Apple may owe you money for your broken Apple Watch

By Bryan M. Wolfe Published January 31, 2025

Apple Watch Series 3 on wrist. — Digital Trends

If you were an early adopter of the Apple Watch, you might be eligible for cash compensation. Apple has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit filed five years ago. This lawsuit covers the first-generation Apple Watch, as well as the Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 models, according to CNET. The lawsuit was initially filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and claimed that these early Apple Watches had batteries that swelled over time, which could potentially damage other essential components.

Settlement details for users

The Apple Watch Series 3 on a person's wrist. — Apple Watch Series 3 Digital Trends

Apple will compensate affected customers between $20 and $50 for the settlement. The exact amount will depend on the number of claims submitted. To be eligible, you must have owned an affected Apple Watch and contacted Apple customer service about the issue between April 24, 2015, and February 6, 2024.

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The Apple Watch Series 3 launched in 2017 but was not discontinued until 2022, making it the longest-running Apple Watch model in the product’s history. Eligible customers will receive an email or letter from Apple. They have until April 10 to confirm their claim through the WatchSettlement.com website.

By filing a claim and accepting a settlement payment, individuals waive their rights to pursue any further legal action against Apple regarding the battery issue. Apple has not revealed how many individuals qualify for a discount. If every eligible person received the maximum payout of $50, it would suggest that 400,000 individuals have reached out to Apple about the issue. However, this number is likely much lower, as attorney fees are probably included in the reported $20 million total.

It is common for Apple and other companies to settle class action lawsuits without admitting any wrongdoing. While Apple did not formally acknowledge the early Apple Watch batteries swelled and caused problems, it did implement changes to the battery design, starting with the Series 4 model. Since then, Apple has released six additional versions of the Apple Watch, not including two Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch Ultra models. The Apple Watch Series 10 is the current model.

Former Mobile and A/V Freelancer

Bryan M. Wolfe has over a decade of experience as a technology writer. He writes about mobile.

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