How to Temporarily Remove Keys from Macbook

Remove the key

Unplug your Mac and turn it off. Click the Apple menu, select Shut Down. and then click Shut Down when prompted. This ensures that you will not be electrocuted and that your Mac will not be affected when you remove the key.

Self-grounding . Even though you're not touching circuits or similar sensitive components inside the device, self-grounding only takes a few seconds and will help eliminate the risk (however small) of the key's electronic components being affected.

Find a tool to pry the key up. You need something with a relatively large, thin, and hard surface. Here are a few suggestions:

Guitar pick keys

Credit card/ATM

Plastic component pry stick

Plastic butter knife

Collect tools. You'll need a cotton swab (to clean the spaces between the keys) and a toothpick or similar thin, pliable object (to scrape away the dirt stuck around the keys).

Clean underneath the keys. Use a toothpick (or similar object) to scrape the bottom around the key. This will remove debris, dirt, etc. from the keys.

As always, you need to be gentle so you don't get the toothpick stuck under the key.

Insert the toothpick only about 3 mm below the key.

Clean the area around the keys. Dip a cotton swab in some warm, clean water, then squeeze out all the water (because we only need the cotton tip to be slightly damp) and sweep the area around the key.

This will remove any sticky or greasy build-up around the keys, making it easier for you to remove the buttons.

This step also helps clean away any dirt left behind after you scrape with a toothpick.

You can use isopropyl alcohol instead of water if the dirt around the keys is too stubborn.

Insert the pry tool into the space under the key. This is where the key is most likely to separate.

Gently pry the key up. You may need to push the tool back and forth while prying; When a few light 'clicks' sound, the keycap has popped off.

After inserting the pry tool into the space below the key, you can press the tip of the stick down a little deeper to increase the pulling force.

Turn the key and pull straight up. The top of the key should face you while pulling, so the key's hook won't get stuck.

Carry out repairs if necessary. After doing what needs to be done, you can put the key back.

Install the key

Reinstall or replace key components if necessary. Below the key is a white frame and a smaller plastic piece; This structure helps your Mac's keycaps snap in and out of place easily. To reinstall the keycaps, simply insert the smaller plastic piece into the frame, then snap the frame back into place vertically so that the small square hole is to the right of the gap.

Insert the key into place at a 45-degree angle so that the white hook in the key compartment fits under the keycap.

If the hook is not in the correct position, you need to pick up the key and try again.

Gently press the key into position. This key will also be flat like the other keys.

Press down from above the key. The key will pop into place.

Press down around the key. You will hear a few light 'clicks', so the key has been attached.

Check keys. Press the key to make sure it turns up. If the key turns on, everything is working normally.

If the key does not spring back up, the plastic hooks are not in the correct position.

A key that won't pop up can also be a sign that the key isn't installed properly.

Lesley Montoya

Update 26 October 2023