Wednesday, May 6

The majority of Android users in the US will get a check this summer without ever filing anything, and they are technically class members in a settlement they have never heard of. The peculiar aspect of the Taylor v. Google class action settlement is that the $135 million payout structure covers almost everyone who used an Android smartphone on a U.S. cellular network between November 12, 2017, and the ultimate approval date, which is now anticipated to be around June 23, 2026.

Taylor v. Google Android Settlement — Key InformationDetails
Case NameTaylor v. Google LLC
Total Settlement Amount$135 million
Eligibility WindowNovember 12, 2017 – Final Approval Date
Final Approval HearingJune 23, 2026
Maximum Individual PayoutUp to $100
EligibilityU.S. residents who used Android on cellular data
ExclusionCalifornia residents covered under Csupo v. Google
Claim Required?No — automatic inclusion
Recommended ActionFile a payment election form
Opt-Out DeadlineMay 29, 2026
Settlement Helpline(844) 655-4255
DefendantGoogle LLC
Underlying AllegationBackground cellular data usage without proper consent
Reference ResourceNBC News
Regulatory ContextFederal Trade Commission

You’re most likely in if your phone has been ringing in your pocket for the previous eight years. The issue revolves around claims that Android devices used cellular data in the background, sending brief telemetry packets and pinging Google servers, frequently without the user’s knowledge or consent. The plaintiffs claimed that this improperly disclosed the use of consumers’ purchased mobile data. Like most defendants in these instances,

Google denies any wrongdoing and has reached a settlement to avoid years of contentious litigation. By the standards of significant class lawsuits against Big Tech, the $135 million sum isn’t huge, but it’s also not symbolic. For consumers who submit the correct form, the math adds up to a hefty check, with individual payments capped at about $100.

This settlement differs from others in part because of the exceptionally broad eligibility requirements. Nothing needs to be proven. The apps you utilized don’t need to be remembered. All you need to do to qualify is be a resident of the United States who used an Android device on cellular data during the eligibility window, which includes almost all Android users in the country.

Residents of California are the only significant exception, as they are protected by the different Csupo v. Google case that is pending in state court. By default, everyone else is in the class.

Android Users Settlement
Android Users Settlement

The payment election form is the action item for anyone who prefers real money over a default sent check. A Notice ID and confirmation number should have been sent to eligible individuals via mail or email; most consumers ignore this type of correspondence since it appears to be spam from a law firm.

By completing the form, you can choose your payment method, which is typically an electronic transfer rather than a paper check that takes weeks to arrive. The case is locked in after the opt-out date of May 29, 2026.

Observing how these settlements are disbursed gives the impression that the majority of those who are legally owed money will never make a claim. The notification reaches a mailing address that hasn’t been changed in three moves, is filtered as junk mail, or is sent to an incorrectly spelled email address.

Depending on the settlement mechanism, the unclaimed cash then revert in different ways. This is the rare class action where checking your mail actually matters if you’ve been an Android user in the United States for any significant period of time since 2017. If you’re unsure if you’re in, you can call the settlement administrator at (844) 655-4255.

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