Lawsuit Update Center
Apple has agreed to pay $20 million to settle a defective watch class action lawsuit that alleged design defects in several Apple Watch models caused battery swelling, leading to costly damages. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, claimed that Apple did not allocate enough internal space in certain models to accommodate battery expansion, a known and expected phenomenon in lithium-ion batteries.
As a result, plaintiffs alleged that when the battery swelled, it exerted pressure on the watch’s screen, causing the screen to detach, crack, or shatter entirely. Some users also reported injuries from broken glass when the screen popped off unexpectedly. The lawsuit further accused Apple of failing to properly disclose the risk of battery swelling and not covering the issue under its warranty policy. This was all resolved with a $20 million. The good news? If you qualify, getting your settlement money will be easy. The bad news is that compensation payouts for victims, as we explain below, is not much.
The Allegations in the Apple Battery Lawsuit
The lawsuit Smith et al. v. Apple Inc., Case No. 3:21-cv-09527, was filed in the Northern District of California. It focused on a defect in certain Apple Watch models—specifically, the First Generation, Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3—that allegedly caused their batteries to swell, exerting pressure on the watch screen. Over time, this pressure could lead to the screen detaching, cracking, or shattering.
The core issue in the lawsuit was product liability, which is a legal concept that holds manufacturers responsible when a product is defectively designed, manufactured, or marketed (including failing to warn consumers of risks). Plaintiffs in this case argued that Apple sold a product with a design defect and failed to warn consumers about the risk of battery swelling.
The Problem: Battery Swelling and Screen Detachment
The Apple Watch, like most modern consumer electronics, uses a lithium-ion battery due to its high energy density, fast charging capabilities, and long lifespan. However, lithium-ion batteries are not without risks. Over time, they can degrade, expand, and even fail catastrophically under certain conditions.
Battery swelling is primarily caused by the formation of gas within the battery cells, which occurs due to electrochemical reactions during charging and discharging. This gas buildup increases internal pressure, which must be safely dissipated. If the battery’s design does not accommodate expansion, it can lead to structural failure of the device—in this case, causing the watch screen to detach or shatter.
The plaintiffs in Smith et al. v. Apple Inc. argued that Apple’s watch design made it particularly vulnerable to this failure.
Key Allegations in the Apple Watch Battery Swelling Lawsuit
The Apple watch class action lawsuit centered on three core allegations:
- Apple knew about the defect but failed to disclose it,
- the defect made the Apple Watch unsafe, and
- Apple’s warranty and repair policies were unfair to consumers.
The plaintiffs argued that Apple was aware of the risk of battery swelling leading to screen detachment, yet it continued selling the affected watches without warning customers or modifying the design. As a result, consumers suffered injuries, and many were forced to pay out-of-pocket for repairs that they believed should have been covered under Apple’s warranty policies.
Apple’s Prior Knowledge of the Defect
One of the most serious claims in the lawsuit was that Apple had internal knowledge of the battery swelling issue but chose not to disclose it. The plaintiffs pointed to internal company documents that allegedly showed Apple engineers and product developers were aware that the Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 Apple Watches were prone to battery expansion, which could lead to screen detachment. These documents suggested that Apple recognized the risk before the devices were released to the public, meaning the company may have actively concealed a known defect from consumers.
Despite this internal awareness, Apple kep selling the affected watches without issuing a warning, recall, or design modification. Customers purchasing the Apple Watch had no reason to suspect that their devices could experience catastrophic battery swelling, which in some cases caused the screen to detach entirely. Plaintiffs argued that Apple’s failure to disclose material information violated consumer protection laws, particularly those prohibiting fraudulent concealment of known defects. Had Apple been transparent about the risks, many consumers would have chosen not to purchase the device (or would have at least taken some precautions).
The Safety Risks Posed by the Defect
The lawsuit also alleged that the battery swelling defect was more than just an inconvenience—it posed a legitimate safety risk. Unlike a phone or tablet, which can be set down when an issue arises, the Apple Watch was worn directly against the user’s skin. When the screen detached, it often did so suddenly and forcefully, exposing sharp edges that could cause physical harm.
Consumers reported cuts and lacerations from broken screens, with one plaintiff allegedly suffering a deep wrist wound when their watch screen detached unexpectedly. This injury required medical attention and underscored the danger posed by the defect. The lawsuit argued that the Apple Watch’s design made it uniquely susceptible to harm, particularly given the device’s proximity to major veins and arteries in the wrist. So unlike other electronic devices, where a swollen battery may cause a casing to bulge or crack, the Apple Watch’s rigid and tightly sealed construction meant that the only possible point of failure was the screen itself.
Many users also had no warning signs before their screens detached, meaning they could not remove the watch in time to prevent injury. This made the issue even more dangerous, as consumers were unknowingly wearing a device that could suddenly expose sharp edges against their skin. The lawsuit asserted that Apple should have accounted for this risk in its design and manufacturing process or at the very least warned consumers of the potential hazard.
Apple’s Warranty and Repair Policies Were Unfair
Adding to the plaintiffs’ grievances, many affected customers claimed that when they reached out to Apple for repairs, they were told they would have to pay out of pocket because the issue was not covered under warranty. But when you have a manufacturing defect, it is a whole different story. The lawsuit stated that Apple failed to take responsibility for what should have been classified as a manufacturing defect, leaving consumers to have to fend for themselves in dealing with this avoidable problem.
