Mac keyboard: AZERTY or QWERTY, which layout? | Place du Mac

Guide · Keyboard

Mac keyboard: AZERTY or QWERTY, which one?

Place du Mac — Guide pratique

The layout is printed on the keys: no setting turns an AZERTY keyboard into a QWERTY one. Here is what actually changes, what macOS can still do about it, and which keyboard fits your model.

The essentials

The physical layout (French AZERTY, US or British QWERTY, German QWERTZ…) is printed on the keys and cannot be changed in software. macOS does let you switch the logical layout, but the printed letters will no longer match. To get a proper keyboard back you need the right part, in the right layout, for the right A number.

The table

The compatible keyboard, model by model

Find your model using the “A” number engraved on the underside of the case. Each keyboard is sold for one specific model; the available layouts vary between generations.

Keyboard: the right part for your Mac, model by model

Find your model by its Apple reference (the “A” number engraved on the underside of the case), then click it to see every compatible part.

ModelApple referenceCompatible part
MacBook Air (11-inch, Late 2010)A1370 · EMC 2393French keyboard for MacBook Air 11" (A1370/A1465, 2011-2015)
MacBook Air (13-inch, Late 2010)A1369 · EMC 2392British keyboard for MacBook Air 13" (A1369/A1466, 2011-2017)
MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2011)A1370 · EMC 2471French keyboard for MacBook Air 11" (A1370/A1465, 2011-2015)
MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2011)A1369 · EMC 2469British keyboard for MacBook Air 13" (A1369/A1466, 2011-2017)
MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2012)A1465 · EMC 2558French keyboard for MacBook Air 11" (A1370/A1465, 2011-2015)
MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2012)A1466 · EMC 2559British keyboard for MacBook Air 13" (A1369/A1466, 2011-2017)
MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2013)A1465 · EMC 2631French keyboard for MacBook Air 11" (A1370/A1465, 2011-2015)
MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2013)A1466 · EMC 2632British keyboard for MacBook Air 13" (A1369/A1466, 2011-2017)
MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2014)A1465 · EMC 2631French keyboard for MacBook Air 11" (A1370/A1465, 2011-2015)
MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2014)A1466 · EMC 2632British keyboard for MacBook Air 13" (A1369/A1466, 2011-2017)
MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2015)A1465 · EMC 2924French keyboard for MacBook Air 11" (A1370/A1465, 2011-2015)
MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015)A1466 · EMC 2925British keyboard for MacBook Air 13" (A1369/A1466, 2011-2017)
MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017)A1466 · EMC 3178British keyboard for MacBook Air 13" (A1369/A1466, 2011-2017)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)A1932 · EMC 3184Key Conversion Kit AP12 American to French for MacBook Pro 13" (A1706/A1708, 2016-2019)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)A1932 · EMC 3184Key Conversion Kit AP12 American to French for MacBook Pro 13" (A1706/A1708, 2016-2019)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)A2179 · EMC 3302French keyboard for MacBook Air 13" (A2179, 2020)
MacBook Air (M1, 2020)A2337 · EMC 3598French keyboard for MacBook Air 13" (A2337, M1, 2020)
MacBook Air (M2, 2022)A2681 · EMC 4074American keyboard for MacBook Air 13"/15" (A2681/A3113/A3240/A2941/A3114/A3241, 2022-2025), Midnight
MacBook Air (15-inch, M2, 2023)A2941 · EMC 8301American keyboard for MacBook Air 13"/15" (A2681/A3113/A3240/A2941/A3114/A3241, 2022-2025), Midnight
MacBook Air (13-inch, M3, 2024)A3113 · EMC 8611American keyboard for MacBook Air 13"/15" (A2681/A3113/A3240/A2941/A3114/A3241, 2022-2025), Midnight
MacBook Air (15-inch, M3, 2024)A3114 · EMC 8612American keyboard for MacBook Air 13"/15" (A2681/A3113/A3240/A2941/A3114/A3241, 2022-2025), Midnight
MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025)A3240 · EMC 8781American keyboard for MacBook Air 13"/15" (A2681/A3113/A3240/A2941/A3114/A3241, 2022-2025), Midnight
MacBook Air (15-inch, M4, 2025)A3241 · EMC 8782American keyboard for MacBook Air 13"/15" (A2681/A3113/A3240/A2941/A3114/A3241, 2022-2025), Midnight
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)A1286 · EMC 2255French Keyboard for MacBook Pro 15" (A1286, 2009-2012)
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009)A1297 · EMC 2272French keyboard for MacBook Pro 17" (A1297, 2009-2011)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009)A1278 · EMC 2326American Keyboard for MacBook Pro 13" (A1278, 2008-2012)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53GHz, Mid 2009)A1286 · EMC 2324French Keyboard for MacBook Pro 15" (A1286, 2009-2012)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009)A1286 · EMC 2325French Keyboard for MacBook Pro 15" (A1286, 2009-2012)
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009)A1297 · EMC 2329French keyboard for MacBook Pro 17" (A1297, 2009-2011)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010)A1278 · EMC 2351American Keyboard for MacBook Pro 13" (A1278, 2008-2012)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010)A1286 · EMC 2353French Keyboard for MacBook Pro 15" (A1286, 2009-2012)
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010)A1297 · EMC 2352French keyboard for MacBook Pro 17" (A1297, 2009-2011)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)A1278 · EMC 2419American Keyboard for MacBook Pro 13" (A1278, 2008-2012)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)A1286 · EMC 2353-1French Keyboard for MacBook Pro 15" (A1286, 2009-2012)
