Apple has agreed to pay $113 million to settle claims that it intentionally reduced iPhone performance due to a battery issue the company hid from consumers.
The money will go to 33 states and the District of Columbia, which alleged Apple throttled its iPhones starting in 2016, slowing down older iPhone models in an attempt to get users to buy newer models, according to a BBC report.
The scandal, which came to be known as “batterygate,” affected millions of iPhone 6, 7 and SE users.
Instead of disclosing issues with unexpected power-offs or allowing the batteries to be replaced, the states alleged, Apple chose to “cover up” the issues via a software update.
That iOS update allegedly limited the devices’ hardware performance in such a way that the phones “could not demand the power levels that were exceeding the abilities of problem batteries” and therefore causing the power-offs.
While Apple initially said the power-off issue wouldn’t affect iPhone 8 or later models, the lawsuit said, “the company eventually conceded that it would need to throttle those devices, as well,” meaning the problem was not limited to a few phones, but rather was “endemic to all iPhones.”
The $113 million deal with the states is separate from a class action settlement reached in March, in which Apple agreed to pay the affected iPhone owners as much as $500 million.
While Apple acknowledged one of its iOS updates reduced power demands after researchers detected slowdowns in 2017, the BBC reported, the company denies the allegations that the move was made for financial reasons.
In addition to paying the $113 million, Apple has agreed to a number of other terms in the iPhone battery life settlement.
The company will be required to maintain a webpage that provides consumers with clear information about lithium-ion batteries, as well as “Performance Management” and unexpected shutdowns, the judgment says. The site will also explain how consumers can maximize their phone’s battery life and describe how performance management affects iPhone battery life.
“Performance management” refers to functionality introduced in iOS 10.2.1 for managing the relevant iPhones’ performance “to match the peak power delivery of lithium-ion batteries,” according to the judgment.
In the event a future iOS update changes the effects of performance management, Apple is required to notify its customers of those changes in the update’s installation notes.
Apple also is required to provide consumers with information about the battery through the iPhone’s settings menu.
This information is to include the battery’s maximum capacity and performance capability, and will notify the user of the option to service the battery if they notice a decline in the iPhone battery life.
The attorney general for Arizona, the state that led the case, will receive $5,009,240.97, according to the judgment. The money is to be used for reimbursing attorneys’ fees and other investigation costs, distribution to appropriate “consumer protection enforcement funds,” or “any other lawful purpose” at the discretion of the Arizona attorney general.
The remainder of the $113 million will “be apportioned amongst the Attorneys General at their sole discretion.”
“Apple knowingly misled consumers and instead of disclosing the issue or even allowing simple battery replacements[;] Apple instead chose to implement a ‘fix’ that only created further issues for users and allowed the company to reap financial rewards of that deceit,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said, according to NBC25. “I am grateful this resolution seeks to hold Apple accountable for its actions and requires the company to take measures to avoid this misleading practice going forward.”
Michigan is expected to receive more than $2.6 million from the settlement, NBC25 reported.
Apple has admitted no liability in this case, and both parties have waived their right to an appeal, the judgment said.
“Big Tech companies must stop manipulating consumers and tell them the whole truth about their practices and products,” Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich said in a press release. “I’m committed to holding these goliath technology companies accountable when they conceal important information from users.”
Did you own one of the affected iPhone models? Did you experience problems with iPhone battery life? Let us know in the comments below.
The plaintiff is represented by Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich.
The iPhone Battery Life Lawsuit is State of Arizona v. Apple Inc., Case No. unknown, in the Superior Court of the State of Arizona, in and for the County of Maricopa.
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150 Comments
I have had the 6, 6plus and the 7. Same issues. Please add me
I own an Iphone 6. The battery does not hold a charge for long at all.
Add me for my daughter i6
Please add me.
Add me, please.
2 I phone 7 in Arizona. Please add me.
I’ve had 2 IPhone 6’s. Replaced the first one because battery would go dead in a very short period of time. Replacement IPhone 6 did the same thing! Please add me!
Add me Iphone 7
I had the iPhone 7
we have an iPhone 6 now
Add me. I have an iPhone 7 and so did my son
Add me please.
Add me please
Please add me
Please add me
Same, I thought was just my iPhone 😠! Add me please!!!
I had 3 Iphone 6 and ALL had to be replaced Please add me.
I have had 3 iPhone 6’s between myself and my children and the battery life on them just sucked. The phones have had to be replaced because they could barely function 3 hours without a re-charge. My iPhone 11 is almost as bad!!
Please add me
Please add me. I have had two different iPhone 6 that have had awful battery life and were ultimately replaced.