Worse still, some users reported being denied free repairs even when their watches were still under warranty. This makes you wonder if Apple was attempting to shift blame onto consumers rather than acknowledging the defect. The lawsuit contended that this practice was deceptive and unfair, especially given that Apple allegedly knew about the issue before selling the watches. If Apple had properly disclosed the risk or proactively offered free repairs, many consumers would not have faced unexpected repair costs for a problem outside their control.
Apple Watch Lawsuit Settlement: Who Is Eligible for Compensation?
The settlement covers consumers in the United States who:
✅ Own or previously owned a First Generation, Series 1, Series 2, or Series 3 Apple Watch.
✅ Reported battery swelling issues to Apple between April 24, 2015, and February 6, 2024 (as reflected in Apple’s service records).
✅ Used their Apple Watch for personal or household purposes (business owners and commercial users are excluded).
Settlement Benefits – How Much Money Can You Get?
Consumers who meet the eligibility criteria do not need to submit a claim form to receive payment. This is one of the benefits of Apple knowing exactly who you are. Settlement payments will be distributed automatically to class members unless they choose to exclude themselves from the settlement.
No one is getting rich off of this Apple watch settlement:
- Minimum Payment: Each eligible class member is entitled to receive $20 per covered device.
- Larger Payments Possible: If the total settlement fund exceeds $50,000, eligible class members may receive up to $50 per device, depending on the number of claims filed.
- No Proof of Purchase Required: Since Apple maintains records of battery swelling complaints, class members do not need to submit receipts or other documentation to qualify.
- Exclusions: The settlement does not cover Apple Watches that experienced other forms of damage unrelated to battery swelling. It also does not provide compensation to individuals who did not report battery issues to Apple during the covered period.
Important Deadlines to Know
- Exclusion and Objection Deadline: February 24, 2025
- Consumers who wish to opt out of the settlement (to retain the right to sue Apple individually) or object to the terms of the settlement must do so by this date. It is hard to imagine how anyone would summon the energy to object to this Apple watch settlement because there is so little commpensation at stake.
- Final Approval Hearing: April 10, 2025
- The court will review the settlement and determine whether to grant final approval, which it almost certainly will. If approved, payments will be distributed shortly thereafter.
- Payment Selection Deadline: April 10, 2025
- Class members must confirm their payment details on the settlement website to ensure they receive compensation.
What Should You Do Next?
If you believe you are eligible for this Apple lawsuit, follow these steps to ensure you receive your settlement payment:
✅ Check Apple’s Service Records – If you previously reported a battery swelling issue (even though you might not have called it that) with a First Generation, Series 1, Series 2, or Series 3 Apple Watch, you are likely included in the settlement.
✅ Visit the Official Settlement Website – Class members should go to the settlement website review the FAQs and confirm payment information before the deadline.
✅ Stay Updated on the Settlement Approval Process – The court’s final decision on the Apple settlement will determine when payments are distributed.
No Action Required for Most Class Members
One of the most convenient aspects of this Apple class action lawsuit settlement is that eligible consumers do not have to submit a claim form. Apple will automatically distribute payments based on its records of reported battery swelling complaints.
However, if you change your mailing address or wish to receive electronic payment, it is important to update your information on the official settlement website before the payment deadline.
Apple Class Action Lawsuit History
This goes on this list of the major Apple class action lawsuit settlements. Here are some of the others:
| Year | Settlement | Issue | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Siri Privacy Violation Settlement | A lawsuit accused Apple of unlawfully recording private conversations through unintended Siri activations and sharing them with third parties. | Apple agreed to a $95 million settlement, with affected users eligible to receive up to $20 per Siri-enabled device. |
| 2024 | Apple Watch Screen Defect Settlement | Owners of certain Apple Watch models alleged that a defect caused the screens to detach, crack, or shatter. | Apple agreed to a $20 million settlement to resolve the claims. |
| 2022 | MacBook Butterfly Keyboard Settlement | A class action lawsuit was filed over defective “butterfly” keyboards in MacBook laptops produced between 2015 and 2019, which were prone to sticky or unresponsive keys. | Apple agreed to a $50 million settlement, compensating affected users up to $395, depending on the number and type of repairs performed. |
| 2020 | iPhone Performance (“Batterygate”) Settlement | Apple faced allegations of intentionally slowing down older iPhone models to encourage users to purchase newer devices. | Apple agreed to pay between $310 million and $500 million, with affected users receiving approximately $25 per iPhone. |
| 2013 | In-App Purchases Class Action Settlement | Parents filed a lawsuit alleging that children made unauthorized in-app purchases in games marketed as “free,” leading to unexpected charges. | Apple settled by offering refunds to affected customers and implemented stricter controls on in-app purchases. |
| 2011 | MagSafe Power Adapter Settlement | A class action lawsuit claimed that Apple’s T-shaped MagSafe power adapters were prone to fraying and failure. | Apple agreed to replace the faulty adapters and compensate customers who had purchased replacements. |
| 2005 | iPod Battery Life Class Action Settlement | Consumers alleged that first to third-generation iPods sold before May 2004 had shorter battery life than advertised and that battery performance degraded over time. | Apple settled by offering extended warranties, store credits, cash compensation, or battery replacements to affected customers. |
Can Our Lawyers Help You with Your Apple Lawsuit Settlement?
Our lawyer cannnot help you with your Apple watch settlement. We are not involved in this lawsuit (or any purely consumer class action lawsuits). We provide information like this on our website to try to help people like you.
Do you need an attorney? You are not required to hire your own attorney. There is an appointed legal representative in these kinds of cases working on your behalf. If you choose to hire your own attorney, you will be responsible for any associated costs, which is hard to justify given the economics of this. But that is your choice.
