Apple is once again making headlines—this time not for a new iPhone or product launch, but because it’s paying out money to its customers. The tech giant has agreed to pay a total of $95 million as part of a class action lawsuit settlement, and you may be eligible to claim around $100. Here’s everything you need to know—who’s eligible, how to claim, and when the payments are coming.
Why Is Apple Paying This Settlement?
This payout comes from a class action lawsuit against Apple related to AppleCare and AppleCare+ service plans. According to the lawsuit, when people paid for these extended warranty services, they expected to get new Apple devices or parts as replacements. But in many cases, Apple provided refurbished products instead.
The lawsuit claimed that giving refurbished items instead of new ones was a violation of the warranty policy and not what the customers had paid for.
While Apple has denied any wrongdoing, the company has agreed to settle the lawsuit for $95 million to avoid a long court battle.
Who Is Eligible for the Payment?
You may be eligible to receive money from this settlement if you meet the following conditions:
- You bought AppleCare or AppleCare+ in the United States.
- You received a replacement device between July 20, 2012, and September 30, 2021.
- The replacement device was refurbished and not new.
If you fit into this group, you do not need to do anything to get your payment. Eligible customers were already contacted by email or postal mail by the settlement administrator.
How Much Money Will You Get?
According to the settlement website, eligible users will receive an average payment of around $100. The actual amount could be slightly more or less depending on how many people are eligible and how many claims are processed.
The total settlement pool is $95 million, and after subtracting legal and administrative fees, the rest will be distributed among all eligible users.
When Will the Apple Payments Be Made?
The final approval for the settlement was granted in April 2024. Now, the settlement administrator is in the process of preparing payments. Most users are expected to receive their funds by mid to late 2025, depending on how quickly the processing happens.
Payments may be made through check, PayPal, Venmo, or direct deposit, depending on what information the user provided.
If you were contacted by the administrator and confirmed your information, you can just wait for the payment.
How to Check Your Payment Status
If you think you’re eligible but haven’t received any message, you can still check:
- Visit the official settlement website: www.replacementdevicelawsuit.com
- Use the contact form or helpline number to ask about your eligibility.
- You may need to provide proof of purchase or repair records to support your case.
Be careful of scam websites or emails pretending to offer claims. Only trust the official site and communications from the authorized settlement administrator.
Why This Matters
This case is a reminder that even big companies like Apple can be held accountable when they don’t meet customer expectations. It also shows the power of class action lawsuits, where a group of people can come together to get justice.
If you’re part of this group, it’s good news—you’ll be getting money back for something you probably forgot about. It’s like a surprise cashback for being a loyal customer.
So, if you got your iPhone or iPad replaced in the last decade through AppleCare, you might soon receive a $100 payout—without doing much.