Apple settles Siri lawsuit for $250 million

Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to resolve a class action lawsuit concerning the promotion of Siri features.

The settlement stems from allegations that the company advertised Apple Intelligence capabilities for the iPhone 16 in 2024 that were not available when the phones reached the market. Plaintiffs argued that this marketing influenced purchase decisions. Apple accepted the terms without admitting fault to avoid the costs and risks of a trial.

Consumers who purchased specific iPhone 15 and 16 models in the United States between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025, are eligible to file a claim. The covered devices are the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16e, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Claimants must be the original purchasers and must have bought the device for personal or business use, not for resale. They must also confirm that they expected to receive the specific Siri features but did not.

Each approved claim will receive an initial payment of $25. This amount may increase to a maximum of $95 per device, depending on the total number of valid claims and other authorized expenses. The final payout is not fixed because the $250 million fund also covers administrative costs, taxes, and legal fees. The settlement administrator has not yet determined the exact amount for each participant.

Ryan Clarkson, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, told CBS News that the fund represents the largest misleading advertising settlement in history. Apple told Associated Press that it resolved the matter to focus on offering innovative products and services to users. The company maintained that it had not committed any irregularities.

Interested consumers must submit their claims through the official portal at SmartphoneAISettlement.com. The deadline to file is December 21, 2026. To complete the process, users must provide personal contact information, identify the eligible iPhone using its serial number, and complete declarations regarding their purchase and expectations for Siri features. Those who bought multiple eligible devices must file a separate form for each one.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California will hold a final approval hearing on February 24, 2027. Judge Noël Wise will determine if the agreement meets the conditions for final approval. The settlement administrator noted that payments will be processed quickly if no appeals are filed. Currently, there is no confirmed date for when participants will receive their funds. Questions regarding the process can be directed to the settlement administrator at 1-888-988-8945.