Apple Watch swollen battery lawsuit settlement payments to start soon

Apple Watch

Apple Watch owners who registered for the settlement from a lawsuit over swollen batteries have begun receiving payments this week.

The lawsuit, filed in 2021, led to a $20 million settlement Apple agreed to in January 2025 to avoid further legal costs. Owners of Apple Watch Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 had until April 10 to file claims, but anyone who previously reported battery swelling to Apple was automatically eligible.

Payments are being issued as prepaid Mastercard cards. Recipients may receive emails about the Smith et al. v. Apple Inc. Settlement accompanied by these cards. The minimum payment is $20, with some receiving more depending on the number of claims; one Reddit user reported receiving just over $25.

The lawsuit alleged a design defect in early Apple Watch models causing batteries to swell and exert pressure on the display, sometimes detaching it. Plaintiffs claimed this led to device malfunctions and injuries from sharp edges of broken screens.

Apple was accused of knowing about the defect while continuing to sell the affected models. Plaintiffs sought various damages, including general, special, statutory, punitive, and replacement costs. Apple settled without admitting wrongdoing or acknowledging any defects in the devices.