM in response to helga_2

You will either have to take it back to the country where you purchased it or at the very least, take it to a country where it is available for sale now.


Keep in mind that keyboards are region/language specific. You may not be able to get it repaired in a timely manner in a country that uses a different keyboard layout.


This is one of the pitfalls of purchasing outside of the country where you live or will use the device most frequently.

May 3, 2025 7:34 PM in response to helga_2

The Keyboards tend to be unique to various regions. The Keyboard is part of the Top Case Assembly which includes the Keyboard, Palmrest, and many times the Battery. Most other parts should be available in all regions where the product has been released.


If a product has not been released in a particular region, then there is nothing that can be done. Even if this product was released in your current region, there is a good chance the Keyboard would not be native to that region.


You should review the Apple warranty agreement for the region where you purchased the device:

Find information about your warranty or AppleCare plan - Apple Support



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New MacBook Air M4 – Can't get warranty repair outside country of purchase

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