Link Bar Keys

Select the appropriate keyboard map below:

• MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

• MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020; and 13-inch, M2, 2022)

• MacBook Air (M2, 2022) or later and MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch, 2021) or later

Note: Removal and reassembly steps for link bar keys are the same for all models.

Maps

Link Bar keys are highlighted and include the following:

• Space Bar

• Shift

• Tab

• Delete

• Caps Lock

• Return

• Escape — MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021), MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021), and later only

Note:

• Blue bars show the location of snaps.

• Green lines show the location of link bars.

MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020; and 13-inch, M2, 2022)

MacBook Air (M2, 2022) or later and MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch, 2021) or later

Removal

Important

Use two keycap levers for keys with two snaps. You can see these key types in the Link Bar Key Maps.

Note: This procedure shows the removal and reassembly of the Space bar, but the steps are the same whether a link bar key requires using one or two keycap levers. Notes and alerts describe how the procedures vary for the other types of link bar keys.

1. Identify the location of the snaps under the key that you need to replace using the Link Bar Key Maps.

2. Peel the frosted liner from one side of the 1x1 precut adhesive strips. Press and hold the large end of the keycap lever on the adhesive for 10 seconds. Lift the keycap lever and the adhesive to separate them from the white liner.

   

3. Place the keycap lever on its side. Repeat step 2 with the second keycap lever, then continue to step 4.

4. Align the keycap levers over the snaps.

5. Lightly press the adhesive ends of the keycap levers onto the key.

   • Important: Point the arrow on a lever to the hinged side of the keycap, which is opposite of the side that snaps onto the keyboard. You can find the location of the snaps in the Link Bar Key Maps.

   • Note: The JIS Return key has three link bars and one side snap. Position the keycap lever so that the arrow points toward the link bar on the right side of the keyboard.

6. Hold the keycap levers and adhesive on the key for 10 seconds to activate the adhesive.

   

7. Tilt up the keycap levers in the direction of the arrows until you feel the snaps release.

   • Caution: For a key with one link bar, don’t tilt up the keycap more than 20 degrees.

     

   • Important: The bottom link bar on larger keys might stick to the keycap during removal. If this happens, hold the two keycap levers and insert the black stick between the keycap and the bottom link bar. Use the black stick to release the link bar into the keycap well.

   

8. Remove the keycap.

9. Inspect the scissor mechanisms and keycap wells:

   • Use the black stick to gently move each scissor mechanism up and down. Verify that each scissor mechanism moves easily and lies flat when released. If it does not, replace the scissor mechanism.

   • Use the black stick to press and release each dome through the top of the scissor mechanism — a dome should spring back upright. If a dome is damaged or not centered, replace the top case.

   • If a lower hook is bent, try to bend it back to a 90-degree angle.

   • If an upper hook is bent, use needle-nose pliers to straighten it.

   • If any lower hook or upper hook is broken or bent beyond repair, replace the top case.

10. Use compressed air to clean the well of the keycap.

    • Note: If compressed air doesn’t dislodge visible debris, use a microterry polishing cloth to gently dislodge the debris.

11. Remove the keycap and adhesives from the keycap lever. Discard the keycap and adhesives.

Reassembly

Important

For the keycaps that have more than one link bar, check that the top link bar is preinstalled on the replacement keycap.

Note: On the JIS Return key, the link bar that fits into the right side of the keycap well is preinstalled.

1. Position the keycap in the well and insert the top link bar into the metal hooks that are on each side of the well.

   • Important: To reinstall the JIS Return key, insert the keycap into the right side of the well.

   

2. Push the keycap forward to set the top link bar in place.

3. Gently press the snaps and scissor mechanisms as shown to engage the keycap. You can find the snap locations in the Link Bar Key Maps.

   • Note: For keys with one link bar, gently push the hinged side of the replacement keycap into the hinged side of the well at a 15-degree angle until the hinges engage. Then gently press the snap or snaps.

   

4. Tap the key repeatedly to verify that it springs back each time. If the keycap doesn’t appear to be correctly installed, repeat all removal and reassembly steps with a new keycap.