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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1,336 thoughts onApple Accused of Intentionally Damaging iPhones with Update in Class Action Lawsuit
iPhone XS, iOS 14.7.1 update has made my Face ID completely stop working and it disabled it and the front camera portrait mode now does not work.
I had an iphone that went from 98% battery life to 85% max battery life within 48 hours after an update just shy of one year of owning it and I noticed that I had to have it on the charger way more often or else there was plummeting charge. For example i could go a whole day before hand without charging, but was having to do it twice or three times a day. I took it in for analysis by the apple store before my one year warranty was to expire to replace the battery. They told me their device checking software said it was just natural degradation from lots of usage and my charge and uncharge cycles were normal. I am a light iphone user. I pointed out to the tech that I had checked this just a few days prior and the drop happened because of the update. He said they hadn’t heard that problem before. A few months later the new iPhone update came out to re-adjust the max battery indicator and voila it jumped up to 90% max battery life.
My visit to the apple store is documented so I would be happy to join as main plaintiff in this case.
One more note. I nearly always keep my phone charged between 40-80% and even told this to the agent to maximize battery life per the apple documentation. There would be no normal explanation for this huge drop.
pls add me
I’ve been long suspecting Apple of those practices. Please add my name to the list.
add me
I have been having problems for two weeks with iPad shutting down and losing battery charge
Called Apple support twice. Was scheduled for a 120 mile round trip to nearest Apple store in Idaho. Finally waited for 12 hours for iPad to charge sufficiently to update software to 14.7. Things seem fine now but can also imagine that I would have been in for recommendation for new iPad.
I was told by second Apple support person that my battery power was 95 %. After she ran a diagnostic test over the phone
My iPhone is a brand new one and it’s happening to it. Please add me as well.
You can add me to this lawsuit as well. I updated my iPhone 11 Pro Max, which isn’t even a year old yet, to the newest IOS and it COMPLETELY CRASHED. It won’t even turn on, not even when attempting a hard reset. To make matters worse, I am a trader and invest in cryptos so my entire work life is on my phone. So not only has Apple and their predatory foolishness caused me to be out of a phone but they are also playing with my livelihood.
Add me to the list! I’m an Uber/Lyft driver and depend on my iPhone for business. After updating 14.6 on my 11 pro max my battery power shorten by half!
Both of my perfect iPhone XRs made auto-updates over the past 60 days. On 6/6/2021 and 7/18/2021 each completely died. I had to replace both phones and it cost me $1,000 for one new replacement (12) and one used XR. I called Apple and they deny the iOS updates are putting malware into the phones. Go to Apple.com/feedback to file a grievance.