Apple Settles 'Batterygate' Issue With $500 Million: How To Get Your Share

Apple agreed earlier this year to settle a lawsuit accusing it of throttling certain older iPhone models. The settlement involves the company paying up to $500 million, to be divided among eligible iPhone users who file a claim within a prescribed period of time.

According to MacRumors, a new website dedicated to the settlement of the so-called “Batterygate” scandal is now up. The website invites U.S.-based consumers who owned particular iPhone models and updated them to specific iOS versions during a certain period of time to file a claim to receive about $25 as a settlement for the said issue.

Per the website, set in place by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, eligible iPhone owners include the following:

• U.S.-based owner of an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, and/or iPhone SE that ran iOS 10.2.1 or later before Dec. 21, 2017
• U.S.-based owner of an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus handset that ran iOS 11.2 or later before Dec. 21, 2017

The website explicitly states that in addition to these, the iPhone owner must claim to have “experienced diminished performance” on their device.

The website said that those who want to file a claim should do so on or before Oct. 6. Eligible iPhone owners can file claims online or via the mail.

Those who file a claim should know that the actual amount they will receive as settlement varies on the number of people who will file claims. According to the website, Apple will “make a minimum, non-reversionary payment of $310,000,000 and a maximum payment of up to $500,000,000, depending on the number of claims submitted.”

In addition, those who do file a claim should not expect to receive the amount right after Oct. 6. The website stated that there will be a “fairness hearing” scheduled for Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. PST. The court will decide whether to approve the settlement or not during this hearing.

Those who don't want to receive $25 but instead want to personally sue Apple for the throttling issue may not file a claim and exclude themselves from the settlement. Those who want to speak at the final hearing may object to the settlement.