Viral Apple “malware” claims misleading as old Batterygate controversy resurfaces

Fresh viral claims accusing Apple of secretly installing “malware” on older iPhones to force users to upgrade have reignited debate online, but available court records and past investigations tell a more nuanced story. A widely shared social media video features a woman claiming to be a former Apple software engineer. In the clip, she alleges that every time Apple released a new iPhone, older devices were intentionally slowed down through malicious software updates.

“I used to be a software engineer at Apple, and with every new phone that was released, malware was installed on the older phones to make you have to update,” she claims in the video.

The allegations quickly spread across platforms including X, TikTok and Facebook, with many users linking the claims to Apple’s infamous 2017 “Batterygate” scandal.

In 2017, Apple admitted that certain iOS software updates reduced the performance of older iPhones with aging batteries. The company said the feature was designed to prevent unexpected shutdowns caused by degraded lithium-ion batteries, particularly in older models such as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 series. However, critics accused Apple of failing to clearly inform users that software updates were throttling CPU performance.

The backlash triggered lawsuits and investigations in several countries. Apple later apologised for poor communication and agreed to multiple legal settlements, including a US class-action settlement worth up to US$500 million. According to reports from technology publication MacRumors, some qualifying users eventually received compensation payouts exceeding US$90.

Despite the renewed controversy, there is currently no verified evidence that Apple installed malware on older iPhones. Cybersecurity analyst Tendai Muchengeti said the viral claims exaggerate what courts actually found.

“The issue was undisclosed performance throttling linked to battery management, not malware,” he explained. “Malware is malicious software intended to damage systems or steal information. That was never established in the Apple cases.”

Legal findings against Apple focused mainly on transparency and consumer rights rather than intentional sabotage. Technology expert Sarah Chikowore said many users confused battery-related throttling with deliberate device destruction.

“When batteries degrade, phones can become unstable. Apple chose to slow performance to avoid shutdowns, but the company failed to communicate this properly,” she said.

The viral posts also reference recent criticism surrounding Apple’s heavily marketed Apple Intelligence features, including enhanced Siri capabilities that some consumers claim have not fully materialised. Social media users have circulated claims of a new settlement involving refunds of up to US$95 for recent iPhone buyers. However, no final court-approved settlement matching the widely shared payout claims had been officially confirmed at the time of publication.

The resurfacing of the Batterygate controversy highlights how old scandals are often repackaged online with misleading claims. Digital media researcher Admire Chibuwe warned that viral content frequently mixes real events with false or exaggerated narratives.

“People remember the original scandal, so adding dramatic language like ‘malware’ makes the story spread faster, even when the facts do not support it,” he said.

While Apple’s handling of older iPhones remains controversial, experts say claims that the company secretly installed malware to force upgrades remain unproven.

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