My Retina Display has stain damage, HELP!!!

Thanks a lot. I got my display replaced today under the Quality Program for the 2nd time! This time the Service Provider had to get the clearances direct from Apple as the display had already been replaced once in Oct '16. But they knew about the issues and got it done. Now to watch as to what happens with the new display! Have become hyper about even putting a fibre optic cloth supplied by Apple with the box to the display! The Technician at the Center suggested a Tempered display protection. Can anyone suggest if this is worth considering as it will be stuck on the display?

My MBP Retina 13" (Late 2013) was not under warranty or Applecare. The replacements were done under Apple's Quality Program for this particular problem commonly being referred to

as "staingate" or marks/stains/discolouration of the glossy black coating on the display which appear suddenly and on their own.

The Quality Program was initially on till 15/16 Oct '16. It apparently has been extended till Oct 16. 2017. Your 2014 Mac should be covered for a free replacement provided it is diagnosed as the above problem.

Hi!

Got exactly the same problem! Very disappointed about what I get to read bout this. The stains won't come of with conventional methods, and have to accept now, that this is a product failure and Apple is just not responding to this. Warranty this and warranty that, but is you now, your product has an obvious failure, you should also stand to your trusty users. In these cases Apple is just not acting in the right manner.

"Make your 3000 $ laptop to a Desktop computer after less that two years, because the product has an obvious failure through materials used by Apple" is in my opinion not a solution here. New displays with "problem solved" through Apple is the right solution here. How does Apple react to these problems? As far as I have read, only with "No comments and silence". Sad in opinion of a iOs-device user. Used to be a fan of the company, but now just truckling with problems with different devices.

Have you taken it to an Apple Store to get it checked?

According to, Shankar9:-

'The Quality Program was initially on till 15/16 Oct '16. It apparently has been extended till Oct 16. 2017. Your 2014 Mac should be covered for a free replacement provided it is diagnosed as the above problem.'

I took mine in because my screen glass got broken and I wasn’t aware of the 'staingate' problem which showed up when the Apple Store Genius Bar had a look at it. I got a free replacement screen under the 'program'

So you have until 16 October to get it sorted. Please take it to your nearest Apple Store.

I took my mid-2014 MBP13 Retina in yesterday for screen replacement. Bought Dec 2014. Apple literally took one look at it and said it was the staining problem and it would be replaced for free within 3-5 days. Literally took 5 minutes total (although wasn't wise to book the day after new products launched, store was so busy so took a while to be seen.)

Shame to hear someone comment that they had to get their screen replaced a second time. 2 and 3/4 years in for me and the problem just started happening, hopefully it won't happen for a while again. Does anyone know if this problem is affecting the new macbook pros with touch ID? Was thinking about purchasing but kinda put off paying for a new one if the problem is going to happen on a more expensive laptop

I have not come across any complaints of this problem (Display coating) on the new Products. It seems to be most prevalent with the MBP Retina 2012-2015

. Multiple replacements are being reported so there is no assurance that the newly replaced display is free from the problem. It is just a temporary satisfaction feeling of having got multiple new displays replaced free of cost (which should not have happened in the first place). For me this is definitely a factor in the consideration process of my choice of next Laptop. I do hope that the new Macs are free from this problem !

Yes, the antiglare coating coming off problem afflicts even the late 2016 MBPs too. I've read reports on our FB group about it. One can only guess that no reports have come out on the 2017 models because they are still new and not enough time has passed for users of them to notice if they have the problem.

I just called apple about my marks on display and I am taking it to apple store to check if qualifies for repair. Thank you for your advise. My son bought new laptop and after three months his keyboard was broken. Took to apple they fix it and was broken again. Now they put a new one for him. I will let you know how I go with my laptop.

I've run into the same problem. Discoloration around the areas where the Trackpad and keypad contact the screen. Going to try your suggestion. It is ridiculous that Apple did not/has not informed the public about this.

Hi!

I will get mine replaced. The program is up to 3 years old MBP. Everyone should call local certified service! Will drop mine off tomorrow. Will take some days to get the display for replacement, because comes directly from Apple.

Thanks a lot for the tip here!!!

Yeah its not as if I need to replace it, it was just thought i’d like a more updated version and also take the final advantage of student discount on Apple. I will wait a while to see if there are any reports of 2017 models with the problem.

Update on my MBP: took it in on Saturday with the marks and a small scratch on the screen, I was worried incase they would refuse to do it because of this. Got the phonecall at 9am store opening time on Tuesday to pick it up! Only took one working day. Got told its an easier repair over others, so if a genius has a spare 30 minutes at the end of the day they are more likely to work on a screen reply than a more complicated repair, even if they are further up the line. Very impressed! Took 2 3/4 years for my MBP to develop the problem, hopefully i’ll have that luck/even better luck with this new screen!

Looks from the pic as a pretty extreme case. Apple should replace the display under the Program that was on till Oct 16. No information as to any extension. But I feel that it is bound to be extended because many are reporting same issues with the replacements also. I got mine replaced twice - once in Oct 2016 and the second in Sep 2017. Really hope that this has been permanently fixed by now at least. But every time I see a spot, I start worrying ! The dirt spots seem to appear like magic, even though I use a case since purchase as also a keyboard protector !

My friend had the same problem i saw his terrible display. That is why I was so careful with my macbook pro. OMG! And today i found small spot in the middle of the screen!!! The program finished 4 days ago! PLEASE! It is not funny! I need Apple to continue this Quality Program, please! I love your products but it is bad very very bad(

Actually, we don’t need Apple to continue the current screen replacement program because it is not a “quality“ program. They are simply replacing your screen with the same type of screen that has a weak antiglare coating that will eventually come off. And yes, even the late 2016 and 2017 models have the same problem according to user reports I’ve read.

Instead, the company needs to incorporate their iOS display technology into a revised replacement screen so they only have to replace our screens once and forever more.

The fact is that iOS devices do not have the same problem of the antiglare coating coming off, probably because they have an anti-fingerprint coating. So my guess is that if the same coating is applied to MacBook Pro displays, probably the problem would be solved.

It is strange but it is true that one cannot understand why the same problem displays are being installed as replacements under the "Quality" Program!

Macs have not yet ventured into the touchscreen area, like many others, but imagine the catastrophic effect if such touchscreens also, (if and when) carry the same disease!

Has anyone come across an official statement from Apple on this problem and why it happens, what a user can do to avoid it ( I know that this is not possible, because no matter how much care one takes, the problem appears like magic!) and how it is proposed to rectify it for good?

It is a most unnerving feeling when you see a spot on the screen and are afraid to use even a fibre optic material to wipe it away or worse, when you see your display in sunlight, know that it needs a good clean up to look black and glossy again but are terrified as to what a little clean water may start off!

You simply have to keep thinking of the problem every time you open the Mac!