How to Clean Apple A1048 Keyboard - Teardown & Cleaning

I found the Apple Keyboard A1048 quite dirty so I thought it's time to clean it. This Apple Keyboard is really nice as long as it's clean. Being white and transparent, it gets dirty very easily and looks horrible. Thankfully, it wasn't very yellowed, so a simple wash was enough to make it clean.
Wonder how to clean the Apple Keyboard? This is how I did it.
After teardown, and fully disassembled, the Apple Keyboard is clean.
Apple Keyboard A1048 is one of the most icons keyboards from Apple.
#Apple #AppleKeyboard #Cleaning

[@Studiodorg]

Thanks so much for this video and the meticulous step-by-step guide. It gave me the courage to clean one my old A1048 keyboards. Just finished the first keyboard, one more to go…

[@paulavery8769]

just disassembling/examining/reassembling mine with your help cured my missing DELETE key function. Knowledge is timeless !

[@ericmarth]

All right, well I got in a bit of a hurry re-installing the keys so here are some tips for others who might be rushing and have experienced sticky keys after a full breakdown. The springs on the used A1048 I purchase were installed incorrectly. • Note how the springs are installed at 14:34! • Note at 14:55 how the springs tuck under the keeper tabs. This is essential to keeping your most-used keys from sticking. • The use of grease is indeed helpful but keep in mind that grease attracts dirt so use it sparingly I took my time and disassembled the board including the membrane, circuit board and keys. I didn't mess with the USB connections and cord. I hastily re-installed my keys and ran into stickiness. Save yourself wasted time and frustration and take your time to do it right the first time :)

[@squirlmy]

I was really confused about your use of the term "springs" since this is a "rubber dome" kb. I call those metal things "stabilizers". Because on mechanical kbs, like on the original IBM PCs, there are real springs.

[@hmaustips9742]

This was great! Those keyboards are hard to clean but they look awesome when done. Excellent instruction. Gives me courage to take the board off.

[@kentschubert]

You are a total pro! What a great video. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@dongnippano156]

Amazing work! I just finished mine and I'm typing on it now. I didn't remove the membrane as it looked new after getting the grime out. The A1048 is the best Apple keyboard - bar none. I am using it on my 2019 Mac Pro!

[@YesterdaysTech]

So great to use it on a contemporary Mac, glad you enjoy this keyboard

[@sergiobarbieri9325]

Appreciate a lot the videos and like they said, the thorough process to do it. I cleaned mine as well and had your video in the background over and over again :) Great job!

[@YesterdaysTech]

I'm glad it helped

[@Meirele]

Nice video. Thanks for posting this. I'm about to start the cleening of mine...

[@fredfernandez536]

YAY _ Thanks for the great tutorial!🍏

[@crazyandtruefacts]

Good job!

[@XIIIBeatoSensei]

Great video!! Thank you so much!!

[@kimacable]

Thanks for such a wonderful detailed and useful video. I absolutely dislike the 2017 magic bluetooth touch typing keyboard. You cannot type fast on it as it causes the 'edit widgets' notification to pop up constantly for some unknown reason. Further input becomes impossible. This makes it very frustrating to type an email or a pages document. It got so annoying that in the end I swapped the magic keyboard for the older keyboard shown in your video. I had it from my ppc imac g5 days. It works brilliantly on my current imac. I will try out the detailed step by step instructions you have shown to clean this keyboard.👍

[@YesterdaysTech]

Glad to hear you enjoy this keyboard

[@Saigon.1.9.7.5]

Thanks so much for this video

[@ty2k]

Thanks so much for this detailed step-by-step. I found the A1048 keys really stiff to use after cleaning. Any idea if you can lubricate the individual keys to make them a bit nicer to use, or is this a limitation of the key/switch design?

[@YesterdaysTech]

It shouldn't be a limitation. Did you let it dry enough? I personally wouldn't lubricate all keys one by one, excepting those with metal. I suggest to use it for a while and se if they become more friendly

[@Umut82429]

Hello. Could you please inform which tools you use to un-screw?

[@Webmistress360]

THANKS for a super clear and carefully detailed video 🙏🏽. Question: with what you cleaned the case, and how and with what can I clean the circuit board?

[@Webmistress360]

It actually looks like some of the metal plate's sides got a bit corroded, and leaked onto the right corners of the circuitboard (that plastic film with the key connection dots).How to wash that off the film?

[@YesterdaysTech]

It very much depends how corroded is the metal plate. Mine was a bit too, but didn't bother, if it’s way too much, try to leave the metal plate over night in vinegar, then try to use a wire brush until you get the rust off. The circuit board shouldn't be a problem, you can dive it into water and clean it with a soft sponge.

[@MylesMusic94]

Nice video!

[@bekirozcelik139]

thank you

[@frankhernandez133]

Great guide for such a process for cleaning a long beloved computer accessory. Especially one which supplies 2 extra USB connections, regardless if they are not made for charging. I came to this video in search of how to quiet such large buttons considering how the more recent keyboards (wireless or not) do not make as much noise when typing. Is this simply because the size of the buttons? Or would such a clean help quiet typing process? Maintaining simple cleaning of the buttons alone have not helped me to achieve less noice when typing. So before purchasing a newer keyboard, loving the USB ports on this model, should this cleaning help quiet the typing of this keyboard model?

