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A consumer says that Apple has used software updates, including iOS 14.5, 14.5.1, and 14.6, to damage iPhone models 11, 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max in a class action lawsuit filed Tuesday.
Lead plaintiff Andrew Crittenden seeks to represent iPhone owners nationwide in a class action lawsuit filed in California federal court. Crittenden says that updates to certain iPhones have damaged their processing speeds and causes their batteries to drain faster. He accuses Apple of releasing the updates, knowing they will cause damage.
“This case is about knowing and intentional damage inflicted by Apple through software updates, including (but not limited to) to iPhone models 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max,” states the class action lawsuit.
Crittenden, a California resident, says he owns an Apple iPhone Pro Max. He says that he updated his mobile operating system, called “iOS,” as soon as the software became available. Crittenden says that Apple encourages users to update their iPhones to the latest operating system to help keep their devices secure; however, he says that after he updated his iPhone, he experienced slower performance and poor battery life.
Crittenden says that he is not alone and that within days of the Apple iPhone update being released, consumers complained of degraded performance and battery problems.
The class action lawsuit alleges that Apple knows the iOS update will result in problems for current iPhone users. In fact, the company relies on these problems, called “throttling,” in order to encourage consumers to purchase new and ever-more expensive iPhones.
The plaintiff accuses the tech giant of failing to acknowledge the problem even in the face of thousands of complaints by iPhone users who say that updates damaged their smartphones. Crittenden claims that it is in Apple’s own interest not to inform users that their devices will suffer if they download recommended updates.
Instead, claims the class action lawsuit, Apple lets users believe that poor battery life and failing performance is the natural result of an aging iPhone.
“Moreover, degrading device performance ahead of product launches may also allow Apple to drum up demand for faster phones with longer battery life. New iPhone models are typically launched every fall,” points out the complaint.
Apple has been accused of using updates to throttle older iPhones before. Several years ago, the company faced a number of throttling class action lawsuits after its iOS 11 update allegedly damaged the performance of smartphones and harmed battery life.
Crittenden wants to represent a nationwide Class of consumers who experienced problems with their iPhone 8 through the newest model after downloading iOS 14.5, iOS 14.5.1, or iOS 14.6. He accuses Apple of violating federal computer fraud laws, California consumer protection laws, and meddling with consumers’ iPhones.
The class action lawsuit wants Apple to pay damages, court, and attorney fees, as well as a court order stopping the company from releasing future harmful iOS updates.
Have you had trouble with your Apple iPhone update? We want to hear from you! Tell us about your experience in the comment section below!
The plaintiff is represented by Alex R. Straus of Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman, PLLC.
The Apple iPhone Update Class Action Lawsuit is Crittenden v. Apple, Inc., Case No. 5:21-cv-04322 in the U.S. District Court Northern District of California San Jose Division.
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1,330 thoughts onApple Accused of Intentionally Damaging iPhones with Update in Class Action Lawsuit
My laptop, iPad, and phone are not able to update to the latest software which renders them obsolete!!! NONE OF MY APPS WORK AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY NEW ONES SINCE I AM UNEMPLOYED!!! PLEASE APPLE THANK ME FOR MY SERVICE!!!!
Yes, i have the iphone 12 and everytime it updates it messes something up and the phone has issues. it is to the point that i dont let it update. but the phone is freezing up now and not sending sms messages. calling in to trouble shoot this and they walk me thru steps but nothing changes or are fixed. i just filed a claim with the insurance cause the phone is now hot to the touch after being on the charger for seconds. this is upsetting that a phone that is over 1200$ is malfunctioning and i cant get it fixed with out having to pay out of my pockets for something i didn’t broke. and it seems all classaction law suits pay out penny on the dollar, leaving you with having to purchase another phone or just risk using the one you have cause this phone is malfunctioning. its sad i take care of my phone and it looks new.
This has happened to all the IPhones on my account (5) almost make you not want to do the updates.
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I recently updated my iPhone 12 too and then I suddenly started having dropped calls. I could not hear the other person on the other end. My call would just go dead and then My phone would go into SOS mode. My kids said turn it off and on so I did but it’s still happening now at least every other day! So frustrating! My text messages were not going through to the other person either. 😑
I just updated my iPhone two days ago. Immediately after the update was complete my phone no longer is able to connect to my cellular carrier. So no texts or calls for two days now! I went into my carrier(Verizon) and upon examining my phone they said it was an apple issue. So I went into the Genius Bar at the Apple Store and they ran a diagnostics on my phone. They said the battery is depleting and couldn’t really explain how or why my phone was no longer connecting to cellular. They essentially said my phone needed to be replaced entirely. Two days ago my phone was working perfectly fine prior to this update. I am so angry and done with Apple products. So now I have to go out and buy a new phone all because I updated mine smdh
My iphone was working 100% perfectly Normal brand new screen brand new battery receipt to prove that. After I updated NOW my phones screen is not broken but randomly has lines going up down it and it literally freezes while I am doing anything It’s so funny that this class action lawsuit it’s almost 3 years old now and I’m just now seeing it the end of 2023
Please add my name for your updates. I’ve always owned Apple iPhones. Thank you.