Google $135M Android Settlement, Your Android Phone Was Draining Your Paid Data for Google Now There’s a $135M Settlement

A federal class action lawsuit accused Google of secretly using Android users’ paid cellular data to transmit information to its own servers — even when phones were locked, idle, and all apps were closed. Google agreed to pay $135 million to settle. U.S. Magistrate Judge Virginia DeMarchi granted preliminary approval in March 2026. Over 100 million Android users outside California are covered. Most will receive payment automatically — no claim form required. The final approval hearing is set for June 23, 2026.

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$135,000,000
Final Approval Hearing	June 23, 2026
Who Qualifies	U.S. Android users on cellular data, Nov. 12, 2017 – final approval date (California excluded)
Estimated Payout	Up to $100 per person, pro-rata
Claim Form Required	No — automatic payment for most members
Settlement Status	Preliminarily Approved (March 5, 2026)
Settlement Administrator	Angeion Group LLC
Official Website	FederalCellularClassAction.com

What Was Your Android Actually Sending Google Behind Your Back?

Plaintiffs alleged that Google specifically programmed Android devices to transfer data over cellular networks even when users reasonably believed it wouldn’t — such as when Google apps were closed, location sharing was disabled, or the phone was locked.

The lawsuit states that beginning November 12, 2017, Android devices transmitted information from system services to Google servers using cellular networks. These communications occurred in the background, including when users were not actively interacting with their devices and when screens were locked.

Plaintiffs claimed that some of these data transfers happened even when the device was idle and not in use, and that Google could have limited these transfers to Wi-Fi connections but chose not to. The lawsuit, filed as Taylor et al. v. Google LLC (Case No. 5:20-cv-07956-VKD) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleged this violated consumer protection and conversion law. Google denied wrongdoing.

You’re Probably In the Class — Here’s How to Check

Individuals who used an Android mobile device to access the internet through a cellular network in the United States at any time from November 12, 2017 to the present may qualify to receive a payment from the settlement. You also must not be a class member in Csupo v. Google LLC, which is a separate California-only case.

You likely qualify if:

• You used an Android phone with a carrier data plan (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) anywhere in the U.S. after November 12, 2017
• You are not a California resident (California users are covered by a separate $314.6 million settlement)
• You are not a Google employee or affiliated with the court

The settlement class covers all individuals in the United States who used mobile devices running the Android operating system to access the internet on cellular data networks operated by mobile carriers at any time between November 12, 2017 and the date of final approval.

If you owned an Android phone through a carrier — not just a Wi-Fi-only tablet — during any part of that window, you are almost certainly included.

Related article: $1.02M Avis Data Breach Settlement, Avis Stored Your Driver’s License, Credit Card, and Birthday Claim Your Share Before June 21, 2026

How Much Are You Actually Getting? The Honest Answer.

The net settlement fund is estimated to be around $85 million after attorney fees and administrative costs are deducted. Payments go out pro-rata — meaning the final amount per person depends on how many class members participate.

If participation is high, individual payments to each class member could range from approximately $1.01 to $1.48. If the class member participation rate falls closer to the median, payments to each class member would be around a few dollars. Payments are capped at a maximum of $100 per person, but plaintiffs’ counsel does not expect recoveries to approach that ceiling given the estimated 100 million eligible class members.

Beyond the cash, Google has agreed to update Google Play Terms of Service, help pages, and Android device setup screens to describe background data communications and cellular data use. New Android users will be required to provide express consent during device setup. Google must also disable a background data toggle that plaintiffs said never actually stopped the transfers.

No Claim Form — But You Should Still Do One Thing Now

This settlement is unusual: Android settlement class members will not need to do anything to automatically receive a one-time, pro-rated cash payment. Payments will be sent automatically to email addresses and phone numbers in Google’s systems.

However, you can improve your chances of getting paid quickly by taking one proactive step:

Step 1 — Watch your email. The settlement administrator, Angeion Group, will send notice emails to the address linked to your Google account. The email will include a Notice ID and confirmation code.

Step 2 — Select your payment method. Class members can submit a payment election online using the notice ID and confirmation code from their settlement notice. Electronic payment options may include Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, ACH transfer, or virtual Mastercard.

Step 3 — If you ignore the email, you may still get paid. For class members that do not submit a payment election, the settlement administrator will attempt to send an electronic payment automatically. But selecting your method ensures you control where the money goes.

Step 4 — Visit the official site to stay updated. Go to FederalCellularClassAction.com or call 1-844-655-4255 with questions. Administrator mailing address: Federal Cellular Class Action c/o Settlement Administrator, 1650 Arch St., Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Estimated time: 5 minutes if you receive the notice email.

Five Years From Lawsuit to Payday — The Timeline

Milestone	Date
Complaint Filed	November 12, 2020
Settlement Agreement Signed	December 23, 2025
Preliminary Approval Filed	January 27, 2026
Preliminary Approval Granted	March 5, 2026
Final Approval Hearing	June 23, 2026
Opt-Out / Objection Deadline	TBD (set by court order)
Expected Payment Date	TBD — after final approval and resolution of any appeals

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to file a claim form to get paid?

 No. Most class members will receive automatic payment sent to their PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or ACH account on file with Google. You should still watch for a notice email from Angeion Group and select your preferred payment method to speed up the process.

Is this settlement legitimate?

 Yes. Taylor et al. v. Google LLC (Case No. 5:20-cv-07956-VKD) is a real federal case filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Judge Virginia K. DeMarchi granted preliminary approval on March 5, 2026. The official settlement website is FederalCellularClassAction.com.

When will I receive my payment?

 Payments will be issued after the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved. The final approval hearing is June 23, 2026. Realistically, payments are unlikely before late 2026 or early 2027 if appeals are filed.

I live in California — am I covered by this settlement?

 No. The proposed settlement class excludes California-based Android users, who are covered by a separate case in Santa Clara County Superior Court that settled for $314.6 million in July 2025.

What if I no longer have the Android phone I used during that period? 

You may still qualify. Eligibility is based on your use of an Android device with cellular data between November 12, 2017, and the final approval date — not current device ownership. Watch the email address linked to your Google account.

Will this settlement payment affect my taxes? 

Possibly. Settlement payments that compensate for a loss of property or data use may or may not be taxable depending on your situation. The settlement administrator will provide a 1099 form if required. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your circumstances.

Do I need a lawyer to participate?

 No. This is an automatic-payment settlement. You do not need legal representation to receive your share. If you want to object to the settlement terms or opt out entirely, you may wish to consult an attorney before the court-set deadline.

What if I missed the deadline to opt out or object?

 If you miss the opt-out deadline, you remain in the class and give up your right to sue Google separately over these specific claims. Contact the settlement administrator at 1-844-655-4255 or [email protected] to ask whether the deadline has passed.

Sources & References

• Official Settlement Website: FederalCellularClassAction.com
• Court Filing — Motion for Preliminary Approval: U.S. District Court, N.D. Cal., Case No. 5:20-cv-07956-VKD (filed Jan. 27, 2026)
• Preliminary Approval Order: Courthouse News Service (March 5, 2026)
• News Coverage: Courthouse News Service — “Google, Android Users Near Final Approval of $135M Data Transfer Settlement”

Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.