I decided to switch around my new Apple Keyboard to use the Dvorak layout. I didn’t find any resources when I searched, so here are photos and directions. It worked for me but I can’t guarantee your success. Research the cost and availability of replacement parts before attempting.
All of the keys that must be moved to convert the new aluminum keyboard to the Dvorak layout have their scissors arranged this way. The two clips along the top of the keycap hold onto the bars near the top of the scissors. These must be pulled free. Then the lower tabs are released by moving the key toward the upper edge of the keyboard; turning the keyboard face down helps.
I found these easier to remove than the keycaps on the MacBook Pro—I didn’t break any of the scissors this time! Also, the scissors appear to be harder to replace as a result of their stronger design. If you break one, leave a note to help others avoid the same outcome.
Keycap Removal
- Slide a thin, non-marring tool such as a fingernail under the top edge of the keycap.
- Depress the bottom edge of the keycap.
- Rotate the keycap up with increasing pressure until the two top clips are released from the scissor.
- Invert the keyboard and jiggle the key to release the lower hinges.
Keycap Replacement
- Drop the keycap into place.
- Jiggle the key to seat the lower pivots.
- Press down with increasing pressure until the top clips click into place.
Grazie.
Mi hai salvato.
Damn Coke!
Tnx again
This worked. My 13 year old daughter spilled chocolate ice cream on our iMac watching videos. I did the I, J, U, M, N keys perfectly. I used a paper clip bent out to pry up the top of the key and then used my finger to press the base. I didn’t break one. Used rubbing alcohol and swabs and blew out the excess. Everything works perfect and I used the keyboard to type this. Total time for 5 keys, 15 minutes.
Well, 3rd day on dvorak. I started by converting a Dell Quiet Key, and had to deal with fixing the sideways f and j problem. Messy but worked. Then I found this and converted my apple keyboard. No broken keys or sideways problems. Thank you VERY much!
Great help. I spilled Sprite on my MB Air and the FN, Control, Shift, Caps Lock and Tab Keys were sticking like there was no tomorrow. Using the info I was able to remove the keys without damaging them, thoroughly clean them on the underside and clean the latch bar with a q-tip. Great help. Had I not seen this I’m sure i would have removed the key incorrectly and broke something. NO MORE STICKING KEYS!!!
Great info. I’m sure my kids and wife have spilled all kinds of stuff on this keyboard with the D and Spacebar really sticking. Fixed S, D, F, left Command, X, C, V and Spacebar with a bit of alcohol and cotton swabs. For the spacebar, don’t pull it off all the way. I pulled the top left and right corners simultaneously and lifted it up keeping the bottom side down. There are small wires, one on each side, that can get bent as a previous post mentioned. Think of it as opening the hood on your car with the spacebar on a hinge.
Thanks for the great info! I will pass this along to my other Mac friends!
Extremely helpful. I thought my “S” key felt far stiffer than any other keys, so I popped it off to see if there was a reason. Sadly there wasn’t, but for some reason, I think it feels better now. I’ve also been up for god knows how long, so my fingers could just be quite tired and not translating properly.
Thanks for the info though!
Spilled a very small amount of water on mine in he lower right corner and pulled the keys off to clean. Everything went back together perfect except most of the keyboard does not work. hoping a day or so of drying will fix it…
This has helped me alot to remove the keys. But i got a few drops of water on my spacebar and took it off to try to dry it. All my other keys work but my spacebar doesnt register at all on my computer. Do you think its fried? and suggestions or help?
Awesome advice!!!!!!! I spilled orange juice and champagne on my keyboard and thought I was going to have to buy a new one. I followed this advice removing 29 keys and cleaning them. The keyboard works like a charm without any problems.
Thanks again,
Tony
Thanks! This was great…. I used a nail file to get under mine, and it came off perfectly… my return key was half stuck!
This is great information- thank you. I spilled some water on my keyboard, and had to take a keypad or two off to dry. Now everything’s working, but one of the keys “clicks” when I press it. It seems to be all the way on, and I’ve replaced it a couple of more times, but can’t get rid of the sound. If anyone has an idea on how to silence this, I’s appreciate hearing from them.
Thank you very much !!!! I was going to an app store to replace the keyboard, but you saved my time.
Perfect. Works like a charm.
This guide was great. I have the 2009 Alum Bluetooth keyboard, and i’ve noticed a few keys sticking. I paid $70 for this keyboard a month ago so I’d like to not have to replace it; thanks to this guide, I pulled up a few keys in class and found some root beer stuck underneath. Now I can go home and clean it! Thanks!
Thanks! I was able to remove, clean, and replace a sticky ESC key by following your instructions. Now editing in EMACS is a pleasure again!
Thank you so much for this. My brand new aluminum keyboard had a stiff 3 key. I took it off with this method and found absolutely nothing under or around the scissors. But when I put the key back it feels exactly like all the other number keys.
Thanks! The cuplrit was Coke in my case. A modification that might be helpful: while on step 3, if you push one of the “scissor” arms inward from the side, the key pops out with less pressure required. I gently pried “P” up with an XActo from the top, got my fingertip underneath, pushed the bottom of the key down with my thumb, then used the back edge of the blade to push the right scissor arm a little–pop!
Where can you buy keys for the standard Apple keyboard that comes with MacPros?
my F and J keys are almost smooth now, so i can’t feel where the raised part is:(
Thanks!
Thanks for detailing how to remove these keys, it was very helpful. I did/do still have a problem with the number “0″ key however. Unlike the smaller keys, the number “0″ has 2 small wires that have to be aligned before the key is snapped into place. I don’t have any problem inserting the wires under the hooks however getting the key to snap into place so it’s still springy still eludes me. Any suggestions?
thanks
Wow. Thanks so much for posting this. I dropped my pb & j (yes, careless of me – I will not eat near my computer again!) and frantically searched for some advice on cleaning my aluminum 13″ macbook keys. The steps here were clear and helpful. just used some cotton pads and a little rubbing alcohol. Once I figured out how the little pieces worked, it was a lot easier to remove and replace the other keys. Again, many thanks.
p.s. The Shift key gave me some trouble. The little plastic things came out different than the others and I had to reassemble them a few times… tricky little guys but I got it.
This worked on my iMac 7,1 Aluminum keyboard!
Following Andy’s instructions – remove the keycap from the top, once the two clips are free, I was able to gently push the bottom of the key, up and away.
Brillant!