Did you buy a shiny new iPhone expecting a super-smart Siri, only to feel like Apple ghosted you on those big AI promises? Well, your patience might finally yield a decent little cash payout.
Apple has officially agreed to shell out $250 million to wrap up a massive false-advertising class action lawsuit.
Apple overplayed its hand
Plaintiffs argued that Apple hyped up game-changing personal context features for Siri in early marketing—think of an assistant that knew your mom’s flight details straight out of your Messages—only to delay the launch. The plaintiff claimed what Apple did with the delay amounted to false advertising.
Apple denies doing anything wrong, but the tech giant is settling to skip the courtroom drama.
The best part? The official claims portal (SmartphoneAISettlement.com) is officially open, and you might have some free money waiting.
“The $250 million settlement fund represents the largest false advertising settlement in history,” said Ryan Clarkson, co-lead counsel on the class-action lawsuit, in an email to CBS News.
Who gets a piece of the pie?
To qualify, you must reside in the U.S. and have bought an eligible iPhone for personal or professional use between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025.
Check your pockets or desk drawer for these specific devices:
- iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, or iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e
How much cash are we talking about?
The base payout starts at $25 per eligible device. However, depending on how many people actually end up filing claims, that check could swell all the way up to $95.
If you own more than one eligible device, you will need to file a separate claim form for each serial number you have.
Here’s how to claim your cash
Claiming your slice is super simple:
- Head over to SmartphoneAISettlement.com before the deadline on December 21, 2026.
- Grab your device’s serial number (you can find it in Settings > General > About) or use your Apple Account email and phone number.
- Choose how you want to get paid: Venmo, PayPal, direct deposit, or a good old-fashioned paper check.
Keep in mind you won’t see this cash overnight. A final approval hearing is set for February 24, 2027, so expect those payments to land sometime later next year.