Apple MacBook Butterfly Keyboard Settlement, $50 Million Payout Status, Who Qualified, Covered Models and Why Claims Are Closed

Apple’s $50 million MacBook butterfly keyboard settlement is closed to new claims. The claim deadline was March 6, 2023, and the court granted final approval on May 25, 2023. The official administrator reports that the initial distribution is complete and that supplemental payments went out around February 23, 2026, to members who had negotiated their initial payments. The deadline to request a reissue of a residual payment has passed. No new claim period is open as of October 19, 2026.

Quick Facts: In re MacBook Keyboard Litigation Settlement

Detail	Verified information
Official settlement website	keyboardsettlement.com (https://www.keyboardsettlement.com/)
Claim form	Closed. No new claims accepted
Original claim deadline	March 6, 2023 (passed)
Opt-out and objection deadline	February 10, 2023 (passed)
Settlement amount	$50,000,000 (non-reversionary fund)
Defendant	Apple Inc.
Case name and number	In re MacBook Keyboard Litigation, No. 5:18-cv-02813-EJD
Court / judge	U.S. District Court, Northern District of California; Judge Edward J. Davila
Final approval	May 25, 2023
Products covered	Specified MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models sold in the U.S. between 2015 and 2019
Original maximum payments	Up to $395 (Group 1), $125 (Group 2), $50 (Group 3)
Latest payment update	Supplemental payments sent around February 23, 2026, to members who negotiated initial payments
Residual-payment reissue deadline	Passed
Settlement administrator	JND Legal Administration
Admission of liability	None. Apple denied wrongdoing

What Was the Apple Butterfly Keyboard Lawsuit About?

Apple introduced the butterfly keyboard mechanism with the 12-inch MacBook in 2015 and later used versions of it in MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. The lawsuit alleged the design was vulnerable to dust and small particles, causing three main problems:

• Characters repeating when a key was pressed once.
• Keystrokes failing to register.
• Keys feeling sticky or responding inconsistently.

Plaintiffs alleged Apple knew or should have known of the problems and did not adequately disclose them before sale. Apple denied the allegations, denied that the laptops were defective and denied wrongdoing. The court approved a negotiated settlement; it did not issue a trial verdict finding Apple liable.

Which MacBook Models Were Covered?

Only the models listed in the settlement documents qualified, and the laptop had to have been purchased in the United States (excluding purchases for resale).

Product family	Covered models
12-inch MacBook	Retina, Early 2015; Retina, Early 2016; Retina, 2017
MacBook Air	Retina 13-inch, 2018; Retina 13-inch, 2019
MacBook Pro, 13-inch, two Thunderbolt 3 ports	2016, 2017 and 2019 models
MacBook Pro, 13-inch, four Thunderbolt 3 ports	2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 models
MacBook Pro, 15-inch	2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 models

Owning a covered model was not enough on its own. Payment depended on repair history and, for some groups, a timely claim. To check a laptop’s model, open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac.

How Much Could Eligible Owners Receive?

The $50 million was not split equally among all MacBook owners. It covered payments to class members plus fees, expenses, service awards and administration costs.

Group 1: Two or more topcase replacements

Members who obtained at least two topcase (full keyboard module) replacements from Apple or an authorized provider within four years of purchase. The administrator estimated about $300, with a maximum of $395. Payments were processed for eligible members identified through Apple’s records.

Group 2: One unsuccessful topcase replacement

Members who obtained one topcase replacement within four years of purchase and declared that it did not fix the problem. Maximum $125. A claim form was required by March 6, 2023.

Group 3: Unsuccessful keycap replacements

Members who obtained one or more keycap replacements within four years of purchase and declared that it did not fix the problem. Maximum $50. A claim form was required by March 6, 2023.

These were the original limits. They are not a new offer to anyone who never filed a required claim.

How the $50 Million Was Divided

• Attorneys’ fees approved: $15,000,000
• Litigation expenses approved: $1,559,090.75
• Notice and administration costs capped at: $1,400,000
• Service awards to named plaintiffs also approved

After those deductions, the amount available for class members was less than roughly $32 million, allocated by repair group under the plan of allocation.

Can You Still File a Claim?

No. The deadline for Group 2 and Group 3 claims was March 6, 2023. No late claims are being accepted.

• Never filed a required claim: The settlement is closed to you.
• Filed and received an initial payment: You may have been included in the supplemental payment if you successfully negotiated (cashed or deposited) the initial payment.
• Needed a reissue of a residual payment: The official site says the deadline to request one has passed.
• Unsure about a past payment: Check the official site or contact JND Legal Administration (855-579-1311) about your existing payment record. This is not a way to reopen the claims period.

What to do now

1. Review any old notice from JND Legal Administration to identify your group and payment.
2. Check whether any payment was deposited or negotiated.
3. Use only the official contact details on the settlement website.
4. Do not pay anyone who offers to “reopen” the settlement or release funds for a fee. The official site announces no new claims period. If you encounter a scam, you can report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
5. Settlement payments can have tax consequences. Consider asking a tax professional.

