MacBook Pro Keyboard Repair Johannesburg | iAssist
MacBook Pro Keyboard RepairJohannesburg & Gauteng
One braai crumb. That is all it takes to kill a butterfly key — and if you owned a 2016–2019 MacBook Pro, you already know the pain. Sticky keys, double letters, a dead space bar, and the maddening reality that eating a rusk at your desk was a R5,000 mistake. Apple’s authorised fix swaps the entire top case — keyboard, battery, trackpad, and chassis as one unit. We replace just the top case with its new keyboard and keep your original battery and trackpad if you want to save the cost. Optional battery swap while we are in there if yours has been through a few Joburg summers. Every butterfly model from 2015 through the 2019 Touch Bar 13” and 15” supported. For scissor-switch models from 2008–2014 and 2020 onwards, we replace individual keycaps or the full keyboard assembly. Free diagnostic on every model, written quote before work begins, and a 6-month warranty on all keyboard repairs.
Fixing MacBooks since 2011 · Free diagnostic · Top case + keyboard swap · Keep original battery + trackpad · Optional battery upgrade · 6-month warranty
MacBook Pro keyboard problems we repair
Butterfly keyboard — keys not registering or ghosting
The 2016–2019 MacBook Pro butterfly keyboard mechanism is one of Apple's most widespread design failures. A single dust particle or debris under a key stops it registering entirely, causes double-presses, or makes keys ghost. Apple's free repair programme has ended. iAssist replaces butterfly keyboard topcases on A1706, A1707, A1708, A1989, and A1990 models.
Key completely stopped working after spill
Liquid under any key — even a small amount — causes corrosion on the key switch contact. Individual key replacement on scissor-mechanism keyboards (2019 onwards) is possible. On butterfly mechanism keyboards a full topcase replacement is required.
Keys physically broken or missing keycaps
Broken scissor mechanism or lost keycap. On 2019-onwards models with scissor switches individual keycap and mechanism replacement is possible. On butterfly models topcase replacement.
Touch Bar not working or frozen
The Touch Bar on Intel MacBook Pros (2016–2019 13/15-inch, 2019–2020 16/13-inch) is a separate display strip with its own controller. A frozen, black, or unresponsive Touch Bar is usually a software lockup or a hardware fault on the Touch Bar controller board. See our dedicated Touch Bar page.
Keyboard backlight not working
Backlight failure on any model is usually a firmware or SMC issue, a damaged keyboard ribbon cable, or a failed backlight circuit on the topcase. SMC reset resolves software causes. Hardware fault requires topcase replacement.
Sticky or slow-responding keys on M-series
M-series MacBook Pros use the scissor mechanism — far more reliable than butterfly. Sticky keys on M-series are usually debris or liquid. Compressed air cleaning first, topcase replacement if the switch is physically damaged.
MacBook Pro keyboard and topcase repair — iAssist prices
Topcase replacement is model and colour specific. Touch ID re-pairing required on all M-series after topcase replacement. Written quote before work begins.
Find your model number on the bottom case or Apple menu → About This Mac → System Report.
