Anyone who has used an Apple iphone since 2018 ‘could get £77 payment’

Which? secured permission to proceed with a £3bn class action lawsuit alleging Apple overcharged iCloud users and breached UK competition law

Apple users across the UK could be set to receive payouts of up to £77 each following a major class action lawsuit that has been given the green light to proceed. Should the legal challenge prove successful, the massive £3bn case could see nearly 39.7 million people awarded compensation.

Consumer champion Which? initially launched the lawsuit in late 2024 and has now secured court approval to move forward.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal granted permission on 17 June, though the group is only now making this public as it must inform people of their right to opt out if they wish to avoid being included in the proceedings.

Which? alleges Apple “trapped” users of its devices into being forced to use – and pay for – its storage system, violating UK competition law by giving its iCloud storage preferential treatment.

The consumer organisation claims the company has exploited its dominant position in the cloud market, “stifled competition and ripped off millions of customers in the process”.

It further alleges customers have been overcharged annually through iCloud subscription fees and provided with less free storage than they should have received.

The rights group contends Apple encouraged users to sign up to iCloud for storing photos, videos and other data while simultaneously making it challenging to use alternative providers.

Which? argues Apple prevents customers from storing or backing up all of their phone’s data with third-party providers, claiming this breaches competition law.

The consumer rights organisation states that once iOS users have signed up to iCloud, they then have to p ay for the service once their photos, notes, messages and other data go over the free 5GB limit.

The legal action will cover all UK Apple customers who have used iCloud services since 8 November 2018 – anyone not wanting to be part of it will need to opt out.

If consumers are living overseas but meet the criteria – for instance, because they resided in the UK and used iCloud before relocating – they can also opt in.

Should the case prove successful, millions of consumers could receive compensation for Apple’s conduct, with potential payouts reaching up to £77 per person.

Anyone who utilised iCloud services at any point between 8 November 2018 and 8 June 2026 will be automatically included unless they actively decide to opt out.

Anabel Hoult, Which? chief executive, said: “Which? wants to make clear that no company, no matter how powerful, can get away with abusing its position. “The granting of the CPO [collective proceedings order] means we’re one step closer to getting consumers the redress we believe they are owed from Apple and this should send a strong message to any other companies using anti-competitive tactics.

Apple says it will appeal. An Apple spokesperson previously said the claims by Which? were “unfounded”.