Apple Intelligence / Siri settlement claims are open: how to check and file

If you bought a recent Pro or iPhone 16-series phone in the United States and felt sold on a smarter Siri that did not show up on schedule, the claims window is open now. This is a practical home-owner guide: eligibility, how to file, how to find a serial number, and how not to get phished while you do it.

The lawsuit alleged misleading advertising around Siri AI / Apple Intelligence features that were promoted ahead of what people actually got on those phones. Apple settled for about $250 million without admitting wrongdoing. Coverage from Tom’s Guide (September 21, 2026) matches the class notice details below. Prefer the official settlement site language if anything conflicts with secondary blogs.

This is not legal advice. It is a checklist so you can decide whether to file and do it safely.

Who may qualify

Per the settlement reporting and notice materials:

• You reside in the United States.
• You purchased (not for resale) one of these models in the United States between June 10, 2024 and March 29, 2025:
  • iPhone 15 Pro
  • iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • iPhone 16
  • iPhone 16e
  • iPhone 16 Plus
  • iPhone 16 Pro
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

Owning the phone today is not enough. Eligibility is tied to purchase timing and place, and to buying for personal (or similar non-resale) use. Standard iPhone 15 / 15 Plus models are outside this list. Purchases outside the US are outside this US settlement, even if the hardware looks identical.

Expect roughly $25 per eligible device, potentially up to about $95 if fewer people claim than the fund assumes. Exact cents will move with claim volume and the remaining court process. Do not budget grocery money on a settlement check.

Where to file (and the calendar)

• Official claim site: https://www.SmartphoneAISettlement.com/ (also reachable as smartphoneaisettlement.com).
• Claims window: September 21, 2026 through December 21, 2026.
• Final approval hearing: about February 24, 2027. Payments are likely later in 2027, not next week.

Some people will get email notices with a Claim ID and PIN. You can also start on the site without waiting for that mail. The form still needs enough device identity to validate the purchase (serial number, or Apple Account email plus the phone number tied to the device, per Tom’s Guide and the notice language).

How to find your serial number

1. On the iPhone: Settings → General → About, then copy Serial Number.
2. Or check the original box / purchase paperwork if you kept them.
3. If you already traded the phone in, dig through old order emails from Apple or the carrier / retailer. A serial on a device you no longer hold can still matter for the claim if it matches the purchase.

If you cannot find a serial, use the site’s alternate path with your Apple Account email and the phone number that was associated with that device. Have those ready before you sit down to file.

File the claim (simple path)

1. Open the official site only: SmartphoneAISettlement.com. Bookmark it yourself. Do not trust random text links.
2. If you have a notice email, enter the Claim ID and PIN. If not, start a claim from the site’s form for people who believe they qualify.
3. Enter the device identity fields (serial and/or Apple Account email + phone number).
4. Complete the certification questions honestly. Settlement forms usually ask you to confirm purchase timing and that you expected certain Siri / Apple Intelligence features you did not receive. Lying on a claim form is a bad idea.
5. Submit, save any confirmation number, and keep a screenshot or PDF of the confirmation page.

You do not need to hire anyone. You do not need to pay a “claims helper” website.

Phishing and paid “helpers”

Settlement season is catnip for scammers.

Do

• Type the settlement domain yourself or use a bookmark you created.
• Treat mail that asks you to pay a fee, buy gift cards, install remote-support software, or send your Apple password as fraud.
• Expect official notices to point at the known settlement domain and to ask for claim fields, not your banking password.

Don’t

• Do not click “claim now” links from strangers, Facebook ads, or random SMS.
• Do not pay anyone to “file for you.” Filing is free on the official site.
• Do not give Apple ID passwords to a settlement form. Serial / account email / device phone number are identity fields. Your password is not.

If an email looks off, ignore the link, open the known site in a fresh browser tab, and see whether your Claim ID still works there.

Money and timing expectations

Plan for:

• A modest per-device payment (about $25, maybe higher up to ~$95 if claim volume is low).
• No payment until after the February 2027 final approval process, and probably months after that for mail or electronic payouts.

Apple settling is not the same as “check clears Friday.” Class actions move slowly on purpose.

For broader Apple software context this season (separate stories), see our iOS 27 availability note. That update is unrelated to whether you can claim here.

Bottom line

US residents who bought an eligible Pro or iPhone 16-series phone for non-resale use between June 10, 2024 and March 29, 2025 can file now at SmartphoneAISettlement.com through December 21, 2026. Have a serial (or Apple Account email + device phone number) ready, ignore paid claim helpers, and expect payment only after the February 24, 2027 hearing process. For plain-language coverage of the open window, start with Tom’s Guide and trust the official site when details differ.

Image: Apple Newsroom Siri AI hero (Sept 2026).