MacBook keyboard keys appearing shiny

Many Macbook's keyboards are getting shiny, it just looks oily but it isn't, when I use a microfibre cloth, it does fade into this matt like texture...but there isn't really a way to solve this problem, keyboard covers can ruin the screen hinge, keyboard stickers can collect a lot of gunk (around the edges), and it's all because the keycaps are built cheap (so that it can be very thin)


But has anyone ever resolved this issue?


Posted on Dec 12, 2025 11:29 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 13, 2025 7:36 PM

This can happen to any keyboard that is used normally.


Basically, your fingertips (and fingernails if they are long and come into contact with the keys) along with normal hand/finger oils are polishing the tops of the keycaps with friction. Just as the tires on your car wear from being driven on, your shoe soles wear out by walking, your keycaps will wear (get polished) by your fingers typing on them.


About the only way to prevent this is:

Don't use the keyboard (not a solution)

Use a keyboard cover (which can damage other parts of the MacBook in a different way).

Use a removable keyboard cover while the MacBook is in use and remember to remove it every time you will be closing the lid.


Or just accept the fact that this will happen and live with it.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 13, 2025 7:36 PM in response to NyanXP

This can happen to any keyboard that is used normally.


Basically, your fingertips (and fingernails if they are long and come into contact with the keys) along with normal hand/finger oils are polishing the tops of the keycaps with friction. Just as the tires on your car wear from being driven on, your shoe soles wear out by walking, your keycaps will wear (get polished) by your fingers typing on them.


About the only way to prevent this is:

Don't use the keyboard (not a solution)

Use a keyboard cover (which can damage other parts of the MacBook in a different way).

Use a removable keyboard cover while the MacBook is in use and remember to remove it every time you will be closing the lid.


Or just accept the fact that this will happen and live with it.

MacBook keyboard keys appearing shiny

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