How to protect your MacBook keyboard: keyboard cover, yes or no?

The keyboard is the part of your MacBook you touch most and the hardest to keep clean: dust that slips between the keys, breakfast crumbs, the shiny patches that build up on the space bar or the Command key. A silicone keyboard cover is the cheapest way to avoid all that, but it isn't perfect and it isn't for everyone. In this guide we explain what it really protects against, its downsides, how to pick the right model and which other accessories go well with it.

What a keyboard cover protects against (and what it doesn't)

A keyboard cover is a thin silicone sheet moulded to the exact shape of the keys. It sits on the keyboard without adhesive and comes off in a second. These are its real advantages:

• Dust and crumbs: this is where it shines. Dirt stays on top of the silicone instead of falling under the keys, where it is very hard to get out.
• Light splashes: a few drops of coffee or water stay on the sheet, giving you time to wipe them up. It does not make the keyboard waterproof, though: if you knock a glass over, liquid can get in around the edges, so switch the Mac off and dry it anyway.
• Shine and key wear: over the years, the oil from your fingers polishes the plastic and leaves shiny keys or faded letters. The silicone takes that friction instead.
• Hygiene and style: it washes with soap and water, and a colour or a gradient gives your MacBook a new look without touching the machine itself.

What it doesn't do: it doesn't protect the screen, the trackpad or the outside of the laptop, and it is no substitute for a case or a sleeve when you carry it in your backpack.

The downsides, honestly

Typing feels different

You will notice you are typing on silicone. The keys feel softer and the travel seems a little shorter; on the plus side, typing is quieter. Many people get used to it in a couple of days, but if you type for hours and are fussy about feel, you may prefer to use it only at certain times: eating at your desk, in the kitchen, with children around or when travelling.

Take it off before closing the lid

This is the most important point. The gap between the screen and the keyboard of a closed MacBook is tiny, and Apple warns about it in its support document 102051: leaving any material on the keyboard when you close the lid can damage the display, and the current version of the document recommends removing camera, palm rest or keyboard covers before closing it. If the laptop stays closed for a long time with the cover on and some pressure on top (inside a full backpack, for example), the screen can also end up with key marks. Our practical advice: remove it before closing and, if you ever see marks on the glass, clean them with a soft cloth and don't close the laptop with the keyboard cover on again.

You need the right model

A keyboard cover only works if it matches your keyboard to the millimetre. One made for another model leaves the keys misaligned and slides around as you type. That is why the next section is worth two minutes of your time.

How to choose the right keyboard cover

1. Check the Axxxx model number

Don't rely on the name "MacBook Air 13" alone: the same family includes different chassis and keyboards. The reliable reference is the model number starting with A, printed on the bottom case of the laptop. If you're not sure where to find it, our guide Which MacBook do I have? walks you through it step by step.

2. Check which models it is available for

These are the model groups we make keyboard covers for:

Two notes. The 256 GB MacBook Neo has a power key instead of Touch ID and uses a different mould, so these covers don't fit it. And A3536 is the 14" MacBook Pro with M6, a model number that is still provisional until Apple publishes it on its support site. As for the new touchscreen MacBook Pro PROLED XDR 14" and 16" (2026), it has a new chassis and keyboard, and we haven't yet checked whether our keyboard covers fit it, so we don't list it for now.

3. Choose the layout: Spanish or English, EU or US

All our keyboard covers are QWERTY and come in four versions: Spanish EU, Spanish US, English EU and English US. The language tells you which letters are printed on the keys (with or without Ñ). The format matters even more: MacBooks sold in Spain and Europe use the EU format (tall Return key and an extra key next to the left Shift), while those bought in the United States use the US format (horizontal Return key). If you bought your Mac in Spain, you almost certainly need "Spanish EU".

How to clean it

Take it off the keyboard, wash it with lukewarm water and a little mild soap, rinse it and let it air-dry completely before putting it back on. Don't use alcohol, bleach or scouring pads, as they can damage the silicone. Use the moment to clean the keyboard as well: with the Mac switched off and unplugged, wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth, slightly damp if needed, without applying liquid directly.

Our keyboard covers and add-ons

You'll find every colour in our collection of MacBook keyboard covers. These four designs are available for all the models in the table:

MacBook Keyboard Cover – Pink Gradient Design — Silicone in a soft pink gradient, for anyone who wants to protect the keyboard with a subtle touch of colour.

MacBook Keyboard Cover – Rainbow Multicolor Design — The boldest of the four, with every colour of the rainbow: ideal for students or for spotting your laptop at a glance.

MacBook Keyboard Cover – Purple Gradient Design — Purple tones that go well with a silver or midnight MacBook.

MacBook Keyboard Cover – Green-Blue Gradient Design — A fresh green-to-blue gradient that livens up a grey keyboard without losing legibility.

If you want to go a step further, there are two areas the keyboard cover doesn't reach that also wear over time:

MacBook Trackpad Protector — A clear film against scratches and marks on the trackpad, for MacBook Air (A1932, A2179, A2337, Air 13" and 15" from M2 to M5) and MacBook Pro 13" A2251 / A2289 / A2338.

MacBook Touch Bar Protector — For MacBook Pro models with Touch Bar (A1706, A1707, A1989, A1990, A2159, A2141, A2289, A2251 and A2338): prevents scratches on the touch strip without losing responsiveness.

You'll find more options in trackpad protectors and Touch Bar protectors.

So, keyboard cover: yes or no?

Yes, if you eat or drink near your laptop, work in dusty places, share your Mac with children, want to keep the keyboard like new for resale or simply fancy a splash of colour. Probably not, or only now and then, if you type for hours and the original feel comes first, or if you know you'll forget to remove it before closing the lid. Given what it costs, trying one is low-risk: if it doesn't win you over, keep it for when you need it.

Frequently asked questions about MacBook keyboard covers

Can I close my MacBook with the keyboard cover on?

Better not. In its support document 102051, Apple advises removing keyboard covers before closing the display, because the gap between the screen and the keyboard is very tight.

Does it make the keyboard waterproof?

No. It keeps out dust, crumbs and light splashes, but spilled liquid can get in around the edges.

Does it fit the MacBook Neo?

Only the 512 GB version with Touch ID (A3404). The 256 GB version has a power key instead of Touch ID and needs a different mould.

Does it fit the new touchscreen MacBook Pro PROLED XDR?

We haven't checked yet: it has a new chassis and keyboard. We'll update this page as soon as we can confirm it.

Which version should I choose if I bought my Mac in Spain?

Usually "Spanish EU", which matches the Spanish ISO keyboard with Ñ and a tall Return key that Apple sells in Spain.

Sources: Apple support document 102051 on camera, palm rest and keyboard covers for Mac notebooks (English version, 21/08/2023); Apple technical specifications for each model; Vivaldo compatibility table (updated 03/11/2026).