Do You Have an Older iPhone? Apple Might Owe You Money

Have you owned an iPhone 6, 7, or SE over the years? If so, Apple may owe you some money. According to Apple, the recent settlement brings an end to the infamous Batterygate scandal that resulted in a class-action lawsuit. According to the suit, Apple purposefully slowed the “performance of certain iPhones, ostensibly to make the batteries last longer.” The class-action suit argued the tech company never “informed customers of this action nor gave users any means to control the feature.” Though Apple recently agreed to settle the suit, it did so without admitting culpability. 

So, how do you know if you’re due some cash? For starters, to qualify for a chunk of the settlement, you have to meet the following conditions, according to the settlement:

You must own or have owned an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, and/or SE device that ran iOS 10.2.1 or later before Dec. 21, 2017; or you must own or have owned an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus device that ran iOS 11.2 or later before Dec. 21, 2017. You’ll also need the serial number for your device to prove that you owned it.

Under the agreement, the following iPhones are eligible for a payout:

• iPhone 6
• iPhone 6s
• iPhone 6 Plus
• iPhone 6s Plus
• iPhone 7
• iPhone 7s
• iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 7s Plus
• iPhone

In total, Apple will pay out between $310,000,000 and $500,000,000, depending on the number of claims submitted. However, each person is expected to only receive $25. It’s important to note, though, that that amount “could end up higher or lower based on how many people submit a claim.” The proposal was authorized by the US District Court for the Northern District of California. It’s now awaiting final approval because the money can begin being paid to individuals filing claims.

If you think you’re eligible for a chunk of the settlement, visit the company’s settlement page for Apple Inc. Device Performance Litigation. From there, you can find the directions to file a claim by mail or online. To file a claim online, you have to open the claim submission form and enter your phone’s serial number to see if it qualifies. If your claim qualifies, you will have to enter your contact information and mailing address. Additionally, you can choose how you want the payout delivered, either electronically or by check. All claims must be submitted by October 6, 2020. At the moment, the final hearing is scheduled for December 4, 2020. After that date, anyone who filed a claim will know for sure whether they will receive a payout. 

Sources:

Apple may owe you money for slowing down your iPhone

Apple Might Owe You $25 for Slowing Down Your iPhone