Apple is sending out checks worth $395 from $50 million settlement – but you need a specific keyboard to qualify

APPLE agreed to shell out $50 million after settling a class action lawsuit over the company's faulty MacBook keyboards.

Consumers who purchased a MacBook with a butterfly keyboard between 2015 and 2019 may be eligible to receive up to $395 as part of the settlement agreement.

In May 2023, a California federal court approved the class action settlement.

Apple agreed to pay $50 million to consumers who purchased MacBooks with defective keyboards.

Still, despite the hefty settlement, Apple denies all of the allegations made in the lawsuit, including that some of the laptops it sold are or were defective.

Courts issued a payment order earlier this summer, and eligible users were told they could expect to see a small portion of the settlement by the end of August.

Some users have already reported that they've received a check in the mail.

"Personally, I received two $395 checks in the mail today from the keyboard settlement, and I suspect we’ll see other people start to receive payouts as mail gets delivered across the country today," 9 to 5 reporter Michael Burkhardt shared on August 3.

"Right now, there are no signs of payouts for people who requested to get their settlement digitally, although I’d imagine we’ll see that happen sometime this week," he added.

The settlement cited several issues affecting Apple MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro laptops purchased between 2015 and 2019.

The settlement only applies to those laptops purchased with a butterfly keyboard mechanism.

Many users encountered issues with their keyboards, including sticky or unresponsive keys, characters repeating unexpectedly, or certain letters or characters not appearing at all.

Most of the issues were a result of the keyboard's design, which featured a hinge in the middle of each key.

The hinge formed a V shape, which gave the keyboard its butterfly moniker.

The design also allowed dust, crumbs, dirt, and other particles to accumulate underneath individual keys, causing them to stick.

In 2019, Apple quietly reverted to an older design for its newer laptop models, using scissor-switch keyboards.

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These switches form an X shape, making it harder for dirt and debris to remain trapped underneath the key.

The scissor-switch models provide a more stable and responsive experience for users.

They are also considered more durable and reliable than their butterfly counterparts.

Based on the terms of the settlement agreement, not all consumers who purchased an Apple laptop are eligible, even if they experienced a defective keyboard.

The settlement applies to consumers who lived in the US between 2015 to 2019, specifically in one of the following states:

• California

Consumers are also eligible to receive a settlement only if they had their MacBook laptop repaired.

Unfortunately, consumers who otherwise ignored the problem, dealt with the sticky keys, or simply purchased another laptop are not eligible for a payout.

Consumers who did seek out a solution and attempt to repair their defective keyboards are eligible for a payout.

The amount of the estimated payment still depends on the number and types of repairs they received.

Group 1 Settlement Class Members:

Users who obtained at least two Top Case replacements from Apple or an authorized service provider within four years of purchase.

A Top Case consists of a battery, a keyboard, and a few smaller keyboard components.

Group 2 Settlement Class Members:

Users who obtained a single Top Case replacement from Apple or an authorized service provider within four years of purchase, and the repair did not resolve the keyboard issues.

Group 3 Settlement Class Members:

Users who obtained one or more keycap replacements from Apple or an authorized service provider within four years of purchase, and the repair did not resolve the keyboard issues.

Keycaps are small covers that fit over the keyswitches of a computer or laptop's keyboard.

These are labeled with the key's function or alphanumeric character.

According to the details of the settlement, eligible users in each group will receive the following:

• Group 1: Up to $395 for two or more Top Case replacements
• Group 2: Up to $125 for one Top Case replacement
• Group 3: Up to $50 for keycap replacements

Eligible users should receive a check in the mail or a digital payment, e.g. a deposit in their bank accounts, before the end of the month.