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
Please add me. After this latest update my phone XR has been doing crazy stuff. Calls going straight to voicemail, not ringing etc
Absolutely Could not agree more, I thought I was the only one. Ever since I’ve done the last two updates, my iPhone 8 Plus has been draining the battery mysteriously fast I’m talking my full battery lasts about two hours even if I’m not using it. Also I have to shut off my phone and trying it back on again about 8 to 10 times a day due to a little spinning circle that never stops coming back on the top left-hand corner of my phone. That’s never happened before the 2 updates were installed & it is my belief this is why the battery is draining it should not be spinning I have nothing open at all and it’s still spinning spinning spinning!!!! I have to power down my phone and turn it back on and it will stop for a little while and the spinning will go away but once I leave my phone on for about an hour or so the spinning circle comes back and makes my battery drain much faster. something needs to be done. There’s a multi billion dollar corporation that is stressing people that cannot afford the stress no I can’t afford to buy a new iPhone like myself. My phone was just fine before no battery draining a little mysterious spinning circle on the top coming back when it feels like it before the last two updates I wish I could uninstall the updates but if I do then I cannot access some of my apps it’s like they force you to it’s all their updates in order to use your phone properly it is wrong and malicious!!!!!
Please add me!
I have am iPhone 11 and always do the updates. I was telling my son the other day how BAD my cell is working: doesn’t hold charge, battery drains fast, freezes, can’t leave house without car cell charger, and how I wish I could trade it in. I assumed it was this model but now know it’s the updates.
Honestly, my iPad is a nightmare also since updates, -crashes all the time, doesn’t properly charge, doesn’t stay charged, freezes. I’m elderly and don’t play games nor stream so no reason for this on my iPhone nor iPad
iPhone 8 here and have constant
Issues with battery and
Phone freezing. Add me to the list.
I had the iPhone 10 & it kept freezing on me
Add me too!! After my update calls drop and I live on my charger my phone dies before the day is over… like 3-4 hours and it’s dead… without sing it!
iPhone 11
Have 3 iPhone 12. And was thinking it was our new phone provider ATT that was messing up our phones. But definitely notice freezing of apps and poor battery. We had a better phones before all this. We’re about to go back to Verizon thinkin is was all ATT issues. But I’m sure it was these updates that slowed things down. Please add me.
I have an iPhone 12 mini and I’ve experienced my phone acting kind of strange, not running as fast, and definitely the battery dieing faster
Since updating my battery is draining fast. I have Iphone 11 running newest update. Please add me.
Please add me we have 2 iPhone XR & 2 iPhone 11 experiencing so many issues since these updates. Also noticed on previous iPhones too.
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