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)A1297 · EMC 2352-1French keyboard for MacBook Pro 17" (A1297, 2009-2011)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2011)A1278 · EMC 2555American Keyboard for MacBook Pro 13" (A1278, 2008-2012)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2011)A1286 · EMC 2563French Keyboard for MacBook Pro 15" (A1286, 2009-2012)
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2011)A1297 · EMC 2564French keyboard for MacBook Pro 17" (A1297, 2009-2011)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)A1278 · EMC 2554American Keyboard for MacBook Pro 13" (A1278, 2008-2012)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012)A1286 · EMC 2556French Keyboard for MacBook Pro 15" (A1286, 2009-2012)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2012)A1398 · EMC 2512French keyboard for MacBook Pro 15" Retina (A1398, 2012-2015)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012)A1425 · EMC 2557French keyboard for MacBook Pro 13" Retina (A1425, 2012-Early 2013)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2013)A1425 · EMC 2672French keyboard for MacBook Pro 13" Retina (A1425, 2012-Early 2013)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2013)A1398 · EMC 2673French keyboard for MacBook Pro 15" Retina (A1398, 2012-2015)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013)A1502 · EMC 2678British keyboard for MacBook Pro 13" Retina (A1502, Late 2013-2015)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013)A1398 · EMC 2674French keyboard for MacBook Pro 15" Retina (A1398, 2012-2015)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014)A1502 · EMC 2875British keyboard for MacBook Pro 13" Retina (A1502, Late 2013-2015)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014)A1398 · EMC 2876French keyboard for MacBook Pro 15" Retina (A1398, 2012-2015)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)A1502 · EMC 2835British keyboard for MacBook Pro 13" Retina (A1502, Late 2013-2015)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)A1398 · EMC 2909French keyboard for MacBook Pro 15" Retina (A1398, 2012-2015)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)A1708 · EMC 2978British Keyboard for MacBook Pro 13" (A1708, 2016-2017)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)A1706 · EMC 3071French keyboard for MacBook Pro 13"/15" Touch Bar (A1706/A1707, 2016-2017)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)A1707 · EMC 3072French keyboard for MacBook Pro 13"/15" Touch Bar (A1706/A1707, 2016-2017)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)A1708 · EMC 3164British Keyboard for MacBook Pro 13" (A1708, 2016-2017)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)A1706 · EMC 3163French keyboard for MacBook Pro 13"/15" Touch Bar (A1706/A1707, 2016-2017)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)A1707 · EMC 3162French keyboard for MacBook Pro 13"/15" Touch Bar (A1706/A1707, 2016-2017)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)A1989 · EMC 3214Key Conversion Kit AP12 American to French for MacBook Pro 13" (A1706/A1708, 2016-2019)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)A1990 · EMC 3215Key Conversion Kit AP12 American to French for MacBook Pro 13" (A1706/A1708, 2016-2019)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)A1989 · EMC 3358Key Conversion Kit AP12 American to French for MacBook Pro 13" (A1706/A1708, 2016-2019)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)A1990 · EMC 3359Key Conversion Kit AP12 American to French for MacBook Pro 13" (A1706/A1708, 2016-2019)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)A2159 · EMC 3301British Keyboard for MacBook Pro 13" (A2159, 2019)
MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)A2141 · EMC 3347French keyboard for MacBook Pro 16" (A2141, 2019)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)A2289 · EMC 3456French keyboard for MacBook Pro 13" (A2289, 2020)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)A2251 · EMC 3348French keyboard for MacBook Pro 13" (A2251, 2020)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)A2338 · EMC 3578French keyboard for MacBook Pro 13" (A2338, M1 2020 / M2 2022)
MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)A2442 · EMC 3650French keyboard for MacBook Pro 16" (A2141, 2019)
MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021)A2485 · EMC 3651French keyboard for MacBook Pro 16" (A2141, 2019)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2, 2022)A2338 · EMC 8162French keyboard for MacBook Pro 13" (A2338, M1 2020 / M2 2022)
MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2023)A2992 · EMC 8407French keyboard for MacBook Pro 16" (A2141, 2019)
MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2023)A2780 · EMC 8103French keyboard for MacBook Pro 16" (A2141, 2019)
MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2024)A3185 · EMC 8623French keyboard for MacBook Pro 16" (A2141, 2019)
MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2024)A3403 · EMC 8895French keyboard for MacBook Pro 16" (A2141, 2019)
MacBook Pro (14-inch, M5, 2025)A3434French keyboard for MacBook Pro 16" (A2141, 2019)
MacBook Neo (13-inch, A18 Pro)A3404 · EMC 8984ANSI Keyboard with Touch ID for MacBook Neo (A3404), Powder Pink
MacBook Neo (13-inch, A18 Pro, 2026)A3404 · EMC 8984ANSI Keyboard with Touch ID for MacBook Neo (A3404), Powder Pink
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)A1534 · EMC 2746Key Conversion Kit AP12 American to French for MacBook Pro 13" (A1706/A1708, 2016-2019)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)A1534 · EMC 2991Key Conversion Kit AP12 American to French for MacBook Pro 13" (A1706/A1708, 2016-2019)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)A1534 · EMC 3099Key Conversion Kit AP12 American to French for MacBook Pro 13" (A1706/A1708, 2016-2019)
Layouts