I’ve had problems with the older 6 and 7, now using an iPhone 8 and it’s even worse!
Please add me
I had a iPhone 7 and the battery went completely dead then never turned back on I lost all pics etc. now I have another iPhone 7 (I’m on prepaid so I can’t pay outright for a high dollar phone) it will shut off at 30% battery life then come back on. It will shut completely down at 9%
Add me
Add me
Please add me
Same
I thought there was a deadline date of October 6, 2020 to submit claim to be part of this settlement, was that extended?
Please add me to this, I’ve had to replace my phone & battery because of this!
I’ve had problems with the older 6 and 7, now using an iPhone 8 and it’s even worse!
Please add me.
Please add me I have iPhone 6
I have 2 iPhone 6 and 6plus … both have battery issues and both experienced a total black out because could not update … had to reprogram them .. but still has issues
Please add me.
Please add me I four iPhone SE in my household. All of which only have about a 3.5 to 4 hr battery life daily. Very embarrassing
Please add me
Add me please
Add me, I’m on my second phone and it’s doing the same thing
When will we (the consumers who put in out claim on time) receive our checks in the mail?
I still have an iphone SE that didn’t have much value and wouldn’t turn on. I purchased 3 iphone 7’s but these were turned back to Verizon for credit on an upgrade. Please add me.
I use to own a SE
But still own 6 7 and 7plus
Please add me
Add me
I have an iPhone 7 and had to get a new battery.
I have two 6S iPhones. Both of which are losing battery power very quickly.
Yes please add me to your list!
Add me
Yes I have had 3 different IPhones and the batteries gets really hot , even if it’s not charging. Please add me and my husband, because he has had 3 iPhones as well. Since 2015.
Even the IPhone X gets really hot and I just got the 12 so I hope that this one is different. My husband had the 11.
I have had an Iphone since roughly 2009 and every Iphone that I have had, I have had to upgrade to the next Iphone bc of the phone either slowing down tremendously, the battery life not sustaining or updates no longer available on a particular version. In 2013 when I got married, this went from one Iphone having these issues to two Iphones having these issues. One Iphone had Facetime completely stop working and I have no idea why. My last Iphone 6S, I think, ended up having issues with so many of the functions from people not being able to hear me and vice versa, to the phone getting so hot when in use that I would have to shut it down to cool off. My new Iphone, an Iphone 7 is having the same issue getting hot and I’ve only had it for roughly 3 -4 months. I tried switching to an Android and couldn’t adjust so switched back to the iphone. Next phone upgrade, 2 year wait unfortunately, will more than likely be a different phone this time. Lesson learned.
Please add me!!
Add me
Add me
I’ve had the problem with an iPhone 6, iPhone 7, and my NEW iPhone 11 purchased in March 2920.
Please add me
I owned an IPhone SE and suffered significant battery life reduction. Please add me to this.
Please add me I have had to send three back and they are junk
I finally gave up on my iPhone 7 and bought a new phone because the combination of the battery life and slowing down has made the phone unusable. Please add me!
I do still have the old phone and the serial and IMEI numbers.
I had battery issues with my IPhone 6. Had to purchase new phone. Please add me.
Had so many battery problems please add me
Add me please and thank you
I have the iPhone 7 Plus and have battery problems
Add me . I have a iphone 7Plus and having battery problems
I had the iPhone 6, when I got these problems, I was given the iPhone 7. It had the same issues, please add me so I can find out where to sign up for this and when
Add me
Add me please. Thank you
Add me please!
Add me
Add me
Add me
Do many battery problems. Add me.
I had a ton of problems with my iPhone 7, so add me please.
Please add
Please add me
Add me please
Add me please
Add me
Add me. We had this problem with our phones also.
I had 3 iPhone 7+’s and all 3 had issues!! I now have a 11 and the battery is crap!! Please add me!
Add me please. My husband and I both had these apple and we still have the battery issues.
Add me. Why I switched… Apple even gave my battery away
Please add me to this class action against APPLE IPHONE case NBC25
Why are 5s not included? Spent $75 for a replacement battery because phone was slowing.
My husband and I both had these apple iPhones. We still have had every iPhone since then.
Add me, iPhone 6s Plus for 8 years been dealing with this issue.
Yes and still have battery issues with my SE phone.
Have 6s that stopped using because of poor battery life. Still have phones(wife also had one) same problem. Apple changed batteries at a reduced rate-did not help.
Add me
I have a 6s plus and my phones battery life is just horrible and has been since over almost 3 years. I heard about this on my local news channel and had to find this website for complaint right away. Please at me to this list.