[@YesterdaysTech]

I doubt the cleaning will make the keyboard less noisy. I think you might look for a different kind of keyboard. The slim keyboards similar to laptop keyboards tend to be more silent.

[@Spacedancer747]

Absolutely not. Anyone wanting a quiet keyboard should choose chicklet or other design. This keyboard is noisy. It wasn’t designed for lots of report writing etc. It was designed for general computer work: coding, some word processing, some gaming, the operating word being ‘some’. Keyboards from this era were all noisy. However they last FOREVER. They’ll work for 25 years easily. Nothing made now will. This keyboard can also be pounded on. Doing that to modern keyboards, even Apple’s will kill them in short order.

[@zacw1617]

Thank you for a fantastic video! I bought this keyboard and am nervous about detaching ribbons, should I be careful or is it easy? Thanks 😊

[@YesterdaysTech]

I don't think it's hard, but be careful 😃

[@Neptunianist]

Great video. I have one of these keyboards and it's in desparate need for a clean. I have done this once before but not as thoroughly as you have here; I just prised the keys out and cleaned what I could. Ths is far better. Do you mind if I ask what cleaning substances you used and what grease you used, please?

[@YesterdaysTech]

For cleaning I used rubbing alcohol which is either an isopropyl alcohol or an ethanol-based liquid. For washing, I only used soap and water. As grease, I don't remember the brand name, but any lubricant for metal-to-metal or metal-to-plastic will do the job. Good luck!

[@SirKeefyKeef]

Good Job, well done. Ill be doing my A1048 fairly soon, and treat t a a meditation lol. I’m sure it will take me a bit longer than 15 minutes 41 seconds though 🙏😎✌😀

[@anglenghong]

Do you how to map F keys to work with macOS Ventura?

[@agriffin1307]

Thank you!!!😢

[@stevekigginstv]

before and after at the end .. would have been a nice touch

[@karayuschij]

What size of screw driver??

[@AlyssiaStation]

Mine is broken. The space bar stays at the bottom after putting back on.

[@peglomaniac]

Wow, you are the most meticulous individual I have ever watched. TYVM! Now I have the courage to clean the keyboard I dug out of storage ... the keys are so sticky it slows me down terribly.

[@YesterdaysTech]

Good Luck! 🍀

[@zoeowrutsky8510]

Thank you for this video. Do you know what size screwdriver is necessary for this?

[@YesterdaysTech]

I think it was 1.3 Hex Driver. Any kit with Hex Drivers should include it.

[@zoeowrutsky8510]

@@YesterdaysTech Thanks!

[@Webmistress360]

The tiny scewdrivers in an eyeglasses fixing kit worked perfectly.

[@bhotsnax]

Anybody have an extra circuit membrane?!

[@TwoCatsUp]

I like your attention to detail. But unless I know which size allen wrench I'll need, I hesitate to perform the necessary tasks for removing the bottom. Also, my goal is to make the keyboard fully functional which means NO STICKING KEYS!! In your experience does it cure the keys from sticking? And do you understand what I mean by "sticking"? I mean when my finger makes a key stroke the key jams or sticks, it won't go down, and then I must repeat the keystroke which is annoying to have to do all the time. Thank you, very informative and inspirational. And I like the Mozart in the background. :) Also, what is the screwdriver brand. Thank you.

[@YesterdaysTech]

Hey Rex, I’m pretty sure I mentioned the required tools as I always do. The Torx T8 and Phillips PH0 are the one to go. And to answer your question, yes, a good cleaning is exactly what you need for solving the sticky thing. Unless you have a damaged melted membrane, I’m sure the cleaning will solve your problem

[@TwoCatsUp]

@@YesterdaysTech Hello and thanks so much for the speedy reply. I must have missed your identification of the tools, my apologies! But thanks for helping me out with that, it will help to have the best screwdriver for the job. And I appreciate the input regarding the keys because I'm sure my keyboards all need attention, will have to set aside a Saturday morning to dedicate myself to the task. Thanks again, and thanks also for the work you do putting these great vids together! Be well.

[@YesterdaysTech]

You’re welcome, I’m glad I helped. Good Luck 🍀

[@TwoCatsUp]

What would be especially helpful is the brand name of the short-handle screw driver you're using. Thank you!

[@YesterdaysTech]

I have mine since years ago and so far I see no brand on it, but any Tools Set should do the job

[@ampgworldwide8789]

"Congrats Apple for not using a single membrane part" HAHAHAHA

[@peglomaniac]

I could not tell if that was sarcasm but it made me chuckle too. :)

[@kaatharinaas4949]

which hex screw driver did you use ?

[@YesterdaysTech]

1.3 hex should do the job

[@kaatharinaas4949]

@@YesterdaysTech thank you so much

[@RobertBrown876]

Why dont they make clear phone cases out of this type of plastic......20 years later and still doesnt yellow.....try a new 2024 case and 14 days later it will be more yellow than gold

[@ooooohmygosh8389]

You will touch the phone case everyday, it accelerated the oxidation process.

[@giorgioagatone]

Grazie