Apple is extending eligibility for free repairs to more older MacBook models that face known display issues.
First, Apple has expanded the 13-inch MacBook Pros Rear lighting service schedule with a year. The program offers free repairs for certain MacBook Pro 2016, 2017 and 2018 with backlight failures. The program began in May 2019, and Apple extended the free window of eligibility for repairs five years after the first retail sale, or three years from the start of the repair program – any of which is longer. This means that customers now have at least May 2022 to replace the backlight of the older MacBook Pro.
The other extension refers to the anti-reflective coating repair function for 12-inch MacBooks and MacBook Pros with Retina displays (12-inch variants launched in 2016 and 2017). This problem has been around for almost nine years, but Apple began offering free repairs to affected customers in 2015, then expanded its coverage in 2017. Apple plans to continue to provide free repairs to U.S. customers according to a internal memo obtained and verified by MacRumors, but will not publicly announce the extension.
If the backlight of your older 13-inch MacBook Pro is malfunctioning, or if the anti-reflective cover of your 12-inch MacBook or MacBook Pro is damaged, you can submit a request through the Apple support site to begin the repair process. From there, you can take your defective MacBook to your local Apple store or authorized service provider, or mail it to Apple.
Keep in mind that all 12-inch MacBooks and MacBook Pros must be mailed to the Apple Support Center, even if you take them personally to a store, so repairs for these models will take longer. MacRumors estimates that it may take up to a week to recover your MacBook after you ship it.
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You can also claim a refund for the cost of repairs if you have already paid to fix any of these problems. To qualify, your MacBook must be eligible for the applicable repair program and you will need a repair receipt.