AZERTY, QWERTY, QWERTZ: what changes

AZERTY (French)
A and Q, Z and W swap places compared with QWERTY, digits need the Shift key, and accents have dedicated keys. This is the layout sold in France and Belgium.
QWERTY (US / international)
The most widespread layout in the world and the one developers prefer. Digits are typed directly, accents through shortcuts.
British QWERTY
Close to the US layout, with a £ key and a differently shaped Return key.
QWERTZ (German, Swiss)
Z and Y swap places compared with QWERTY, and umlauts (ä, ö, ü) have their own keys.
Worth checking

Three things to check before buying

Your Mac's A number
A MacBook Air A1466 keyboard will not fit an A1932. The number under the case is the only reliable reference.
Keyboard alone or full top case
On many models the keyboard is riveted to the top case: the whole assembly is replaced, keyboard and sometimes battery included.
Backlighting
Some generations exist with and without backlighting. The part must match, otherwise the backlight will not work.
Software

Changing the layout in macOS: useful or not?

What it solves

In Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources you can add a layout: the Mac will type in AZERTY even on a QWERTY keyboard. Handy for occasional use or for typing in another language.

What it does not solve

The letters printed on the keys do not change. Day to day you either touch-type or make mistakes. For a main machine, the right physical layout is better.

Common belief

“You can convert a QWERTY keyboard into an AZERTY one”

Not physically. Stickers and key sets exist, but the keys on a recent Mac clip onto fragile mechanisms: the real answer is a keyboard (or a top case) in the right layout.

If you remember one thing

The layout is chosen when you buy the part, not in the settings. Start from your Mac's A number.

Frequently asked questions

Mac keyboard: your questions

Can a QWERTY keyboard be switched to AZERTY?

In software yes, in Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources, but the printed letters do not change. Physically, you have to replace the keyboard or the top case with an AZERTY one.

Which layout for a Mac bought abroad?

A Mac bought in the United States has a US QWERTY keyboard, a German one has QWERTZ. Replacing it with AZERTY is possible if the part exists for that A number.

Is the keyboard sold on its own?

It depends on the model: on many recent MacBook models the keyboard is riveted to the top case, which is replaced as one piece. The table above shows the right part for your model.

How do I know whether my keyboard is backlit?

If the letters light up in the dark, your model is backlit. The replacement part must have the same feature.

A few keys no longer respond, do I need a whole keyboard?

Not always: on some generations a single key can be replaced. Our guide on unresponsive Mac keys covers the cases.

What is the butterfly keyboard?

The mechanism used from 2015 to 2019, known for sticking keys. A dedicated guide explains the fault and the fixes.

Keyboard · Top Case · Mac keyboard keys that no longer respond: what to do? · MacBook butterfly keyboard fix

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