Apple Extended its MacBook Pro Anti-Reflective Coating Repair Program

If you purchased a 12-inch MacBook or MacBook Pro with Retina display and have experienced issues with the anti-reflective coating wearing off or delaminating, Apple may repair the notebook free of charge.

MacBook Pro anti reflective wearing off
Apple will replace Retina displays on eligible models purchased as far back as June 2012 until October 16, 2017, or within three years of the original date of purchase, whichever is longer. The program was extended to provide affected customers with a longer window of time to get their notebook serviced.

The program has not been publicly announced, but Apple confirmed to MacRumors that repairs continue to be handled internally through AppleCare. Apple does not plan to announce the program publicly at this time, unlike its iPhone 6s battery replacement program and over a dozen others listed on its website.

We recommend affected customers schedule a Genius Bar appointment at an Apple Store or contact Apple support by phone, online chat, or email. Click on "get help" on this page, and then select Mac > Mac notebooks > Hardware Issues > Display Issue and support options should be presented to you.

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.

MacRumors revealed the repair program's existence in October 2015 following over two years of online complaints from thousands of customers within our discussion forums, on the Apple Support Communities, and elsewhere.

A website called Staingate contains a gallery of MacBook Pro models with seemingly damaged anti-reflective coating, revealing that the blemishes can extend across the entire screen in extreme cases. Meanwhile, a Facebook group related to the issue has nearly 9,000 members and continues to see regular activity.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

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Top Rated Comments

gugy Avatar
113 months ago
Go back to matte screens. Man, the glass reflection is pretty annoying. I have two ACD's on my bright room and they are gorgeous. I was working on a TB display on a bright rooms and I have to move the monitor all the time to avoid reflections. The MBP is the same. While I get the look of the glass is nicer, the matte screen is wayyyyy more functional.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Amazing Iceman Avatar
113 months ago
Apple's QA Department did a terrible job here.
Even if it's a free replacement, it already caused trouble and aggravation to the enduser.
Not a good experience.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Schranke Avatar
113 months ago
Ohh boy! I remember when people said we were cleaning our screen wrong:eek:
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nunyabinez Avatar
113 months ago
Never had that happen, I don't buy apl anymore: correlation?
Speaking of high end displays I her 5K IMac displays have severe image burn for minutes after too.

Is this why they punted to LG?
Not being rude, but then why do you come here? Genuinely curious.

I am always fascinated when people denounce something (like a religion), and then can't seem to actually "leave" it. Or they become antagonistic.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
stevie grant Avatar
113 months ago
Very nice of them.
Yes. How nice of them to fix a problem they created without additionally charging the customers who have been inconvenienced by it.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
113 months ago
What an unfortunate choice of name — Staingate.

What is the source of the stain, eh laptop owners? Hmmm? Hmmm???

It's not a stain, but loss of the anti-reflective coating.
I dunno, "Anti-reflective Coating-Gate" doesn't quite roll off the tongue. :D
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)