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
Having battery problems , sporadic shut downs and major over heating biting my hands or ears if talking .
Phone is a year old . Previous Apple phones battery died necessitated an immediate purchase .
I want to be included
My iPhone 10 and my sons iPhone 8 suddenly stopped working at the same time… SMH… I am still fronting the cost of the 10! I had to have working phones, so i had to upgrade to the 11 and he 12… now paying the cost of all 3x phones! Apple is ripping people off!
Yes please add me! I honestly thought all of a sudden my battery just went to shit. But then I got an iPhone 12 MAX in Late March early April and my battery doesn’t last more than 3-4 hours and that’s being generous it also depends on what I’m doing on it. It’s pathetic my older phone the XE won’t even last thirty minutes without being on the charger now so I basically just keep it plugged in most of the day now. I’ve always loved iPhone but now IDK.. I’m not going to pay $900 for a phone that only works the way it should for like a month and then who knows? Every day is a surprise. Not satisfied ?
Since the last update in early June, my Iphone 11 is slow and battery life is less than 6 hours. Please add me
Just can’t trust big business anymore
I am having this issue with my iPhone 11! This is happening to my husbands iPhone 11 also! PLEASE ADD ME ASAP!
I have been having issues with Apple updates since the iPhone 7 and they continue to worsen. Now my new iPhone 12 Pro Max is worse. Not sure how my new iphone battery can last almost 3 days with my usage and after the updates I’ve run, I don’t even get 10 hours of use in a full charge with the same usage. I have to reboot my phone several times a day for it to perform at all. I loose important calls and messages due to some volume loss issues. I am to the point if switching to Android!! PLEASE ADD ME TO THE LIST.
Add me please.
Iphone 11XR
Oh my battery was draining constantly it seems like I am forever charging my phone
I told my daughter I was going to need a new battery and then I stumble across this hi section please add me
Please add me my battery on my current phone will not even hold a charge all day and the phone was just paid off right before the updatel.
I have an iphone 12 mini….and since updating my phone, the battery is draining and not lasting as long as it did before the update, and it is sticking. I click on something and I have to hit it numerous times in order to get the icon that I want. Please add me to this case!!
After update phone it will not hold a charge. Battery died within 4 to 6 hours. Apps will not open and text messages will not go until I clear some old ones.
I’ve notice this problem before with other updates but not as bad as the most recent updates.