My Retina Display has stain damage, HELP!!!

In case you don't already know, Apple is replacing screens - the problem is a defective screen, not acid on your hands or oil - it is a defect. They are replacing screens within 3 years of purchase. Use code SN2898 when contacting Apple for the free replacement.

Take it to the Apple store and they should replace it. They replaced mine which had worn out around edges and patches. I had AppleCare+ but they said even without AppleCare+ it would be covered by them. The genius was aware of this being an issue known by Apple.

I recommend getting a screen protector. A good one will not be visible and will save your screen. I have oily skin and though I have never damaged a screen, I get tired of cleaning it all the time. The matte screen protector makes the smearing less visible, and your screen cannot suffer this kind of damage.

I've read through this thread and people are saying "just tell Apple about SN2898," but that program ended 10/16/2016!

http://www.techvirals.com/2015/10/22/macbooks-anti-reflective-coating-on-retina- display-the-problem-the-fix-the-blame-on…

Here's a video I made a couple days ago showing my afflicted rMBP 15" (2015 model purchased in July 2016, with AppleCare):

2015 Retina MacBook Pro 15" Anti-Glare Coating Woe (Staingate) - YouTube

Since I am in Japan and not the US, Apple Stores here may plead ignorance or refuse the repair unless I can show them that Apple still has some replacement program in place. I cannot cite SN2898 in light of the fact that clearly ended last year in October. If that screen replacement program has been extended by Apple, where is the documented proof that I can cite?

June 2017, I just had a broken LCD under the glass screen and in preparation to take it to the Apple Store I cleaned all the case and the screen. This resulted in smearing of the screen and when the Technician saw it he said a free replacement would be done due to 'MBP Retina issues'

Issue: Display has a coating issue.

Steps to Reproduce: Visually verified during the appointment.

Cosmetic Condition: There is a point of impact to the top left of the display but the display is covered under a quality program so in this situation we are able to cover the cost of the display for the customer.

Proposed Resolution: Replace display under quality program.

Don't know if you are aware but Apple should replace 'smeary' screens up to 3 years from the purchase date. My MBP was bought in October 2015 and is getting fixed now, I just have to wait about a week. Some details here, https://www.macrumors.com/2015/10/17/apple-mbp-ar-coating-quality-program-staing ate/


and here, http://www.staingate.org and a Facebook Group here, https://www.facebook.com/groups/607572909386595/

Hope you all get a good response from Apple.

Have just got my MBP Retina (15" Mid 2014) back from my local Apple Store in Belfast, left it in a week ago to get the Screen replaced due to stain damage, they said it was covered under my AppleCare which i had purchased too and got a new MagSafe 2 due to braiding at the magnetic DC connector.

Would have had to paid this other wise!

Happy the AppleCare looked after everything! :-)

The GOOD news is the screen swap program is in place for 3 years after you buy your Mac or until October 16, 2017, whichever is longer.

The BAD news is that Apple does not guarantee that the replacement will not have the same problem. In fact, many people have reported two or three replacements and still have the same problem!

JDW1 wrote:

The GOOD news is the screen swap program is in place for 3 years after you buy your Mac or until October 16, 2017, whichever is longer.

The BAD news is that Apple does not guarantee that the replacement will not have the same problem. In fact, many people have reported two or three replacements and still have the same problem!

I just got a refurbished 2015 MBP and am thinking about returning it because of this issue. 3 years is not long enough for a $1000+ laptop to last.

Indeed.

If Apple hadn't removed pro features from the late 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pros (e.g., SD card slot, at least 1 legacy USBA port, keyboard with tactile feedback, MagSafe, etc.), the most reasonable solution would be for Apple to just swap out the older machines for 2017 machines that apparently don't have the screen antiglare coating problem. But some of us actually bought a 2015 MacBook Pro even after the 2016 MacBook Pro was out, simply because we didn't wish to sacrifice those pro features!

Hello MrL22,

I have a 2015 mbp 13" retina display doing the same thing though I have only used a soft cloth and display cleaner since I purchased my machine two years ago. I'm with you on the ocd kicking into high gear as I am diligent with my 'beloved mbp'.

Before I go head long into 'cleaning the entire screen' would you be able to post an updated picture?

Also, if possible would you share how long it took you to get the entire surface to be consistent?

Thank you so much.

I have the same repeat problem with my MBP Retina Late 2013! I got the display replaced under the Quality Program in Oct 2016 and now the same problem has suddenly surfaced again in the last month. Did you find a solution? I hear that the Program is extended till Oct 16, 2017, but will they do a second replacement? Thanks for your help

Does this mean that the replacement program which has been extended till Oct 16, 2017 will cover a second replacement? I got the display on my Late '13 MBP Retina replaced in Oct '16 and the same problem has happened again.

The official word is this:

Until October 16, 2017 or until three years after purchase, whichever is longer.

Apple will replace your screen an almost unlimited number of times during that approved period. However, Apple is unfortunately replacing the screens with the same kind of screen that has a weak antiglare coating that will definitely come off. This really is unacceptable in light of the fact that iOS devices do not have the same problem. My personal theory is that iOS devices don't have a problem because they have an anti-fingerprint coating on them, whereas MacBook Pro displays do not. So if my theory is correct, all Apple would need to do to solve the problem once and forever more would be to just offer replacement screens that have an anti-fingerprint coating on them!

So read through this thread and follow the advice given. It really is that simple. I only wish it were so simple for Apple to actually resolve the problem by offering screen replacements that will never exhibit the same problem again. If they'd only apply a little iOS display tech on the MBP screens, the problem would be solved.

How can there be? Anything that affixes to the screen would use some kind of adhesive, right? Now consider that the weak antiglare coating comes off even if you hardly every wipe it down and even if you gently wipe it with a soft cloth. So do you honestly think that removing something affixed to the screen with an adhesive would NOT cause the coating to come off?

I've read buyer comments on Amazon regarding screen protectors that took of some of the antiglare coating. So I am not merely guessing here.

The only thing you can and should do is write to Apple about your experience, such that Apple will finally use iOS display tech in a replacement screen that would ensure this kind of crazy problem never happening ever again. (The problem does not happen on iOS devices -- not even on the 12.9" iPad Pro.)