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Stains on the MacBook screen: cleaning or staingate?
A mark that wipes off with a cloth has nothing to do with a coating that is peeling. Start with a risk-free clean, then compare what remains with the table: it tells you whether it is staingate, the panel or something else.
First, clean the screen without damaging it
1. Shut down and unplug
Shut down the Mac and unplug the charger: marks are easier to see on a black screen, and you won't press anything by mistake.
2. A soft, barely damp cloth
Use a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with water only, and wipe without pressing.
3. Stubborn marks
Apple allows a cloth dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Put the liquid on the cloth, never directly on the screen.
4. What you must never use
Window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide: they attack the screen's coating.
Nano-texture glass display (an option on some MacBook Pro models): use the polishing cloth supplied by Apple or a microfibre screen cloth, and 70% alcohol only occasionally.
What remains after cleaning: what it means
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Stains with irregular edges, “washed-out” areas that grow, most visible with the screen off or on a dark background | The anti-reflective coating is peeling: this is staingate | Replace the screen: the coating cannot be repaired |
| Key-shaped marks, lined up like the keyboard | Contact between the keyboard and the screen when the Mac is closed: grease from fingers, then wear of the coating | Clean; if the marks remain, the coating is worn |
| Lighter areas or halos, visible on a white background | Pressure on the panel: an object in the bag, the Mac closed on something, an impact | Replace the panel or the complete screen |
| Black or coloured stains that spread, like ink | Panel cracked under the glass, often after a fall or pressure | Replace the screen |
| Vertical lines, dark bottom of the screen or “stage light” effect | Worn display cable (flexgate) or damaged panel | See the flexgate guide below |
Staingate in brief
“Staingate” refers to the anti-reflective coating on Retina screens peeling off in patches. It mainly affects Retina MacBook Pro models from 2012 to 2017 and the 12-inch MacBook from 2015 to 2017.
Apple acknowledged the defect in 2015 with an internal repair programme, never publicly announced, which replaced the screen for a few years after purchase. These Macs are all more than seven years old today: in practice, the replacement is at your own expense.
The coating is on the screen glass: the only lasting repair is to replace the screen, or the panel alone where one exists for your model.
Affected models and their replacement screen
- MacBook 12″ (2015-2017) — A1534
- MacBook Pro 13″ (2012-2013) — A1425
- MacBook Pro 13″ (2013-2015) — A1502
- MacBook Pro 13″ (2016-2017) — A1706, A1708
- MacBook Pro 15″ (2012-2015) — A1398
- MacBook Pro 15″ (2016-2017) — A1707
Can you remove the coating yourself?
Some people strip off the entire coating with a product to make the stains disappear. It is irreversible: the screen loses its anti-reflective treatment and reflects more, and the liquid can seep into the edges of the panel. We advise against it.
Avoiding marks on a new screen
- Clean the keyboard and palm rest regularly: it is the grease on the keys that marks the screen.
- Don't slip anything between the keyboard and the screen before closing the Mac: Apple advises against it, as the pressure can damage the screen.
- Carry the Mac in a separate compartment, with nothing placed on top of it.
Further reading
- Flexgate: lines or dark bottom of the screen on MacBook Pro
- Black screen on a MacBook that is on: 4 tests
- The screen price for every MacBook Air
- The screen price for every MacBook Pro
Frequently asked questions
Can you clean a MacBook screen with alcohol?
Yes, with 70% isopropyl alcohol applied to a soft cloth, never sprayed onto the screen. For everyday cleaning, water is enough.
Is staingate still covered by Apple?
Apple's programme only covered the screen for a few years after purchase. The affected models are all more than seven years old: the replacement is now at your own expense.
Can staingate affect a MacBook Air?
The defect acknowledged by Apple concerns Retina MacBook Pro models from 2012 to 2017 and the 12-inch MacBook. On other models, key marks most often come from contact with the keyboard.
Should you replace the whole screen or just the panel?
The coating is on the panel glass: replacing the panel is enough where one exists for your model, otherwise it is the complete screen. Your model's guide shows what is available and at what price.
