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.
Don’t Miss Out!
Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
1,336 thoughts onApple Accused of Intentionally Damaging iPhones with Update in Class Action Lawsuit
I had an iphone seem like Everytime a new phone come out phone run slower and slower
Please add me.
Add me
Add me
I have an iPhone 11 Pro Max. With each Apple update, it is becoming less and less usable. Between dropped calls, no signal, inability to even use WiFi, etc. I have severe difficulties being able to use it for calling or receiving calls, difficulty sending and receiving texts, difficulty using apps, etc. Even with constant reboots, the signal and usage is minimal. For a phone that cost me as much as an iPad, it is horrible and getting worse with each update. I could not even use my navigation on a recent trip and had to purchase Wi-Fi for my vehicle after becoming lost without the ability to navigate. I am seriously debating leaving Apple products entirely.
After spending almost $1,200 for an iPhone 11, it died after 14 months, just past the warranty. It suddenly started heating up and would not charge or start. I had recently downloaded the latest update. After waiting in the crowded store almost 2 hours to determine the problem, the Apple employee told me that the phone was dead and I needed to purchase a new one.
I have a IPhone 7 Plus and since the 14.7.1 update it is having all kinds of problems. My camera went black on me, my FaceTime won’t work, my phone freezes up and I can not open anything in my phone or even answer my phone when this happens. I have been on the phone with Apple several times. We have done 3 restores and a hard reset and nothing changes. I got an appointment through Apple at the Best Buy in Ocala, Fl and they said they needed to replace the camera for me and it would cost $80.00. I said I would do that if everything else would work but of course I had to pay up front. They also did another restore first which didn’t fix anything. They said that if it was a software problem the restore would fix it and since it didn’t fix it that it would be a hardware problem. I told them of all the complaints on the internet but they said they haven’t been told that it was a problem so I would just need to buy a new phone. I am a caregiver and on a retired income so that I would not be able to buy a new one.
I have the 6 plus, 7 plus and now the 11 pro i haven’t seen a phone with more problems then the 11 pro. i have to put it off an on airplane mode to get data to work. I have dropped calls all hours of the day. After talking to my service provider i was informed that alot of this is due to most company’s going to the 5g network an if your current phone dont have a 5g sims in it it wont work on the network at all. I dont know how true that is other then my husband switched from one 6plus to another an he had to wait for the new sims to come in before he could use it.
But, even with getting the new 5g sims in my phone its still having the data connection issues. As well as the battery is dead within a couple hours of use.
IPhone 7 is not working after telling to update OS
I had an Apple IPhone 8. Went to update the iOS 11 update, and my phone would no longer work. Took my phone to T-Mobile and the tech/rep said that Apple phases the older iPhones out, by not allowing the iPhones to update iOS versions. After I explained it was unfair and highly unprofessional. The Rep said I would have to purchase a new phone and that they could not fix my Apple iPhone 8. Spent hundreds of dollars and also had to resign a new contract