Apple Watch Lawsuit: Which Cases Are Live, and Why None Pays You Yet
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There is no single Apple Watch lawsuit. As of September 30, 2026, two proposed consumer class actions are still before a trial judge: one alleges that the fluoroelastomer Sport Band contains a PFAS “forever chemical” and largely survived Apple's motion to dismiss on March 16, 2026; the other, filed August 12, 2026, attacks the end of software support for five older models under watchOS 27. Neither has a settlement or a claim form. The battery-swelling settlement, $20 million, paid out in August 2025 and is closed. The Masimo and Taction verdicts in the news are patent fights — that money goes to patent owners, not to people who bought a watch.
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Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
What Each Apple Watch Lawsuit Claims
PFAS in the Sport Band. The lawsuit alleges that Apple's fluoroelastomer Sport Band contains “hazardous amounts” of PFHxA (perfluorohexanoic acid), a type of PFAS. The plaintiffs rely on an academic study published in December 2024 and on their own lab test of a Sport Band bought from Apple's website, which they say measured 1,020 parts per billion. According to the complaint, Apple's own supplier rules have restricted PFHxA to 25 ppb since 2023, and the European Union restricts clothing and accessories at that same level from October 10, 2026. Apple argued the levels are not harmful, pointing to California's PFAS limits for clothing. The original complaint also named the Nike Sport Band and the Ocean Band. This is a consumer case about what buyers paid, separate from the multidistrict litigation tracked in our PFAS lawsuit update.
The watchOS 27 cutoff. A suit filed in August 2026 alleges that Apple “prematurely discontinued support for five generations of Apple Watches” — Series 6, 7 and 8, the SE (2nd generation) and the original Ultra — when it introduced watchOS 27 in June 2026, and that buyers had no way to know how long their watches would keep getting major updates.
Blood oxygen (Masimo). Masimo sued Apple in 2020, claiming the Apple Watch infringed its patents on measuring blood oxygen and heart rate. It is a dispute between two companies, but buyers felt it: Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches sold in the U.S. from January 18, 2024 had the blood oxygen feature switched off.
Haptics (Taction). A patent holder, Taction, says the Taptic Engine in the iPhone and Apple Watch uses its technology. Apple says it does not.
Closed or dismissed: a “carbon neutral” advertising suit, a battery-swelling suit over the earliest Apple Watch models, and a 2022 suit alleging the blood oxygen sensor was less accurate depending on skin color.
Case Details
The PFAS case is Cavalier, et al. v. Apple Inc., No. 5:25-cv-00713-PCP, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, before Judge P. Casey Pitts; it was filed on January 21, 2025. The watchOS 27 case is Goetz v. Apple Inc., No. 3:26-cv-08384, in the same district, filed August 12, 2026. The Masimo import fight ran through the U.S. International Trade Commission and the Federal Circuit (No. 24-1285); Masimo's damages case is in federal court in California before Judge James V. Selna. The Taction verdict came from a federal jury in San Diego. The carbon-neutral case was Dib v. Apple Inc., No. 5:25-cv-02043 (N.D. Cal.), before Judge Noël Wise. The battery case was Smith, et al. v. Apple Inc., No. 4:21-cv-09527-HSG (N.D. Cal.). The skin-tone case was Morales v. Apple, No. 22-10872, in the Southern District of New York, before Judge Jed Rakoff.
Status on September 30, 2026, Case by Case
watchOS 27 case: early stage. Filed August 12, 2026. As of September 30, 2026 we have found no class certification, no settlement and no claims process.
Masimo: a split result. On March 19, 2026 the Federal Circuit upheld the ITC's finding that the original blood oxygen design infringed Masimo's patents. On April 17, 2026 the ITC ruled that Apple's redesign — readings calculated on the paired iPhone, switched on August 14, 2025 — does not infringe; Masimo can still appeal. On July 21, 2026 Judge Selna refused to overturn a $634 million jury verdict for Masimo from November 2025. Apple says it will appeal.
Taction: a jury verdict of more than $5.7 billion in late September 2026. It is not a final judgment, and Apple says it will appeal. More on our Apple lawsuit page.
Carbon neutral: dismissed, then appealed. Judge Wise dismissed the case on February 20, 2026. The plaintiffs chose not to amend and asked for a final judgment; by April 2026 the case was before a federal appeals court.
Battery swelling: paid and closed. The $20 million settlement paid class members on August 8, 2025.
Skin-tone case: over. Dismissed with prejudice on August 21, 2023.
Don't miss the claim deadline
Claims are due by December 21, 2026. We'll email you 7 days and 1 day before the deadline.
Can You Get Money From an Apple Watch Lawsuit?
Not today. As of September 30, 2026 no Apple Watch case has an open claim form. What applies to you depends on what you own.
You bought a Sport Band new in the U.S. from Apple or an authorized reseller: you fall within the proposed nationwide class in the PFAS case, which also proposes subclasses for California, Illinois, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania. There is nothing to join. If a class is certified or a settlement is reached, notice comes from a court-appointed administrator. Keep your order confirmation or receipt.
You bought a Series 6, 7 or 8, an SE (2nd generation) or the original Ultra and live in California: you are in the class the watchOS 27 suit proposes. Nothing to file.
You had a swollen battery on a first-generation, Series 1, 2 or 3 watch: that settlement covered U.S. owners shown in Apple's records as having reported issues potentially related to battery swell. It paid automatically in August 2025 and is closed.
You also bought an iPhone: the Apple settlement that is open now, the $250 million Siri “Apple Intelligence” settlement, covers only the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 models bought in the U.S. between June 10, 2024 and March 29, 2025 — not the Apple Watch. Claims are due December 21, 2026; see our Apple lawsuit guide. For other claims you can still file, see open class action settlements.
