Apple is paying up to 36 million iPhone users as part of $250M lawsuit settlement and here's how to see if you're eligible

Millions of iPhone owners in the US could soon be in line for a payment from Apple after the company agreed to settle a lawsuit over delayed Siri features.

The $250 million settlement could cover around 36 million eligible devices, with qualifying owners expected to receive at least $25 per device.

However, the exact amount could rise to as much as $95 depending on how many people submit valid claims.

Here’s how to check whether your Apple phone qualifies and how to file a claim before the deadline.

Why is Apple paying iPhone owners?

The gadget settlement comes from a class-action lawsuit over Apple’s advertising of its upgraded Siri and Apple Intelligence features.

Apple previewed a more personalized version of Siri in 2024, including features designed to understand personal context, see what was happening on an iPhone’s screen and interact more deeply with apps.

The lawsuit alleged that people who bought certain gadgets were led to expect these features would be available, but Apple later delayed the rollout.

Apple has denied the allegations and said the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing.

The company agreed to put $250 million into a settlement fund rather than continue with the costs and risks associated with a trial.

The settlement applies to people in the US who purchased an eligible iPhone in the US between June 10, 2024 and March 29, 2025, as long as the device was bought for personal or business use rather than resale.

The eligible models are the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, 16, 16e, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max.

How to check if you’re eligible and claim your money

The settlement website is now accepting claims, but there’s a relatively small window to submit one.

Eligible owners have until December 21, 2026 to complete and submit a claim. You can file a claim for each eligible device you purchased.

You’ll need to provide your contact information and information that confirms your ownership or purchase of the eligible iPhone.

The easiest way to find your iPhone’s serial number is to open Settings > General > About, where you’ll find it listed under ‘Serial Number’.

If you received a settlement notice by email or postcard, it may also include a claim ID and PIN to help you complete the process.

You can file an Apple iPhone settlement claim here.

The settlement provides a starting payment of $25 per eligible device, although that amount can be adjusted depending on the number of valid claims submitted and other factors.

The maximum possible payment is $95 per device, so the final amount won’t be known until the claims process has been completed.

There’s also a wait before anyone gets paid, because a final approval hearing is scheduled for February 24, 2027, and payments won’t be distributed until the settlement receives final approval and any potential appeals are dealt with.

So, if you bought one of the eligible iPhones during the specified period and live in the US, it could be worth checking the official settlement website before the December deadline.