Apple's $250M Siri settlement: How to claim up to $95

If you bought one of Apple's AI-ready iPhones because you expected the smarter Siri Apple had been talking about, check when you purchased it. You could have some money coming your way. A proposed $250 million Apple Siri settlement now has an open claims process for qualifying iPhone owners.

The case centers on allegations that consumers bought certain iPhones expecting Siri features powered by Apple Intelligence that they did not receive during the period covered by the lawsuit. Apple denies the allegations and says it did nothing improper or unlawful.

The amount may sound small next to the price of a new iPhone, but filing a claim could put as much as $95 per eligible device back in your pocket. There are a few important catches, though, including exactly which iPhone you bought and when you bought it.

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The lawsuit is called Landsheft, et al. v. Apple Inc. and is pending in federal court in Northern California. The plaintiffs alleged that Apple promoted certain Siri features powered by Apple Intelligence, leading buyers to expect capabilities that were not delivered during the class period. Apple denies those allegations. The company agreed to put $250 million into a settlement fund rather than continue litigating the case. The agreement received preliminary court approval on July 17, 2026. The court has scheduled a final approval hearing for Feb. 24, 2027. That timing is especially interesting because Apple finally began rolling out its long-awaited Siri AI beta with iOS 27 in September 2026.

The updated Siri can use personal context from information on your device, handle follow-up questions and take more actions inside supported apps. We recently took a closer look at iOS 27 and the new Siri AI features.

The settlement covers seven models: iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16e, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The regular iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are excluded. Owning one of those eligible models alone does not qualify you. You must be the original purchaser and live in the United States. You also must have purchased the phone in the United States between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. The purchase had to be for personal or business use rather than resale. There is another important requirement. When you submit the claim, you must confirm that you expected to receive certain Siri Apple Intelligence features when you bought the device and did not receive those features as expected. Businesses can qualify, too. The official settlement site has separate filing options for individuals and organizations that purchased eligible devices for business use.

The settlement sets the payment at $25 per eligible device, but the final amount can change. If fewer valid claims come in, the payment may increase to as much as $95 per eligible device. If more claims come in, the payment can fall below $25. Administrative costs, approved attorneys' fees and other court-approved expenses also come out of the $250 million fund. You can submit a claim for each eligible device you purchased. That could make the payout more meaningful for someone who bought multiple qualifying iPhones during the class period. However, nobody knows the final payment yet. The settlement administrator has to count and validate the claims before that figure can be determined.

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The claims period officially opened on Sept. 21, 2026. You can file through the official Smartphone AI Settlement website at smartphoneaisettlement.com. The deadline is Dec. 21, 2026. The claim form asks for your contact information and information that can confirm your eligible purchase or ownership. You also need to certify that you expected the covered Siri Apple Intelligence features when you purchased your iPhone and did not receive them as expected. I would have your iPhone's serial number handy before you start. On your iPhone, open Settings, tap General, then tap About. Your serial number appears near the top of that screen. You can press and hold it to copy it. The settlement site also says you may find the serial number on the phone's original packaging or purchase documentation.

The official site says people who received an email or postcard can file a claim. It also says people who believe they belong to the settlement class can submit a valid claim even if they did not receive a notice. So, I would not automatically write this off because nothing showed up in your mailbox or inbox. Instead, compare your purchase with the eligibility requirements and use the official settlement site. Be careful with links arriving through unexpected texts or emails. Large settlements often attract phishing attempts because scammers know people are looking for claim information. I recommend going directly to the official settlement website rather than clicking a claim link in an unsolicited message.

Do not expect a payment right after submitting your claim. The court has scheduled its final approval hearing for Feb. 24, 2027. The judge will decide whether to give the settlement final approval. Appeals could delay the process further. The official settlement administrator says payments will be processed after the settlement becomes effective, assuming the court approves it and any appeals are resolved. In other words, filing now secures your claim before the deadline. The check or digital payment could come much later.

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If you qualify but do nothing, you will not receive a settlement payment. You will also remain bound by the settlement if the court gives it final approval, which affects your ability to pursue your own case against Apple over the claims covered by this lawsuit. The deadline to request exclusion from the settlement or formally object is also Dec. 21, 2026. Anyone considering those options should read the official settlement notice carefully because the legal consequences differ from simply submitting a claim. CyberGuy reached out to Apple for additional comment but did not hear back before our deadline.

Apple spent a lot of time building excitement around what Apple Intelligence would bring to Siri. If you bought one of these iPhones expecting those promised features, you may have been left waiting much longer than expected. Apple has now agreed to put $250 million into a settlement fund while continuing to deny the allegations. If your iPhone and purchase date qualify, I would take a few minutes to check your eligibility and file a claim. You could receive as much as $95 per device, depending on how many valid claims come in. This is also a good reminder to pay close attention when a company promotes upcoming software features as part of the reason to buy new hardware. What you are promised at launch and what you can actually use on day one may be very different.

Did you buy an iPhone expecting Apple's new AI-powered Siri, and do you think a payment of up to $95 per device fairly reflects how long buyers had to wait? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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