UK iCloud users could receive compensation in £3 billion lawsuit against Apple

Millions of iCloud users in the UK could eventually receive compensation as part of a £3 billion collective lawsuit accusing Apple of using its control over iPhone and iPad to restrict competition in cloud storage.

The case is being brought by consumer group Which? on behalf of up to 39.7 million people and has now been approved to proceed as collective proceedings by the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal.

Which? alleges that Apple has abused a dominant position by giving iCloud preferential treatment on iOS and preventing users from storing certain important types of data with competing cloud storage providers. The group argues that this reduced competition and allowed Apple to charge higher prices for iCloud storage than it otherwise could have.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal says the claim seeks compensation for alleged losses caused by customers paying higher cloud storage prices than they would have under competitive conditions, as well as measures intended to prevent the alleged conduct continuing.

The case does not mean Apple has been found to have broken competition law, and no compensation has been awarded. Apple disputes the allegations and the substantive trial is not currently expected to begin until the first available date in October 2028.

For most eligible iCloud users currently living in the UK, however, there is an important detail: they do not need to register a claim to be included.

According to the official Which? claim website, eligible people who were living in the UK on June 8, 2026 are automatically included unless they choose to opt out by October 8, 2026.

Broadly, the class covers people who obtained iCloud services on an iPhone or iPad with the United Kingdom selected as the Country/Region for their Apple ID during the relevant claim period.

People who qualify but were not living in the UK on June 8 are treated differently. They need to actively opt into the proceedings by October 8 if they want to be represented in the case.

Which?’s official opt-in page says this applies to eligible users who lived in the UK at some point between November 8, 2018 and June 8, 2026 but were living outside the UK on June 8.

The £3 billion figure represents the overall value Which? is seeking on behalf of the class rather than money that has already been awarded.

Which? has previously estimated that compensation could average around £77 per person if its case succeeds, although the eventual amount, if any, would depend on the outcome of the proceedings and how damages were ultimately calculated and distributed.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal formally made the Collective Proceedings Order on June 17, allowing Which? to represent the class. A further case management conference is scheduled for November 27, 2026, while the trial has been allocated nine weeks beginning on the first available date in October 2028.

The underlying dispute centers on how deeply iCloud is integrated into Apple’s devices. Which? argues that technical restrictions mean some significant iOS data can only be comprehensively backed up using iCloud rather than a rival cloud service, limiting the competitive pressure Apple faces.

Apple has rejected the allegations. When Which? originally launched the action, Apple said users are not required to use iCloud, that many customers rely on third-party alternatives, and that it works to make transferring data as easy as possible.

That means anyone seeing claims that UK Apple users are already “due” a payment should be cautious. The case is still at a relatively early stage, Apple has not been found liable, and the trial itself is currently more than two years away.

For eligible UK residents who want to remain part of the case, no action is generally required. The October 8 deadline is primarily relevant to people who want to opt out and eligible users living outside the UK who need to opt in.

Which? iCloud claim website provides an eligibility checker and further information about the proceedings.