Apple has opened the claims process for a US$250 million settlement over allegations that it misled customers about AI features coming to Siri, but Australian iPhone owners won’t be receiving a payout.

The settlement relates to a class-action lawsuit in the United States alleging Apple promoted upgraded Siri capabilities as part of its Apple Intelligence push, despite the features not being available when the affected iPhones went on sale.

Claims opened this week and eligible US customers could receive at least US$25 per qualifying device. Payments could potentially reach US$95 depending on the number of valid claims and other factors. 

The class action covers people who purchased an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max or an iPhone 16-series model in the US between June 10, 2024 and March 29, 2025. Around 37 million devices are covered by the settlement.

The settlement is restricted to eligible consumers in the United States, which means Australian customers who bought an eligible iPhone locally are not entitled to claim under the US settlement.

The legal action centred on Apple’s 2024 promotion of Apple Intelligence and planned upgrades to Siri. In it, Apple showcased a significantly more capable Siri that was expected to understand personal context, recognise what was displayed on screen and perform actions across apps.

The features were promoted alongside the iPhone 16 launch, however the upgraded Siri was subsequently delayed.

The lawsuit alleged consumers were misled into purchasing the affected devices, or paying more for them, based on the promised AI capabilities. Apple has denied wrongdoing and did not admit liability as part of the settlement. 

Apple said it agreed to settle the matter to avoid the costs and risks associated with continuing the litigation. The company has also pointed out a number of other Apple Intelligence features it has introduced since the service launched, including Visual Intelligence and Live Translation. 

For eligible US customers, claims must be submitted by December 21, 2026. The settlement remains subject to final court approval. A final approval hearing is scheduled for February 24, 2027. 

Apple’s delayed Siri upgrade has been a closely watched part of its broader AI strategy, particularly as other smartphone makers have sped up their own AI offerings.