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The wait is over for some iPhone owners who say Apple promised artificial intelligence features that never arrived as expected.

The apple $250m settlement has entered its claims phase, giving eligible customers a chance to receive money from a $250 million fund created to resolve allegations involving Apple's Siri and Apple Intelligence features.

Customers in the class action lawsuit alleged they bought certain iPhones believing they would receive specific Siri capabilities that they said were ultimately unavailable.

Apple has denied the allegations. Under the settlement agreement, the company does not admit liability or wrongdoing as part of the deal.

Ryan Clarkson, co-lead counsel in the class action and founder and managing partner of Clarkson Law Firm, said in an email to CBS News that the $250 million fund represents what he described as the largest false advertising settlement in history.

Apple declined to comment.

How to File an Apple $250M Settlement Claim

Eligible iPhone owners can submit claims through SmartphoneAISettlement.com, according to a spokesperson for Clarkson Law Firm, a public interest law firm involved in the case.

Applicants must provide basic identifying information, including their name, address and telephone number. They also need the serial number of the eligible iPhone, which can be located through the device's Settings menu.

Once the required information is submitted, claimants can choose how they want to receive their payment.

Available options include PayPal, Venmo, direct deposit or a mailed check.

One Payment Per Eligible Device

The settlement website states that consumers can receive only one cash payment for each qualifying device.

That means people who purchased another iPhone that independently satisfies the eligibility requirements must file a separate claim for that device.

The rule makes the phone's serial number especially important, since it helps identify the specific device covered by the claim.

Who Qualifies for the Settlement?

The eligibility window centers on several newer iPhone models and a specific purchase period.

Consumers who purchased an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max or any iPhone 16 model between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025, can submit a claim if they meet the other settlement requirements.

The claimant must have been the original purchaser of the device. The phone also must have been bought for personal or professional use rather than for resale.

For consumers who remain uncertain about their eligibility, the settlement administrator can be contacted at 1-888-988-8945.

Written inquiries can also be sent to:

Landsheft, et al. v. Apple Inc.; Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 301132
Los Angeles, CA 90030-1132

Claim Deadline Is Dec. 21, 2026

Time is now running on the claims process.

Eligible consumers have until Dec. 21, 2026, to submit their claims under the current schedule.

Missing the deadline could mean losing the opportunity to seek a payment from the settlement fund, making the date a critical marker for qualifying iPhone purchasers.

Payments Could Reach $95

The settlement does not guarantee that every approved claimant will receive $95.

Instead, valid claims will initially be valued at $25 per eligible device. The eventual amount could climb as high as $95, or it could fall below the initial figure.

The final payment will depend on factors including the total number of valid claims submitted, according to the settlement website.

In other words, the $250 million fund is a fixed pool, while the number of people reaching into that pool remains a moving target.

When Will Settlement Payments Arrive?

The money will not be distributed immediately.

A federal district court in San Jose, California, is scheduled to hold a settlement approval hearing on Feb. 24, 2027. The court will determine whether the proposed agreement should receive final approval.

Any appeals could push the payment timeline further into the future.

If no appeal is filed, the settlement website says benefits will be processed promptly after the approval process is completed.

For now, eligible iPhone owners face a straightforward choice: check their device details, determine whether they qualify and submit a claim before the Dec. 21 deadline while the court process continues in the background.