A video circulating on X on 10 November 2026 has reignited allegations that Apple deliberately slowed older iPhones to encourage customers to upgrade.
A woman claiming to be a former Apple software engineer alleges that the company installed malware on older devices whenever it launched a new phone, although the clip provides no evidence establishing her identity, employment history or claims.
The accusation draws comparisons with Apple's 2017 Batterygate controversy, when the company acknowledged using software to manage performance on certain older iPhones.
The issue has also remained the subject of legal proceedings in the UK, with a Competition Appeal Tribunal ruling in March 2026 allowing parts of a consumer claim against Apple to continue.
Apple's iPhone Performance Controversy Goes Beyond Software Updates
Batterygate emerged after iPhone owners noticed that some older devices became slower following software updates.
Apple eventually acknowledged introducing a performance management feature through iOS 10.2.1, released on 23 January 2017, to reduce unexpected shutdowns associated with ageing lithium-ion batteries.
As batteries deteriorate, their ability to deliver peak power can decline. Apple's software responded by managing processor performance under certain conditions, potentially affecting how quickly applications launched and how smoothly some devices operated.
Former software engineer at Apple is whistleblowing
— Deep Leaks (@DeepLeaksHQ) November 9, 2026
She says whenever Apple launches a new phone, they would push an update to older iPhones with malware to slow them down. This pushes people to upgrade
“I used to be a software engineer at Apple, and with every new phone that… pic.twitter.com/Uk1UA1RYaa
Apple did not initially explain how the feature could affect iPhone performance. On 28 December 2017, it publicly addressed the issue, explaining its battery management approach and denying that it deliberately slowed phones to encourage upgrades.
The UK Competition and Markets Authority later investigated whether customers had been properly informed.
In May 2019, Apple agreed to provide clearer information about battery health and performance management, but the regulatory action did not establish that it installed malware to force upgrades.
2026 Court Ruling Keeps Apple's Batterygate Dispute Alive
The legal dispute continued in March 2026, when the Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled in Gutmann v Apple Inc [2026] CAT 20. The case, brought by consumer representative Justin Gutmann, challenges Apple's handling of performance management software on certain older iPhones.
Apple sought to have the entire claim dismissed, but the tribunal allowed parts of it to proceed. It found that alleged failures to inform customers about performance management could form grounds for a competition law claim, although it did not rule that Apple had broken the law.
The tribunal also limited the case, excluding certain claims involving software installed before phones were used and installations after March 2018, when iOS 11.3 gave users greater control over performance management.
The proceedings concern transparency and consumer choice, not allegations that Apple installed malware to force upgrades.
Former Apple Engineer Provides No Evidence of Malware
In the viral clip, the woman says that older phones were deliberately affected whenever Apple released a new model. She describes the alleged software as malware and claims its purpose was to make customers believe their devices were malfunctioning.
The post does not identify her, provide evidence of her employment or name the software allegedly involved.
It also contains no internal communications, source code, technical analysis or documentation connecting updates to new iPhone launches.
Its accompanying claim that Apple's conduct was proven in court is also misleading. The 2026 tribunal judgment allows parts of the Batterygate competition claim to proceed, but does not establish that Apple secretly infected older devices.
For now, the woman's identity and claims remain unverified. Apple says its performance management feature is designed to prevent unexpected shutdowns caused by ageing batteries, but there is no independent evidence that it deliberately installed malware on older iPhones to force upgrades.
