macbook keyboard wearing badly

Hi - I have this issue as well with my Nov 15 gold Macbook, and I am so, so frustrated in trying to get it resolved. My 'S' key is the worst, but several other keys are also starting to go. I haven't done anything differently with this Macbook, and have been so careful looking after it.

I reported the issue to Apple when it was 7 days out of warranty (typical), and at the genius bar they said it was a cosmetic issue, and not functional, so they wouldn't do anything. The guy there was really unhelpful and unsympathetic to the issue.

So, I took it to John Lewis (where I bought it), and it got sent off for repair under their warranty. I've just heard back that they also won't do anything as they say it is a non-functional issue - purely cosmetic. When I asked how to prevent it from happening - the guy at John Lewis said I should buy a keyboard cover, and when I mentioned that it would soon be impossible to see the letters, he said to put some stickers on the keys. He also said that if I was blind there would be no problem!

I have had many Mac computers, iPhones, iPads etc... over the years. And this is most definitely not the expected quality or standard I would expect from Apple. I could have bought a £300 laptop, and the keys would still be visible.

This is the first time I've been frustrated enough to ask for advice or support on the forums, and I feel this needs to be shared wider in case others are also having the same problem.

Also, I've been told that you have to replace the whole keyboard on the Macbook, yet I've seen information on the web that it is possible to replace certain keys - can anyone clarify?

Not sure where to turn to now.... Anyone had any positive experiences/resolution?

I really appreciate the sharing here. It's nice knowing that I'm not alone. The first reaction to my complaint was "it's cosmetic" or "it's my fault." The certified Apple reseller in Germany where I bought my MacBook 12 has offered to replace the one key now free of charge but claims that Apple Care wouldn't cover it. Good to know that some of you have gotten replacements through Apple Care (and I'm glad to have bought extended coverage now).

Apple really needs to deal with this issue... And retailers and insurance need to take note and stop blaming their customers

Same problem here, with my 12" Macbook bought April 2016. I noticed the keys wearing within about 2 months! The nature of the wear is slightly different however, at least so far, the definition of the letters themselves have not yet been affected. However about half the keys have gone from a flat matt surface to shiny and bowl shaped. I think I am going to have to go to the Apple store and look at having them replaced, since at this rate, they will not last. I look after my Macs and don't change them that often, so I would expect this to last as well as my Macbook Pro has.

i am typing this from a macbook pro with touch bar bought at the end of november 2016 - in other words, this laptop is currently 5 months old and it has the exact same problem:

the a, s & d keys are already showing signs of wear.

wow!

this is a problem quite some of us face, and I think it's a bit of a rip off by a brand like Apple to provide such badly crafted hardware and when being asked to respond only that 'you should have been using a keyboard protector' and 'sorry can't do anything about it' (at least that's the answer I got from Apple support)

So I think it's valid to raise this issue here, no?

And would we like a solution? Yes, a replacement please

I have the same problem. Five of my keys are just white blobs now. I type with a Dvorak layout, without looking at the keys, so in general it's not a big problem. I'm looking for the right black paint, maybe model airplane paint like Testors. It's made for plastic. Then using the right stylus, I can scratch the paint off to let the backlight shine thru. Has anyone tried that? I agree with 'bones,' Apple should fix this for free. It's a design flaw since obviously the keys are meant to be repeatedly touched.

Don't see the need for that last sentence ⬆︎.

BMP 15" Purchased in Jan 2017 and I've visited the local Genius Bar two times now for worn keys as outlined above. First visit…they replaced three keys. Second visit, the entire keyboard. Assume this next visit will be the same keyboard replacement as the keys are wearing in the same pattern. I was told that the area below the Q_A_Z_W_S_X zone generates more heat than the rest of the keyboard and the catalyst for the ink-picking. Plausible as ink looses it's plasticizers when heat is introduced. I stopped cleaning with a damp cloth on this last fix to see if city and hotel (when traveling) water that was accelerating the wear.

Our MBP 17", 15" and 13" Air models, and multiple desktop keyboards all have had zero issues regarding keyboard ink…different keyboard types but it's a good long run of no issues non-the-less. Solution given to me by the Genius Bar was to hurry up and purchase the Apple Care program because I will continue to have the keyboard issue after the 1-year period is up. Glad I have that option but it's a weak response. Insurance shouldn't be the fix.

and? how is your new macbook doing?

here is my 5 month old macbook pro (with the touch bar):

notice the a, s & d?

i am not amused.

Are you looking for a solution, or just whining?

Sounds to me like he's identifying a legitimate issue and would like to know if this problem is pervasive or simply an isolated case. I think it's a serious enough issue to be of concern to all of us.

I just came on here to see if anyone else is experiencing this. I'm showing noticeable wear on the A, S, D and C keys.

And now that I see my photo blown up, I can see a bit of the black missing on the F key, too!

Since no one else has mentioned this problem, I think otherwise. The customer should make an appointment with an Apple Genius, and discuss his options. My guess is that he won't.

Actually, someone else has mentioned the problem--me! As I posted above with photo, it's happening to my MacBook, too.