| Model | A-number & year | iAssist price |
|---|---|---|
| 13-INCH — SCISSOR KEYBOARD (2019–2022) | ||
| MacBook Pro M2 13-inch topcase | A2338 · 2022 · Touch ID pairing required | Assessment + quote |
| MacBook Pro M1 13-inch topcase | A2338 · 2020 · Touch ID pairing required | Assessment + quote |
| MacBook Pro Intel 13-inch 2020 topcase | A2289 / A2251 · 2020 | Assessment + quote |
| 13-INCH — BUTTERFLY KEYBOARD (2016–2019) | ||
| MacBook Pro Intel 13-inch 2018–2019 topcase | A1989 · 2018–2019 | Assessment + quote |
| MacBook Pro Intel 13-inch 2016–2017 topcase | A1706 / A1708 · 2016–2017 | Assessment + quote |
| 14-INCH (ALL M-SERIES) | ||
| MacBook Pro M5 14-inch topcase | A3434 · 2025 · Touch ID pairing required | Assessment + quote |
| MacBook Pro M4 Pro 14-inch topcase | A3294 · 2024 · Touch ID pairing required | Assessment + quote |
| MacBook Pro M4 14-inch topcase | A3293 · 2024 · Touch ID pairing required | Assessment + quote |
| MacBook Pro M3 Pro 14-inch topcase | A2992 · 2023 · Touch ID pairing required | Assessment + quote |
| MacBook Pro M3 14-inch topcase | A2980 · 2023 · Touch ID pairing required | Assessment + quote |
| MacBook Pro M2 Pro 14-inch topcase | A2779 · 2023 · Touch ID pairing required | Assessment + quote |
| MacBook Pro M1 Pro 14-inch topcase | A2442 · 2021 · Touch ID pairing required | Assessment + quote |
| 15-INCH — BUTTERFLY KEYBOARD (2016–2019) | ||
| MacBook Pro Intel 15-inch 2018–2019 topcase | A1990 · 2018–2019 | Assessment + quote |
| MacBook Pro Intel 15-inch 2016–2017 topcase | A1707 · 2016–2017 | Assessment + quote |
| 16-INCH | ||
| MacBook Pro M5 Pro/Max 16-inch topcase | A-number TBC · 2026 · Touch ID pairing required | Assessment + quote |
| MacBook Pro M4 Max 16-inch topcase | A3295 · 2024 · Touch ID pairing required | Assessment + quote |
| MacBook Pro M3 Max 16-inch topcase | A2991 · 2023 · Touch ID pairing required | Assessment + quote |
| MacBook Pro M2 Max 16-inch topcase | A2780 · 2023 · Touch ID pairing required | Assessment + quote |
| MacBook Pro M1 Max 16-inch topcase | A2485 · 2021 · Touch ID pairing required | Assessment + quote |
| MacBook Pro Intel 16-inch topcase | A2141 · 2019–2020 | Assessment + quote |
| OLDER INTEL — RETINA & NON-RETINA | ||
| MacBook Pro Retina 13-inch keyboard | A1502 / A1425 · 2012–2015 | Assessment + quote |
| MacBook Pro Retina 15-inch keyboard | A1398 · 2012–2015 | Assessment + quote |
| MacBook Pro Non-Retina keyboard | A1278 / A1286 / A1297 · 2008–2012 | Assessment + quote |
| INDIVIDUAL KEY / COMPONENT | ||
| Individual key repair — scissor mechanism | Any scissor-keyboard model · 2019+ | Assessment + quote |
| Keyboard ribbon cable replacement | Any model | Assessment + quote |
| Collection and return — Gauteng | Insured door-to-door via Eliz Courier | R300 |
Identify your MacBook Pro by model number
Find your model number on the bottom case or under Apple menu → About This Mac → System Report.
| Model number | Years | Chip | Screen | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A3293 / A3294 / A3295 | 2024 | Apple M4 / Pro / Max | 14 / 14 / 16-inch | ProMotion 120Hz · MagSafe 3 |
| A2980 / A2991 / A2992 | 2023 | Apple M3 / Pro / Max | 14 / 16 / 14-inch | ProMotion 120Hz · Space Black |
| A2338 / A2779 / A2780 | 2022–2023 | Apple M2 / Pro / Max | 13 / 14 / 16-inch | M2 13-inch has Touch Bar |
| A2338 / A2442 / A2485 | 2020–2021 | Apple M1 / Pro / Max | 13 / 14 / 16-inch | First Apple Silicon MBP |
| A2289 / A2251 / A2141 | 2019–2020 | Intel Core i5/i7/i9 | 13 / 13 / 16-inch | Scissor keyboard · Touch Bar |
| A1706 / A1707 / A1708 | 2016–2017 | Intel Core i5/i7 | 13 / 15 / 13-inch | First Touch Bar · Butterfly keyboard |
| A1989 / A1990 | 2018–2019 | Intel Core i5/i7/i9 | 13 / 15-inch | Butterfly keyboard gen 3/4 |
| A1502 / A1425 / A1398 | 2012–2015 | Intel Core i5/i7 | 13 / 13 / 15-inch | Retina · MagSafe 2 · Staingate |
| A1278 / A1286 / A1297 | 2008–2012 | Intel Core 2 Duo / i5 / i7 | 13 / 15 / 17-inch | Non-Retina · HDD/SSD upgradeable |
Which MacBook Pro do you have?
Jump to your exact model for model-specific pricing, parts, and known faults.
