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MacBook Keyboard Replacement Auckland

iRepair is Auckland's MacBook keyboard specialist at 391 Rosebank Road, Avondale. We replace failed butterfly keyboards on 2016–2019 MacBook Pros (one of Apple's most-replaced parts), and Magic Keyboard top cases on M1 through M4 MacBook Air and Pro. Genuine Apple top-case assemblies, 90-day warranty.

Two MacBook Keyboard Eras — Butterfly vs Magic

Apple has shipped two very different keyboard mechanisms on MacBooks over the last decade. The repair process and reliability differ enormously.

  • Butterfly keyboard (2015–2019) — used on the 12" MacBook, 2016–2019 MacBook Pro 13"/15", and 2018–2019 MacBook Air. Notorious for failure from dust and crumbs. Apple ran an extended Keyboard Service Programme until 2022.
  • Magic Keyboard / scissor switch (2019–present) — used on every Apple Silicon MacBook (M1/M2/M3/M4) and the 2019 16" MacBook Pro onward. Far more reliable. Still occasionally needs replacement after liquid spills or heavy use.
Book Assessment

Why MacBook Keyboards Fail

Different causes for different generations:

  • Butterfly keyboard dust ingress — single particles of crumb or dust get under the mechanism, keys stick or stop registering. Apple's "membrane" revision (2018+) helped but didn't fully solve it.
  • Liquid spills — coffee, water, beer. Corrodes the keyboard backlight LED circuit and the contact membrane underneath the keys. Magic Keyboard models are no more resistant than butterfly.
  • Worn keys after heavy use — writers, developers, and journalists who type all day will wear out the most-used keys (space, enter, vowels) in 3–5 years.
  • Keycaps coming loose or popping off — particularly on butterfly models, the keycap retention clips break with repeated removal for cleaning.
  • Backlight failure — keyboard works but the backlight no longer illuminates; usually means the keyboard backlight cable or the controller chip on the logic board.

Need your MacBook repaired?

Free assessment, no obligations. Drop it in or courier it to us.

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MacBook Keyboard Replacement for Every Model

We replace keyboards on every MacBook Apple has shipped in the last decade — from the butterfly keyboards on 2016–2019 MacBook Pros (still being serviced regularly under Apple's now-expired Service Programme) through to the latest M4 Air and Pro Magic Keyboards. Genuine Apple top-case assemblies in stock or sourced within days.

MacBook Air (M3 / M4)

MacBook Air 13" M4

2025 · Current generation

Apple's 2025 thin-and-light flagship. Screen, battery, USB-C ports, and keyboard service available.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

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MacBook Air 15" M4

2025 · Current generation

The larger Air at 15.3 inches. We service the display assembly, battery, and Magic Keyboard.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

Get a quote →

MacBook Air 13" M3

2024 · Recent model

M3 Air with 13.6-inch display. Battery replacement and screen service same-day.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

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MacBook Air 15" M3

2024 · Recent model

First-generation 15-inch Air. Screen and battery in stock.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

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MacBook Air (M1 / M2)

MacBook Air 13" M2

2022 · Common repair

M2 Air with the new flat-edge design and MagSafe. Screen, battery, and keyboard service.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

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MacBook Air 15" M2

2023 · Common repair

Original M2 15-inch Air. We replace the display, battery, and ports.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

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MacBook Air 13" M1

2020 · Common repair

The first Apple Silicon Mac. Battery replacement is the most common visit on these now-5-year-old units.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

Get a quote →

MacBook Pro (M4 series)

MacBook Pro 14" M4 Max

2024 · Current generation

Pro flagship with the M4 Max chip. Screen, battery, keyboard, and logic board service.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

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MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro

2024 · Current generation

M4 Pro 14" — mini-LED ProMotion display. Same-day display and battery service.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

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MacBook Pro 14" M4

2024 · Current generation

14-inch Pro with the base M4 chip. Full repair coverage including the SD card reader.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

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MacBook Pro 16" M4 Max

2024 · Current generation

16-inch flagship with M4 Max. Display, battery, and Touch ID service available.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

Get a quote →

MacBook Pro 16" M4 Pro

2024 · Current generation

16-inch M4 Pro. We replace display assemblies, batteries, and keyboards.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

Get a quote →

MacBook Pro (M1 – M3)

MacBook Pro 14" M3 Max

2023 · Recent model

M3 Max 14-inch flagship. Mini-LED display and battery service.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

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MacBook Pro 14" M3 Pro

2023 · Recent model

M3 Pro 14-inch. Common visits: cracked display, battery replacement after 2+ years.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

Get a quote →

MacBook Pro 14" M3

2023 · Recent model

M3 base 14-inch. Full repair service available.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

Get a quote →

MacBook Pro 16" M3 Max

2023 · Recent model

16-inch M3 Max. Display assembly and battery service same-day.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

