Are You Eligible to Claim Part of Apple’s $250M AI iPhone Settlement? How to Find Out
Customers who purchased an iPhone 16, 16E, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 15 Pro, or 15 Pro Max between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025, are eligible for a share of a $250 million class-action settlement. Apple agreed to the payout following allegations that the company misled consumers by advertising Apple Intelligence features that were not available at the time of the devices’ release. According to the settlement terms, payouts are estimated to range between $25 and $95 per device, with approximately 36 million users potentially eligible.
Why was Apple sued over iPhone features?
The legal action centers on the marketing of Apple Intelligence, specifically features involving an advanced, agent-like version of Siri. According to the lawsuit, Apple “saturated the market with deceptive ads” that induced consumers to upgrade their hardware under the impression that these AI capabilities would be ready upon launch. In reality, the first set of these tools did not arrive until the iOS 18.1 update, which was released five weeks after the phones hit store shelves. While some features like Visual Intelligence and Writing Tools were available shortly after launch, the primary advanced Siri capabilities highlighted in promotional materials remained absent for weeks.
The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max were included in this settlement because they contain the specific A-series processor and RAM requirements necessary to run Apple Intelligence, making them technically capable of the features Apple marketed.
Who qualifies for the $250 million settlement?
Eligibility is tied strictly to the purchase date and the specific model owned. Anyone who bought an iPhone 16, 16E, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 15 Pro, or 15 Pro Max within the window of June 10, 2024, to March 29, 2025, is considered an eligible class member. An Apple spokesperson confirmed to CNET Managing Editor David Lumb that the company reached this settlement to resolve claims regarding the delayed availability of these specific features, stating, “We resolved this matter to stay focused on doing what we do best, delivering the most innovative products and services to our users.”
How to claim your settlement payment
You do not need to take any action immediately. According to the settlement agreement, Apple is required to provide a list of eligible customers and their contact information to a third-party administrator, Verita. Once the court grants final approval for the settlement—scheduled for June 17, 2026—Verita will begin sending notifications via email and postal mail. These notices will direct eligible users to a dedicated settlement website. You will have 90 days from the date you receive your notice to file a claim.
Timeline for receiving your payment
Payments are expected to begin arriving after September 2026. The process follows a strict timeline: after the June 17, 2026, court approval, Apple has five days to provide customer data. A 45-day notice period follows to inform potential claimants. Finally, there is a 60-day window to resolve objections or exclusions before the distribution of funds begins. Depending on court scheduling and potential extensions, checks or digital deposits will be processed once these administrative hurdles are cleared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to hire a lawyer to get paid?
No. This is a class-action settlement, and you are automatically included as a potential claimant if you purchased an eligible device during the specified timeframe.
How much money will I actually get?
Payouts are currently estimated to be between $25 and $95 per device, depending on the final number of total claims filed.
What if I bought my phone used?
The settlement terms focus on the initial retail purchase window. Check the official settlement website once it launches to confirm if secondary-market purchases qualify.
Have you checked your purchase receipt for your iPhone 16 or 15 Pro? Let us know in the comments if you have questions about the upcoming claims process. For more tech industry updates, subscribe to our weekly newsletter.