MacBook Pro M5
M5 · M5 Pro · M5 Max
View M5 repairs → 2024MacBook Pro M4
M4 · M4 Pro · M4 Max
View M4 repairs → 2023MacBook Pro M3
M3 · M3 Pro · M3 Max
View M3 repairs → 2022 - 2023MacBook Pro M2
M2 · M2 Pro · M2 Max
View M2 repairs → 2020 - 2021MacBook Pro M1
M1 · M1 Pro · M1 Max
View M1 repairs → Intel · 2019-2020MacBook Pro 2019-2020
13" + 16" Intel Core
View 2019-2020 repairs → Intel · Touch BarMacBook Pro 2016-2019
13" + 15" Touch Bar
View 2016-2019 repairs → Intel · RetinaMacBook Pro 2012-2015
13" + 15" Retina
View 2012-2015 repairs → Intel · Pre-RetinaMacBook Pro pre-2012
Unibody · Aluminium
View pre-2012 repairs →Three ways to get your MacBook Pro to us
Walk in, arrange Gauteng collection, or ship from anywhere in South Africa. Whichever route you choose, your repair starts with a free diagnostic and a written quote.
Drop it off at the workshop
Walk in to our Silvamonte workshop any business day. Free parking, free diagnostic on the spot. MacBook Pros are slim and easy to carry — bring it in any sleeve or backpack.
11 Swemmer Rd, Silvamonte, Johannesburg
Mon-Fri 08:00-17:30 · Sat 08:00-14:00
Door-to-door via Eliz Courier
Our local Gauteng courier partner, Eliz Courier & Messenger Services, handles insured door-to-door collection and return across Joburg, Pretoria, the East Rand, Centurion, the lot. R300 round-trip. WhatsApp us to book — usually within 24 hours.
WhatsApp to book collection →Ship via The Courier Guy
Anywhere in South Africa — Cape Town, Durban, PE, Bloem, Polokwane. We arrange a Courier Guy collection from your door, the MacBook Pro ships to us insured, gets repaired, and returns via the same courier.
WhatsApp to arrange courier →MacBook Pro keyboard repair — questions we get asked
Why is the MacBook Pro butterfly keyboard so unreliable?
Apple's butterfly mechanism uses an extremely thin key travel design that is highly susceptible to dust and debris. A single particle under the key mechanism stops the switch registering. Apple ran a free repair programme which has since ended. The 2019 13-inch and 2019 16-inch switched back to the scissor mechanism.
Does topcase replacement fix all butterfly keyboard problems?
Yes — topcase replacement replaces the entire keyboard, trackpad, battery, and palm rest as a single unit. It resolves all butterfly keyboard mechanical failures permanently.
Will Touch ID work after topcase replacement on M-series?
Touch ID on M-series MacBook Pros is cryptographically paired to the Secure Enclave on the logic board. Topcase replacement requires Apple Configurator re-pairing to restore fingerprint authentication. iAssist advises this before any topcase work.
Can individual keys be replaced on a MacBook Pro?
On 2019-onwards models with scissor mechanisms yes — individual keycaps and mechanisms can be replaced. On 2016–2019 butterfly keyboard models, Apple's design makes individual key replacement impractical — topcase replacement is the correct repair.
My Touch Bar is not working — is this a keyboard repair?
The Touch Bar has its own dedicated page and repair path. It's a separate display strip with its own controller — not part of the keyboard mechanism. See our Touch Bar repair page.
How long does MacBook Pro keyboard repair take?
Topcase replacement is typically same-day or next-day depending on parts availability. WhatsApp 078 742 4769 to confirm.
My 2019 MacBook Pro keys feel sticky after a spill — do I need a new topcase?
Try compressed air first — many post-spill sticky keys resolve with cleaning. If the key switch itself is damaged by liquid corrosion, individual key or topcase replacement is required. Free diagnostic to confirm.
What is the difference between the butterfly and scissor keyboard?
The butterfly mechanism (2016–2019) uses a single butterfly-shaped pivot under each key with 0.5mm travel. The scissor mechanism (2019-onwards) uses a standard scissor switch with 1mm travel and is far more reliable and comfortable.
Is MacBook Pro keyboard repair covered by AppleCare?
Apple's butterfly keyboard repair programme has ended. iAssist performs butterfly keyboard topcase replacements as out-of-warranty repairs.
How much does MacBook Pro keyboard repair cost?
Topcase replacement varies by model and colour. Prices confirmed before booking. Free diagnostic before any quote — WhatsApp 078 742 4769.
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