Get a quote →

MacBook Pro 16" M3 Pro

2023 · Recent model

16-inch M3 Pro. We service the display, battery, and keyboard.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

Get a quote →

MacBook Pro 14" M2 Pro/Max

2023 · Common repair

M2 generation Pro 14". Battery and screen the most common services at this age.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

Get a quote →

MacBook Pro 16" M2 Pro/Max

2023 · Common repair

M2 generation 16-inch Pro. Full repair coverage.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

Get a quote →

MacBook Pro 13" M2

2022 · Common repair

The last 13-inch Pro with Touch Bar. Screen, battery, and Touch Bar service.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

Get a quote →

MacBook Pro 14" M1 Pro/Max

2021 · Common repair

First generation 14-inch Pro with mini-LED. Battery replacement is now the most common service.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

Get a quote →

MacBook Pro 16" M1 Pro/Max

2021 · Common repair

First M1 16-inch Pro. Screen and battery service in stock.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

Get a quote →

MacBook Pro 13" M1

2020 · Common repair

The first Apple Silicon Pro. Battery replacement common at this age.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

Get a quote →

Intel MacBooks (2018–2020)

MacBook Pro 16" Intel

2019 · Older model

16-inch Intel Pro with the new Magic Keyboard. Battery, display, and keyboard repairs cost-effective.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

Get a quote →

MacBook Pro 13" Intel

2020 · Older model

Intel 13-inch Pro from 2018-2020. Battery service extends life by years.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

Get a quote →

MacBook Air 13" Intel

2020 · Older model

Intel Air from 2018-2020. Screen, battery, and the often-failing butterfly keyboard all repairable.

Keyboard service: Full top-case assembly · Battery + trackpad included · Magic vs butterfly · 90-day warranty

Get a quote →

Common Issues We Fix

MacBook failures cluster around a few predictable issues: liquid damage, battery service, cracked displays, and keyboard problems on the butterfly-era Pros. We've repaired every failure pattern Apple's shipped.

  • Liquid damage — coffee, water, wine, or juice spills
  • Battery swelling (raised trackpad or keyboard)
  • Battery won't charge past 80% or drops quickly
  • Cracked display or distorted image
  • Butterfly keyboard stuck, repeating, or unresponsive keys
  • Trackpad click failing or clicking intermittently
  • MacBook won't turn on or chimes but black screen
  • USB-C / Thunderbolt port physical damage
  • Overheating and fan noise under normal load
  • Data recovery from a MacBook that won't boot

What to Expect When You Bring a Device In

Walk in to 391 Rosebank Road, Avondale during business hours — no appointment needed. We’ll run a free diagnostic, explain the fault in plain language, and quote the repair before any work begins. Most common repairs are finished the same day; anything more involved, we’ll give you a firm pickup time.

Outside Auckland? We run a free nationwide courier service — pack your device, drop it at any NZ Post location with our prepaid label, and we return it the same way once the repair is complete. Ten-plus years of experience and a 90-day warranty on every repair, covering both the parts and the workmanship.

Ready for a quote?

Call us, walk in, or send the device by free courier from anywhere in NZ.

Call 09 820 9147

MacBook Keyboard Replacement — Common Questions

On Apple Silicon and Retina MacBooks, the keyboard is built into the "top case" — an aluminium shell that also holds the battery and trackpad. Replacing it means swapping the whole top case, which typically takes 3 to 5 business days. The new top case ships with a fresh battery, fresh trackpad, and fresh keyboard all together.

Because the keyboard is part of the full top-case assembly, the replacement also gives you a new battery and trackpad. Pricing varies by model — M1 Air top cases are the most affordable, 16" M-series Pros the most expensive. We give a no-obligation quote after a free diagnostic. Every replacement includes a 90-day warranty.

Probably not anymore — Apple's Keyboard Service Programme covered eligible 2015-2019 MacBooks but ended in 2022, four years after the last eligible model shipped. If you're past the programme, we replace the top case ourselves. We see this issue weekly and have stock or fast-source for every affected model.

On butterfly keyboards (2015–2019), individual keycap replacement is sometimes possible — clean under the mechanism, replace the keycap and retention clip. But the underlying mechanism often fails again within months. On Magic Keyboard / scissor switch MacBooks (2019+), individual keys can be replaced one at a time without swapping the top case, and we offer that for liquid-affected single keys.

Power it off immediately. Don't plug it in. Don't put it in rice. Bring it in or send it via free courier as soon as possible — the same advice as iPhone liquid damage. Coffee is particularly bad because the sugar and milk leave corrosive residue. We'll ultrasonic-clean the affected components, replace what needs replacing, and tell you honestly what's recoverable.

Yes. We match the layout — New Zealand customers typically have US-layout keyboards (Apple's default in NZ), but we can source UK, European, or other international layouts if your original was different. Specify at quote time.

Related Services

Need something else repaired? We service every major device category in-house.

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