Laws and Legal Rules Behind the Settlement

The lawsuit combined consumer-protection, warranty and related claims under several state laws, including:

• California Consumers Legal Remedies Act (CLRA), Cal. Civ. Code § 1750 et seq.
• California Unfair Competition Law (UCL), Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200 et seq.
• Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, Cal. Civ. Code § 1790 et seq.
• Consumer-protection statutes in Washington (RCW 19.86), Florida (Fla. Stat. § 501.201 et seq.), Illinois (815 ILCS 505), New Jersey (N.J.S.A. 56:8-1 et seq.), New York (N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law §§ 349-350) and Michigan (MCL 445.901 et seq.).

How class settlements are approved

• Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(e). A class settlement requires court approval after notice to the class and a determination that it is fair, reasonable and adequate. Class members could opt out or object, which is why the February 10, 2023 deadline mattered.
• Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(h). Governs awards of attorneys’ fees and costs, which the court approved here.
• Class Action Fairness Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1715. Requires notice of a proposed class settlement to appropriate federal and state officials.
• Non-reversionary fund. Money in the fund is not returned to Apple. Unclaimed or uncashed money is handled under court-approved distribution rules, which is why a further distribution of remaining funds was approved in January 2026.

Effect on people who did not opt out

Class members who did not timely opt out generally released the covered claims against Apple about these keyboard issues and cannot bring a separate lawsuit over them.

Did Apple Admit the Keyboards Were Defective?

No. Apple denied the allegations and the settlement expressly states there was no admission of liability. A settlement is a negotiated resolution, not a finding that a defendant broke the law.

Does It Cover Every MacBook With Keyboard Problems?

No. The settlement was limited to listed models and specific repair circumstances. It is not a blanket fund for newer MacBooks or other keyboard complaints.

How Is It Different From Other Apple Lawsuits?

Other Apple cases involve different products, claims, deadlines and eligibility rules. Eligibility in one settlement does not create eligibility in another.

Key Dates

Date	Event
May 2015	Apple introduces the 12-inch MacBook with the butterfly keyboard
May-June 2018	Lawsuits over alleged keyboard defects are filed
July 15, 2022	Settlement agreement dated
December 2, 2022	Preliminary approval and notice procedures (confirm exact date on the official key-dates page)
February 10, 2023	Opt-out and objection deadline
March 6, 2023	Claim deadline for Groups 2 and 3
March 16, 2023	Final approval hearing
May 25, 2023	Final approval granted
January 20, 2026	Court approves distribution of remaining funds
Around February 23, 2026	Supplemental payments sent to members who negotiated initial payments
October 19, 2026	Research date; reissue deadline reported passed; no new claims

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple MacBook keyboard settlement still open?

No. The claim deadline was March 6, 2023, and the reissue deadline has passed.

How much did Apple pay?

$50,000,000, including fees, expenses, service awards, administration costs and class payments. It was not split equally.

How much could an eligible owner receive?

Up to $395 (Group 1), $125 (Group 2) or $50 (Group 3), depending on repair history and allocation.

I bought a covered MacBook in 2017 but never filed. Can I claim now?

No. Buying a covered model was not enough on its own, and no new claim period exists.

Can I still get a supplemental payment?

Supplemental payments went to members who successfully negotiated their initial payments. If you have a question about an existing payment, contact the administrator. The reissue deadline has passed.

Did Apple admit the keyboards were defective?

No. Apple denied wrongdoing.

Does it apply to newer MacBooks?

No. Only the listed 2015-2019 models were covered.

Which models were covered?

Specified 12-inch MacBook, 13-inch Retina MacBook Air (2018 and 2019), and 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models, per the table above.

Can I sue Apple separately over the same keyboard issue?

If you did not opt out, you generally released these claims. Talk to a lawyer about your particular situation.

Where is the official website?

keyboardsettlement.com. It lists the terms, model list, court documents and administrator contacts.

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Sources and Court Records

1. Official settlement website, In re MacBook Keyboard Litigation Settlement (current update, deadlines, model list, payment groups, administrator contacts): https://www.keyboardsettlement.com/
2. Settlement Agreement and Release dated July 15, 2022: https://www.keyboardsettlement.com/admin/api/connectedapps.cms.extensions/asset?id=7925a2a0-838e-4ed6-b9dc-a4315d344892&inline=true&languageId=1033
3. N.D. Cal. final approval order, May 25, 2023, No. 5:18-cv-02813-EJD: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-cand-5_18-cv-02813/pdf/USCOURTS-cand-5_18-cv-02813-13.pdf
4. Official key dates: https://www.keyboardsettlement.com/dates
5. Official FAQ: https://www.keyboardsettlement.com/faq
6. Laws and rules referenced: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1750 et seq. and 1790 et seq.; Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200 et seq.; RCW 19.86; Fla. Stat. § 501.201 et seq.; 815 ILCS 505; N.J.S.A. 56:8-1 et seq.; N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law §§ 349-350; MCL 445.901 et seq.; Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(e) and 23(h); 28 U.S.C. § 1715.

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, Legal Content Researcher.

AllAboutLawyer.com provides general legal information, not legal advice. It is not a law firm and does not represent any party in this case.