What Apple Watch Cases Have Actually Paid
The big numbers in the headlines — $634 million for Masimo, more than $5.7 billion for Taction — would be paid to those companies if they survive appeal, not to people who bought a watch. Anyone quoting a per-watch amount for the band or software cases is guessing. To see how class settlements are usually divided, try our class action payout calculator.
Apple Watch Lawsuit Timeline
- 1
January 18, 2024 — Blood Oxygen Switched Off
After the ITC's import ban over Masimo's patents, issued October 26, 2023, Apple pauses sales in December. From January 18, 2024 it sells the Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the U.S. with the blood oxygen feature disabled.
- 2
January 21, 2025 — The PFAS Band Suit Is Filed
Weeks after a December 2024 study reports PFHxA in watch bands, buyers sue Apple in the Northern District of California over the Sport Band.
- 3
August 2025 — Battery Money Paid, Blood Oxygen Back
The $20 million battery-swell settlement pays class members on August 8, 2025. On August 14, 2025 Apple restores blood oxygen on the Series 9, Series 10 and Ultra 2, with readings calculated on the paired iPhone.
- 4
February–April 2026 — Rulings Go Both Ways
February 20: the carbon-neutral suit is dismissed. March 16: the PFAS suit survives Apple's motion to dismiss. March 19: the Federal Circuit upholds the ITC's ruling for Masimo. April 17: the ITC clears Apple's redesign.
- 5
July–August 2026 — Masimo Verdict Stands, watchOS 27 Suit Filed
On July 21 Judge Selna refuses to overturn the $634 million verdict. On August 12 a proposed California class action is filed over watchOS 27 dropping five older models.
- 6
Late September 2026 — $5.7 Billion Haptics Verdict
A San Diego jury finds Apple owes Taction more than $5.7 billion over the Taptic Engine; Apple will appeal. As of September 30, 2026, no Apple Watch case has a claim form open.
Three Apple Watch Lawsuit Traps
Two live lawsuits, two headline verdicts and no claim form: exactly the gap scammers fill.
“Claim your Apple Watch band PFAS payment”
There is no band settlement, so there is no claims portal. A site asking for your Apple Account, card number or Social Security number to “register” for the PFAS case is collecting data, not filing anything. If a class is ever certified or a settlement reached, a court-appointed administrator sends the notice.
“Your share of the $5.7 billion verdict”
The Taction and Masimo verdicts are patent cases. The money, if it survives appeal, goes to Taction and Masimo. No Apple Watch owner is owed a share, and anyone asking for a fee or bank details to “release” one is running a fraud.
“Unclaimed battery money” and the Siri form
The $20 million battery settlement paid in August 2025 and is closed; nobody can reopen it for a fee. The open $250 million Siri settlement covers listed iPhones only, so a claim for an Apple Watch there is not a valid claim. Its official site is SmartphoneAISettlement.com.
Apple Watch Lawsuit — Questions People Actually Ask
Is there an Apple Watch settlement I can claim right now?
As of September 30, 2026, no. The PFAS band and watchOS 27 cases have no settlement, and the battery-swell settlement paid out in August 2025. If you also bought an eligible iPhone, the $250 million Siri settlement is open until December 21, 2026, but it does not cover the Apple Watch.
Which bands are in the Apple Watch band lawsuit?
The proposed class covers people who bought a new fluoroelastomer Apple Watch Sport Band at retail in the U.S. from Apple or an authorized reseller. The January 2025 complaint also named the Nike Sport Band and the Ocean Band. There is nothing to sign up for; keep your proof of purchase.
Did the court find that Apple Watch bands are dangerous?
No. At this stage the judge had to assume the plaintiffs' allegations were true, and ruled only that they had plausibly alleged risky PFHxA levels. Whether the bands pose a health risk is a factual question for later in the case. Apple argued the levels are not harmful.
My watch won't get watchOS 27. Is there a lawsuit?
Yes, a proposed class action: Goetz v. Apple, filed August 12, 2026 in the Northern District of California, over the Series 6, 7 and 8, the SE (2nd generation) and the original Ultra. It proposes a class of California buyers and claims breach of contract and unfair competition. As of September 30, 2026 there is no settlement and nothing to file.
Why was blood oxygen missing on my Apple Watch, and is it back?
Because of Masimo's patents. From January 18, 2024, Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches sold in the U.S. had the feature switched off. On August 14, 2025 Apple brought it back for the Series 9, Series 10 and Ultra 2, with readings calculated on the paired iPhone; it needs iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1. On April 17, 2026 the ITC ruled that this redesign does not infringe; Masimo can still appeal.
Do Apple Watch owners get money from the Masimo or Taction verdicts?
No. Both are patent cases between companies. The $634 million verdict would be paid to Masimo and the more than $5.7 billion verdict to Taction, and Apple has said it will appeal both. No consumer is a party.
What happened to the Apple Watch battery swelling settlement?
It is finished. Smith v. Apple settled for $20 million for U.S. owners of first-generation, Series 1, 2 and 3 watches who appear in Apple's records as having reported issues potentially related to battery swell between April 24, 2015 and February 6, 2024. No claim form was needed; payments went out on August 8, 2025. Apple denied that the devices had such issues.
What about the “carbon neutral” and skin-tone lawsuits?
Both were dismissed. Judge Noël Wise dismissed the carbon-neutral case on February 20, 2026, finding the allegations rested on “unsubstantiated assumptions”; the plaintiffs did not amend, and the case went to a federal appeals court. The suit alleging the blood oxygen sensor was less accurate depending on skin color was dismissed with prejudice on August 21, 2023. Neither pays anything.
Separate from this case: were you injured in the last 2 years?
Class-action payouts are fixed amounts through an administrator. A personal injury claim is a different case — and often worth far more. Free estimate, no obligation.