You Can Now Claim Part of the $20 Million Apple Watch Settlement

If you owned an Apple Watch Series 0, 1, 2, or 3 and complained about a battery issue, you might be eligible for a small portion of a $20 million legal settlement.

Apple recently agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit, which alleged that the batteries in the earlier editions of the Apple Watch could expand and stop working. To get the money, you’ll need to have reported battery swelling issues to Apple between April 24, 2015, and Feb. 6, 2024, and you’ll also need to be based in the US. You’ll then need to submit a claim form via Apple’s web portal.

Unfortunately, the money involved may not be life-changing for most people. According to the lawsuit’s FAQ, the payout will likely range from $20 to $50 per device. You also don’t have forever to submit your claim. You’ll need to complete your online form before April 10.

Apple denied “wrongdoing and liability” regarding the battery issues and said it “specifically denies each of Plaintiffs’ contentions and claims” and that it was just settling to “avoid further costs of litigation.” By agreeing to accept the payment, you’ll also need to forgo your rights to further litigation around the issue.

But the recent Apple Watch settlement may seem fairly minor compared to one of the other payouts Apple has agreed to earlier this year. Earlier this month, Apple agreed to pay $95 million in another class-action lawsuit alleging its voice assistant Siri violated user privacy and engaged in the “unlawful and intentional recording of individuals’ confidential communications without their consent.” Apple did not admit wrongdoing.

Apple is also fighting yet another class-action lawsuit related to the Apple Watch. This time, the suit accuses Apple of failing to disclose its use of “forever chemicals,” a type of substance that takes a very long time to break down, in several of its straps—the Sport Band, Ocean Band, and Nike Sport Band.

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About Will McCurdy

Contributor

I’m a reporter covering weekend news. Before joining PCMag in 2024, I picked up bylines in BBC News, The Guardian, The Times of London, The Daily Beast, Vice, Slate, Fast Company, The Evening Standard, The i, TechRadar, and Decrypt Media.

I’ve been a PC gamer since you had to install games from multiple CD-ROMs by hand. As a reporter, I’m passionate about the intersection of tech and human lives. I’ve covered everything from crypto scandals to the art world, as well as conspiracy theories, UK politics, and Russia and foreign affairs.

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