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.
I didn’t think to run it under water
Any tips for getting these things off (especially space)?
Many, many thanks. I always use qwerty layout here in Slovakia. But someone once decided Slovaks use qwertz. And now, I have full featured with all the accented chars keys slovak QWERTY Apple aluminum keyboard. Thanks, Andy!
I work in a school where a handful of students take it upon themselves to swap the key caps around (they usually end up breaking things in the process because they don’t really know what they’re doing and/or are just plain malicious). I have successfully used the plastic “scissors” from a 9″ iBook keyboard to use as replacements on the new, flat aluminium ones. They appear to be exactly the same size and shape. It is a tricky process, and you will probably need to use a magnifying glass, but I have done it a few times, and it has saved us buying a complete new keyboard each time. You can’t buy sets of keyboard parts from Apple – I have enquired a number of times without success.
ATTN:
I spilled 1-2oz of bottled water on my Apple keyboard (same keyboard being discussed here) and 1/3 of the keys don’t work anymore. Taking the keys off the board and fiddling inside didn’t help.
Can anyone offer any advice?
Steven Jones: I can’t find the receipt but I did buy scissors online last year. It might have been here .
Elliot: Unplug and rinse the keyboard for a few minutes, then dry it thoroughly. I put mine near a warm air vent for a few hours to dry it.
Excelling info! Got my keys off and back on without breaking a single one. Unlike previously on my iBook where I broke a few.
When replacing the keycaps the wiggling can sometimes break the wider, bottom, latches. I found the best thing to do is to hold the scissor up slide the key almost upside down under it (about 130 degrees) and latch it. There’s a little gap there for it to latch this way. Once the bottom is hooked let the key fall naturally, then wiggle a little with your finger as you push the top in place.
Thanks again for saving me from breaking my keys!
I have a PB4 and the Apple key popped up from the lower edge. I thought it was going to be a big problem but I followed your instructions and in less than 5 minutes it was fixed. Thanks for taking the time to offer your DIY site.
I live in Chile, and macs are gaining popularity but im probably one of the few with a 24in imac, which I brought with me from the states. As such, its a popular item when people are over, and I find when I stand up to go to the bathroom, upon returning, without fail, someone will be taking hundreds of photos of themselves with the distortions. On one of these occasions my knucklehead cousin spilled a glass of coke on the right side of the keyboard and kind of just stared at it for a bit. Being my first aluminum, I thought it would be resistant. Not. Whole left side is sticky and, worse, the keys actually make noise now. Gone are the days of smooth stealth key stroking. I was going to go buy a new one, but after looking up cleaning the mighty mouse due to the wont scroll down issue, second one to do this, I figured id look into cleaning this sexy beast. Thanks for the info!
This was really helpful; I keep swearing I’m going to stop eating at the keyboard, but that keeps not happening. I successfully repaired one stuck key. Another key (my “C” key) still makes occasional funny clicking noises, and there’s no visible dirt or goop, so I’m going to try the rinse-in-water trick next (AFTER I buy an alternate keyboard).
@Oben: If you’re a little handy, you could probably make your own index marks. A drop of epoxy would work perfectly. You’ll still have the original index marks on F and J, but maybe you could file them off? (Or, if you don’t mind the cheapo look, get an extra E and I keycap, and with marker or paint, turn them into F and J
)
I used one of those clear plastic stick-on dome-shaped feet (for putting knickknacks on glass tables) to make the Mac Pro’s power switch easier to feel. That idea would work for the keyboard too, but I don’t think they come nearly small enough…
Thank you, Andy !! Very useful info. Key removed and replaced with no problem.
And ours was the “C” key sticking, as well… Hmmm…. CoinCidenCe?
What is the “scissor” you talk about? I still can’t reconnect my “down” arrow key..
Kay
Thanks so much Andy for this brilliant ‘how-to’. Really was the best info I could find on how to remove the keys to clean the beer from under several sticky keys. Top tip: Don’t leave your bottle of Miller next to your shiny keyboard when surfing You Tube! Thanks again!
Thanks a million for this description. I also managed to remove the larger keys (even Caps Lock) without damaging anything. You can unpin in the same way like skeltoac described, but mind to slide the metal support hoop back into its hangers before putting them back in place
Has anyone run into the “clicky keys” problem? I’m on my third aluminum keyboard in six months of owning a Mac, and inevitably, some of the keys start getting, well, clicky. It’s as if there’s some tiny particle that they’re crunching down on, but when I remove the keycap, I can’t see anything. Likewise, sometimes they’ll start feeling sticky and “slow”.
I’ve tried compressed air, wiping down the keycap, scissor, and aluminum edge, and nothing seems to work. I’ve even (accidentally) removed the scissor and re-attached it. Sometimes I think I’ve fixed it, but then it returns on the same key. The membrane switch itself feels normal.
My environmental hazards are the usual: food and drink, pet hair, arm hair. Obviously, I try to be careful.
I just took one of my non-functioning keyboards and rinsed it for a few minutes, so I’ll find out soon if that helps, but it seems a bit extreme. Any clues? I’ve owned probably a dozen different keyboards from Microsoft, Logitech, and Kinesis Ergo, and I’ve never seen this before; Apple’s keys are incredibly fragile.
Update: Rinsing didn’t help at all. Anyone have ideas?