Google has agreed to a $135 million settlement in a US class action over Android devices sending data over cellular connections. The deal — reached in early 2026 — covers people who used an Android phone with a cellular plan in the United States between 12 November 2017 and the court’s final approval. Here's how to tell if you qualify, check your status and file a claim — and what UK residents should do if they're not covered.

Quick summary

- Settlement: $135,000,000 (agreed 2026) for Taylor v. Google LLC.
- Eligibility window: 12 November 2017 to date of final approval (final approval hearing: 23 June 2026).
- Primary eligibility: living individuals who used an Android mobile device with a cellular data plan in the United States during that period.
- Estimated individual payout: modest — many reports suggest roughly $1–$1.50 per person, with a possible cap of $100 per person if funds remain.
- UK residents: generally not eligible unless you qualify under the class definition (see Step 1).
- Official places to check: the US District Court for the Northern District of California docket (https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/) and the claims administrator’s official settlement website (link posted on the court docket).

Prerequisites: who qualifies (and who doesn't)

The court filings make clear: you only qualify if you meet every element of the class definition. Key points:

1. You're a living, natural person. Corporations and estates are excluded.
2. You used an Android mobile device that had a cellular data plan.
3. You used the device in the United States at any time between 12 November 2017 and the date when the settlement receives final approval (the hearing is scheduled for 23 June 2026).
4. Meanwhile you're not a member of a separate California-only class action (Csupo v. Google LLC) if that applies to you.

Sure, still unsure? If you mostly used your Android device in the UK, you almost certainly aren't included in this US class.

But if you were physically in the US and used an Android device with a cellular plan during the period above, you might be included.

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Step-by-step: how to check eligibility and claim your share

Follow these numbered steps to check whether you can claim and to submit a claim if eligible.

Step 1 — Confirm class membership

  1. Check where you used the phone. The settlement covers use in the United States between 12 November 2017 and final approval. If you only used the phone in the UK, you’re almost certainly outside the class.
  2. Identify the device and plan. You must have used an Android mobile device on a cellular data plan — Wi‑Fi‑only tablets or devices without a cellular plan don’t qualify.
  3. Check the court docket for the official class definition and any updates. Visit the US District Court for the Northern District of California: https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/ and search the case Joseph Taylor, et al., v. Google LLC (the docket links the claims administrator and settlement website).

Step 2 — Visit the official settlement site

  1. Find the claims administrator link on the court docket. The court docket will list the official settlement website and the claims administrator’s contact details — use those links only, not random sites or social posts.
  2. Go to the official settlement site to register, choose how you want paid and read the long-form notice that lists deadlines and other details.

Step 3 — Register and submit a claim

  1. If the portal asks, set up an account and have evidence handy — for example, carrier records or device details — to prove you used a qualifying device. The site will list accepted proofs — common items include device IMEI/MEID, carrier billing records, or screenshots showing device usage in the US during the relevant dates.
  2. Complete the claim form accurately. Give the payment method you prefer — options often include electronic transfer, cheque, or prepaid card. Double-check bank details and postal addresses; mistakes can delay or thwart payment.
  3. Submit before the deadline. Watch the settlement notice for final claim deadlines. The court calendar shows the final approval hearing on 23 June 2026 and an objection/exclusion deadline of 29 May 2026 for people who want to object or opt out.

Step 4 — Track your claim and payments

  1. The claims portal will usually let you check status: received, approved, denied, or paid. Keep login details and confirmation emails.
  2. If your claim is denied, the site should give the reason and a contact for the claims administrator. You can supply additional documentation if that’s allowed.
  3. Once the court signs off and fees are paid, the administrator distributes money — expect the process to take several months.

Money and conversions: what the pot means in GBP (2026)

The settlement is for $135,000,000. At an illustrative 2026 exchange rate of $1 = £0.79, the fund is about £106.65 million. Individual payments are likely to be small because the fund is divided among many millions of class members. Early estimates in the filings and press reports suggested average payments could be around $1–$1.50 each (roughly £0.79–£1.19), with a possible per-person cap of $100 (about £79) if leftover money allows.

But don’t bank on large sums. Administrative costs, attorneys’ fees and other allocations take a large slice before individual distributions.

What UK residents should do instead

If you live in the UK and were not using an Android device in the US during the covered dates, you’re probably not in this class. Still, you have options:

  • File a data-protection complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) — https://ico.org.uk/. The ICO handles GDPR and data privacy complaints in the UK.
  • Seek consumer advice from Citizens Advice — https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ — for guidance if you paid additional mobile charges because of background data use.
  • For cross-border legal questions, HM Courts & Tribunals Service guidance is at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/courts-and-tribunals. Consider legal advice if you think you suffered measurable financial loss.

Tips

  • Only use the official settlement website linked on the court docket. Scams often appear after big settlements — if a site asks for excessive personal data or an upfront fee, walk away.
  • Keep screenshots or carrier bills that show where and when you used your device — they help prove eligibility.
  • Decide whether to object or opt out carefully. If you opt out, you keep the right to sue Google separately, but you give up any share of this settlement. To object, follow the objection instructions and deadlines listed on the settlement notice.
  • Remember currency conversions vary. Don’t assume GBP figures will match exactly — payments are made in US dollars and converted if the portal offers a GBP option.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Missing deadlines — objection, exclusion and claim deadlines are strict.
  • Using unverified third-party claim services — many charge fees or are outright scams.
  • Submitting incorrect payment details — that’s the main reason claims stall.
  • Assuming UK residence equals eligibility — the class is defined by use in the United States during specific dates.
  • Confusing different lawsuits — there’s a separate California case (Csupo v. Google LLC) with its own class definition and process.

Related Articles

If you meet the class definition — that is, you used an Android phone with a cellular plan in the United States between 12 November 2017 and the date the settlement is finally approved — follow the claims portal linked on the Northern District of California docket, register, and file your claim before the deadlines. Payments will likely be modest: early estimates point to just a few dollars (or less) per person, with a possible $100 cap. If you’re a UK resident who didn’t use an Android device in the US during the covered window, the US settlement probably won’t help you. Instead, consider filing a data-protection complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (https://ico.org.uk/) or seeking consumer advice from Citizens Advice (https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/). The court’s final approval hearing is set for 23 June 2026; check the court docket at https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/ for the official settlement website and the claims administrator’s instructions.

This article was created with AI assistance.