Millions of UK Apple users could soon receive compensation after the Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled that Apple abused its dominant market position and unlawfully overcharged customers for App Store purchases over the past decade.

The ruling marks a historic £1.5 billion victory against the global tech giant and could see around 36 million UK consumers and businesses receiving payouts of up to £75 each.

What Was the Apple Lawsuit About?

The case — Kent v Apple — was brought by Dr Rachael Kent, Senior Lecturer at King’s College London, who acted as the Class Representative on behalf of affected iPhone and iPad users.

Dr Kent argued that Apple’s mandatory 30% commission on all App Store app sales, subscriptions, and in-app purchases led to inflated prices for consumers. Because developers were required to use Apple’s payment system, they passed the additional cost on to users.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) agreed, ruling that Apple had abused its market dominance by blocking competition and charging “excessive and unfair” fees between October 2015 and 2024.

According to the ruling, Apple’s restrictive practices resulted in billions of pounds in extra costs for consumers, limiting innovation and choice across the UK’s app market.

How Much Could You Receive?

The total compensation fund is expected to reach £1.5 billion, with individual payments estimated to range between £27 and £75, depending on the number of claims submitted.

Examples of potential payouts include:

• Strava subscription (£8.99/month): Around £21.58 per year
• Clash of Clans (£19.99 in-app purchase): Around £4 back
• Minecraft (£5.99 in-app purchase): Around £1.20 back

While compensation amounts may seem small individually, the case represents a major legal victory for consumer rights and a significant accountability moment for one of the world’s most powerful tech companies.

Who Is Eligible for Compensation?

According to the legal experts who represented Dr Kent, you may be eligible for compensation if you:

• Owned an iPhone or iPad between 1 October 2015 and 15 November 2024
• Made paid purchases, app subscriptions, or in-app digital content purchases via the UK App Store
• Used the UK storefront when making these purchases

To check, log into your Apple App Store account, go to Account Settings > Purchase History, and review your past transactions. The default setting shows the last 90 days, but you can adjust this to view older purchases.

Apple’s Response

Apple has strongly disagreed with the ruling and confirmed that it intends to appeal.

In a statement, the company said the Tribunal had taken “a flawed view of the thriving and competitive app economy,” adding that 85% of apps pay no commission and that the App Store provides a “safe, trusted place to discover apps and securely make payments.”

However, the Competition Appeal Tribunal found that Apple’s restrictions could not be justified, ruling that competition would have delivered better outcomes for consumers in both price and innovation.

What Happens Next?

Although Apple plans to appeal, the ruling has set a major precedent for consumer compensation claims in the UK.

If the decision stands, compensation will be distributed among qualifying UK consumers and businesses who made eligible purchases between 2015 and 2024.

This case also strengthens the UK’s collective action regime, showing that ordinary people and small businesses can hold powerful corporations to account.

How ClaimExperts.co.uk Can Help

At ClaimExperts.co.uk, we stay at the forefront of the UK’s most significant consumer and competition law cases.

If you believe you may be eligible for compensation due to Apple’s App Store practices, we will keep you informed as the claims process develops - including how to register your interest once the official claim submission process opens.

Stay informed. Stay empowered.
Check back regularly for updates on this landmark Apple compensation case.

Sources: BBC, Sky News, Financial Times, The Telegraph, Competition Appeal Tribunal Judgment.