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
Same issue with both myself and my sister. Noticed both iPhones (both have different models even) have batteries drained so quicker now. Please add. Thank you.
Xr phones here
Many issues!
Please add
My daughter, my best friend and I all have an IPhone 11 and have experienced the same issues.
Pls add me
I had the same issues on my I phone 12. I purchased one for me and my granddaughter and this phone is JUNK!! Everything goes wrong with it after an update!! It will freeze, won’t dial out etc I hate this Apple phone there quality has really gone to the sewage!!
I called there service technician and this woman did not help me and was very rude!! I ask questions and she kept repeating the same thing over and over as if she was reading a script!!
We are a family of 4 and all have iPhones, and yes they throttle bad!! The older models (6s+) especially and now my 11 has been wonky since the last two updates. Volume super low with case on only good while on speaker phone or if I have my earbuds in. Please add me to this lawsuit if possible
Having similar issues. Battery dies quickly, screen freezes, slow processing….please add me
Please add me for my iPhone 11. Experiencing these problems mentioned after updates.
Add me in every apple phone has done this
Same! Please add me.
Add me! Same issues as listed above.
every iphone i’ve had does this after updates. or the battery starts draining, which is the case with my current iphone 11. it would last over a day and now it barely goes 10 hours before i have to charge it. i’m doing nothing different than i was before in terms of usage.