Overview
At long last, Apple's Batterygate saga has come to its conclusion here in Canada.
A quick refresher: starting in late 2016, iPhone 6S owners started reporting sudden shutdowns. With the release of iOS 10.2.1 the sudden shutdown morphed into widespread reports of phones slowing down ('throttling'). Apple originally denied it until the evidence became overwhelming, at which point they admitted throttling the performance of iOS in order to prevent shutdowns of devices with older and/or degraded batteries.
This whole debacle was dubbed 'Batterygate'.
In 2018, lawyers got involved and lawsuits were filed against Apple on both sides of the border. The Canadian lawsuits have finally worked their way through the courts to a resolution.
The upshot? If you owned or purchased an Apple iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, SE, 7, or 7 Plus before December 21, 2017, you may be eligible for up to $150 under the Canadian iPhone Power Management Class Action settlement.
Here's everything you need to know about why this Class Action was filed, who qualifies, and how to claim your payout.
Submit a claim HERE
What is the iPhone Class Action About?
In 2018, several lawsuits were filed against Apple in different provinces. The allegations against Apple included:
- Performance Mitigation Features: iOS updates (versions 10.2.1, 10.3, 11, and 11.2) allegedly caused iPhones to slow down.
- Premature Aging and Shutdowns: iPhones were said to degrade faster and shut down unexpectedly.
- Battery Performance Issues: Defects in the performance of the iPhone batteries were claimed.
- Misrepresentation: Allegations that Apple misrepresented or intentionally concealed these issues.
The Canadian Apple Class Action Settlement Details
Apple has agreed to a settlement amount between $11,137,500 CAD and $14,427,500 CAD (while denying wrongdoing).Who is Eligible for the Apple Class Action Settlement?
You may be eligible for a payment if you meet the following criteria:- Owned or purchased an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, SE, 7, or 7 Plus
- Your device had iOS 10.2.1 (released in 2016) or later for iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, SE or iOS 11.2 (released in 2017) or later for iPhone 7 or 7 Plus installed before December 21, 2017.
Note: residents of Quebec are not eligible to submit a claim, as there is a separate, ongoing case in Quebec.
How Much is the Payout Per User for the Canadian Apple Class Action Settlement?
The exact payout per user will depend on the number of approved claims, and is capped at a maximum of $150 per claim. The settlement fund is between a minimum of $11,137,500 CAD and a maximum of $14,427,500 CAD, to be distributed among all Class Members who submit a valid claim. The payout will be calculated based on the number of approved claims, so the more people who file, the smaller the individual payouts might be.
When Do I Have to Submit the Claim for the Canadian iPhone Power Management Class Action?
To receive a cash payment, Class Members must submit a valid Claim Form for each eligible iPhone device by September 2, 2024. Ensure all required information is provided to avoid delays or rejection of your claim.
How to Submit a Claim for the Apple Class Action?
To receive a cash payment, Class Members must submit a valid Claim Form for each eligible iPhone device by September 2, 2024. The Claim Form requires:
- Your name and mailing address.
- Your iPhone serial number.
- A declaration under oath stating that:
- Your iPhone ran iOS version 10.2.1 or later (for iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, SE) or iOS version 11.2 or later (for iPhone 7 or 7 Plus) before December 21, 2017.
- You experienced diminished performance on that device after the relevant iOS version was installed or downloaded.
Submit a claim HERE
How Do I Find the Serial Number of My iPhone?
To locate the serial number of your iPhone, follow these steps:
- On the Phone:
- Open the Settings app.
- Navigate to General > About.
- Scroll down to find the Serial Number.
- On the Original Packaging:
- The serial number is printed on the barcode label on the original packaging of your iPhone.
- Using iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later):
- Connect your iPhone to your computer.
- Open iTunes or Finder.
- Locate your device, and the serial number will be displayed in the summary section.
When Will Apple’s Class Action Lawsuit Pay Out?
The claim submission deadline is September 2nd, 2024. After this date, the payouts will be processed, but the exact timing is uncertain and demands on the administrative process. We expect it will take several months for the payments to be made.
