Apple has extended free repairs of anti-reflective coating issues for all 12-inch MacBook models and 2013 or newer MacBook Pro models.
Apple has authorized coverage within four years from the original purchase date of an affected MacBook or MacBook Pro, according to an internal document distributed to Apple Authorized Service Providers and later obtained by MacRumors.
Eligible 12-inch MacBook or 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models qualify for a free display replacement within the four-year coverage period. Apple says the 2012 MacBook Pro is no longer eligible for free repairs since the notebook was fully discontinued by October 2013, which is over four years ago.
Below is a list of the absolute latest dates that each 12-inch MacBook and MacBook Pro model may remain eligible for coverage:
• 2013 13-inch MacBook Pro: July 2018
• 2013 15-inch MacBook Pro: July 2018
• 2014 13-inch MacBook Pro: March 2019
• 2014 15-inch MacBook Pro: May 2019
• 2015 13-inch MacBook Pro: October 2020
• 2015 15-inch MacBook Pro: Still sold
• 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro: June 2021
• 2016 15-inch MacBook Pro: June 2021
• 2017 13-inch MacBook Pro: Still sold
• 2017 15-inch MacBook Pro: Still sold
• 2015 12-inch MacBook: April 2020
• 2016 12-inch MacBook: June 2021
• 2017 12-inch MacBook: Still sold
Apple previously confirmed to us that the repair program continues to be handled internally rather than being publicly announced.
Affected customers can schedule a Genius Bar appointment at an Apple Store using the Apple Support app. Or, on the Get Support page, click Mac → Mac Notebooks → Hardware Issues → Display Issue and options should be presented to initiate a repair or contact Apple via phone, email, or online chat.
Apple’s support website will ask for your Mac’s serial number, which can be found by clicking on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and clicking on About This Mac in the dropdown menu.
Affected customers can also visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider to determine if their notebook is eligible for coverage. If you have already incurred out-of-warranty costs related to this issue, you may be eligible for a refund, which can be initiated by contacting Apple support directly.
Since the repair program has not been publicly announced, some Apple support representatives may be unaware of its existence. Escalating your request to a senior advisor may help, but your mileage may vary.
Apple first began the repair program in October 2015, and has now extended it twice, after some MacBook and MacBook Pro users experienced issues with the anti-reflective coating wearing off or delaminating on the Retina display.
The damage appears to be caused by a variety of factors, including the pressure of the keyboard and trackpad on the display when closed, and the use of incorrect third-party cleaning solutions with microfiber cloths.
Over 12,000 customers joined a Facebook group dedicated to the issue, and hundreds of others have claimed to be affected across the Apple Support Communities, MacRumors forums, Twitter, Reddit, and other discussion platforms.
The website Staingate.org contains a gallery of MacBook Pro models with seemingly damaged anti-reflective coating, revealing that the blemishes can be relatively minor or extend across the entire display in extreme cases.
Update: MacRumors has received a supplementary internal document that lists all 12-inch MacBook models, and 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro models, as affected products. The document also states that even damaged displays with anti-reflective coating issues may qualify for a free display replacement.
Related Roundup: MacBook ProTag: repair programBuyer’s Guide: MacBook Pro (Neutral)
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