Please add me
No cash for the peon citizens. All the cash to the States Attorney Generals. You get screwed by big tech again.
I have an Iphone SE and would like to join
Add me I had every iPhone from 4 to 7
Add me please. I currently use the I6 and the battery doesn’t even last 6 hours. Even less if I am playing a game or listening to music
My battery never lasted longer than ! day before I had to recharge. I still have that issue only now its every 6 hours of use and I have an Apple phone 6 Please keep me on the list. I want to be part of the class acation.
My family experienced this – 4 of us.
This happened to me. Please add me
Yes I had the phone and had to purchase a new phone
I had the 6 and had to go to a 8 shortly after my contract was up add me
This has definitely happened to me! I had to purchase a IPhone 8 as well
Please add me
Please add me to this suit. I’ve been calling my carrier complaining about issues with my phone / service for months. I now have the iPhone Xr. Switched from iPhone 6s plus thinking the issue would be resolved
Add me. I have had every iPhone since 4
Add me
Add me please
Add me, please
Add me please. I have had every iPhone since the 3s.
Owned a 4S and 6splus
Add me please. I have had every iPhone since the 3s.
Yes we had the phones
I have been saying this for years! They force you to upgrade even when you’re not interested! I’ve had the iPhone 6, 7, 8 & 10 – ALL OF THEM experienced battery life problems. Please Add me
I am not sure if I have one of the affected phones. But my battery has been messed up for a long time. I would like to be added.
I had this issue with several phones
Add me please. Have 2 iPhone 7’s.
Add me
Add me please
I had an IPhone 6. Finally bailed to Samsung as my phone became a nightmare to use. Please add me.
Add me please.
Add me iPhone 5 6
Hey yes I’ve been affected add me please
Add me
Add me please I have I phone 6 and 7 had to buy back up batteries phone has to be charged within a few hours
I have an iPhone 7. Arkansas
Add me please. I had the 5s, 7, and 8. All of them the battery started to give me problems
Add me.
Add me please, my IPhone 7’s battery is horrible. Only lasts 2hrs max before needing to be charged.
I would like information on how to be included in this. I bought my daughter one of these phones about a year ago and I’m now having to shell out another $350 to replace it because of this issue.
Add me please
I have the 6plus add me
Add to settlement please. Had this exact problem. Shame on Apple! 😡
Yes add me
Please Add me, my 6 plus held no battery and after the “fix” sill not working
Please add me. I’ve bought iPhones multiple times and the battery is always low. I have to carry a charger wherever I go…very inconvenient and time consuming.
Please add me
Please add me also please. I was definitely affected when I had my iPhone 7.
Add me please.I’’m having the battery issue with my iPhone 7 Plus.Thanks!
Please add me.
Hell yes ! 7 / 7plus / 6 on down , sign me up
Add me
Add me please,my fiancé and I have had problems with the battery getting real hot and draining really fast after being charged and not even used.
Add me please my fiancé and I have the 6s and it’s terrible .Battery life is awful and we’ve had both but problems with it.
Add me please
Add me
I had a 5s that I had to charge nonstop. I finally upgraded to an iPhone 7 and the battery also needs to be charged at all times. Thank You.
I have an iPhone 8 and my battery don’t last at all I can charge my phone and within 20 min my phone be on 30%
Add me plz
I experienced the same battery issues with my iPhone 6 trying to keep it for a while until forced to get a new phone due to battery drain , then getting the iphone X. These devices are to expensive to have to replace/forced to due to their iOS software manipulation updates.
We’ve also experienced batteries getting hot and draining too fast. I have a family plan and had 4 iPhone 6’s, 4 iPhone 7’s and now 4 iPhone 11’s.
My phone’s battery was always dying. Apple wanted me to buy another battery. Add me to lawsuit.
Add me please
Yes I owned one of the Apple phones listed. I am so happy to have come across this article. Please add me to the class action suit.
I’ve had problems with the se model and now the 8
Omgosh I’ve gotten 3 phones this year the iPhone 6 the iPhone 7plus and now the iPhone se. one of the biggest reasons I got newer phones is the battery life was terrible but also the phones got super slow. So I got the se and I’m not happy still. It’s still very slow. Please add me
My battery stated acting funny and they told me I needed a whole new battery I got it at the Apple store in King of Prussia store in Pa.
I have iPhone 7 Plus. My cell gets really hot around the battery and better life is horrible. Please add me
Hi I’ve owned an iPhone 6 and iPhone 8 and now have the iPhone 11. There was always an issue with battery life in the past. I would delete and exit all apps that may be running and draining the batteries but it was still draining at an alarming rate.