Apple agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing it of false advertising and unfair competition, after the personalized Siri features it promoted when launching iPhone 16 saw significant delays. So now many iPhone users can lay claim to payouts.
Apple settlement over delayed Siri AI — how to claim a payout
Apple showed off a smarter, Apple Intelligence version of Siri at WWDC 2024 and then promoted it in ads and videos when the iPhone 16 launched in September 2024. The lawsuit alleged the company’s marketing went well beyond what the technology could actually deliver. Plaintiffs argued that Apple “saturated the internet, television, and other airwaves” to build consumer expectations that these AI features would be available when the iPhone shipped.
After Apple delayed the Siri Apple Intelligence features in March 2025, it pulled its ads — but they had been running for several months at that point. The suit further claimed Apple had violated consumer law by misleading consumers about the actual utility and performance of Apple Intelligence, causing them to purchase devices “with features that did not exist or were materially misrepresented.”
Who is eligible and how much could you receive
The settlement covers approximately 37 million devices bought in the United States between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025, including all iPhone 16 models and the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Apple’s $250 million payment will provide eligible U.S. claimants with a per-device payment of $25 for each qualifying device, though that could increase to as much as $95 per device if claim volume is low. In other words, if relatively few people file claims, the individual payout goes up — so it might pay to submit yours.
The settlement also covers attorneys’ fees and various other administrative costs, which reduces the pool actually paid out to users. Apple is not admitting any wrongdoing as part of the agreement.
How to submit a claim
Those wishing to submit a claim will need to provide proof of purchase, the serial number of the eligible device, their phone number and Apple Account information.
The settlement has received preliminary approval. Those eligible to make a claim will start to receive email notices no more than 45 days from now.
What Apple says — and what comes next
Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
So far Apple has kept its comments on the matter brief, saying it is resolving claims related to two unnamed features.
“We resolved this matter to stay focused on doing what we do best, delivering the most innovative products and services to our users,” it said in statements to media.
The company has been scrambling to keep up with tech rivals amid the AI boom. But it still hasn’t delivered on the promised Siri revamp. Apple is expected to unveil its Siri upgrade this year, most likely at its annual developer conference next month.
Apple’s legal troubles over Siri don’t end here, either. A separate class-action lawsuit led by South Korea’s National Pension Service argues that Apple’s AI delays cost investors billions in stock market losses. Apple seeks to have the case dismissed.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
