Google Android $135 Million Settlement, You’re Automatically In But Here’s What You Must Do to Actually Get Paid

If you used an Android mobile device to access the internet through a cellular network at any time from November 12, 2017, to the present, and you are not a class member in Csupo v. Google LLC, you could get money from a $135 million settlement. The settlement received preliminary court approval on March 5, 2026, and covers over 100 million Android users across the United States. The catch? Most people will never see a dollar because they don’t know they need to take one simple step.

Quick Facts

Field	Detail
Case Name	Taylor v. Google LLC
Case Number	5:20-cv-07956-VKD
Court	U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
Settlement Amount	$135,000,000
Estimated Class Size	~100 million U.S. Android users
Payout Per Person	Up to $100 (pro-rata — final amount TBD)
Claim Form Required	No — automatic distribution
Payment Method Deadline	May 29, 2026
Opt-Out / Objection Deadline	May 29, 2026
Final Approval Hearing	June 23, 2026
California Users Eligible	No — covered by separate $314.6M state settlement
Settlement Administrator	Angeion Group
Official Settlement Website	FederalCellularClassAction.com
Administrator Phone	1-844-655-4255
Administrator Email	[email protected]
Settlement Status	Preliminarily Approved

Where Things Stand Right Now

• The settlement received preliminary court approval on March 5, 2026, and the official settlement website at FederalCellularClassAction.com is now live.
• The deadline for exclusion and objection is May 29, 2026. The final approval hearing is scheduled for June 23, 2026.
• Compensation will begin to be distributed to class members only after final approval is granted and any appeals are resolved.

What Did Google Actually Do to Android Users?

The core complaint is straightforward: Google was using up people’s cellular data allowances without asking. The plaintiffs alleged Google’s Android operating system used consumers’ cellular data even when their devices were idle or connected to Wi-Fi — “while sitting seemingly idle on the plaintiffs’ nightstands as they sleep,” as the lawsuit put it — secretly sending data back to Google’s servers for its own purposes.

The plaintiffs said Google could have made these transfers happen only when devices were connected to Wi-Fi but instead chose to use cellular data. That choice cost users money every month — money they paid their carriers for data Google quietly consumed.

One of the more troubling allegations involves the “allow background data usage” toggle. Plaintiffs claimed this setting, which logically implies it would stop background data transfers when switched off, failed to actually prevent those transfers — meaning users who thought they were protecting their data may have been given a false sense of control.

Who Qualifies for This Settlement?

You may qualify if all of the following apply to you:

• You live in the United States
• You used an Android mobile device to access the internet through a cellular data network operated by a mobile carrier at any time from November 12, 2017, through the date the settlement receives final approval
• You are not a class member in Csupo v. Google LLC, the related California-only state case — California residents were covered by a separate $314.6 million settlement resolved in July 2025

No proof of purchase is required. About 60% of open settlements don’t require proof of purchase, and this Google case is among them — which lowers the bar considerably for the roughly 100 million Android users who could potentially qualify.

Related article: Arby’s False Advertising Lawsuit, Did You Get Less Meat Than the Menu Showed?

How Much Money Will You Receive?

Eligible class members will receive a pro-rata cash payment from the net settlement fund, capped at a maximum of $100 per person. That $100 is the ceiling, not the floor.

Plaintiffs’ counsel indicated they may seek up to $39.8 million in fees from the $135 million fund. That would leave roughly $95 million split among 100 million or more eligible users. Plaintiffs’ counsel does not expect payments to approach the $100 cap, according to the judge’s preliminary approval order. The actual amount each person receives depends entirely on how many class members participate and what remains after fees and administrative costs are deducted.

How to Sign Up and Make Sure You Actually Get Paid

This is the part most people miss. No claim form is required to benefit from this settlement — class members who do not exclude themselves will automatically receive settlement benefits. But automatic does not mean guaranteed.

The settlement administrator recommends that class members complete the payment election form to ensure their payout gets issued successfully and to their preferred account. If you skip this step, the administrator will still attempt to reach you — but many people never receive their money because payment notices end up in spam folders or contact details are outdated.

Here is exactly what to do:

Step 1 — Check your email inbox and spam folder Search for messages regarding the “Federal Cellular Class Action.” Many users should have already received a notice via email or traditional mail containing a “Notice ID” and a “Confirmation Code.”

Step 2 — Visit the official settlement website Go to FederalCellularClassAction.com — this is the only legitimate site for this settlement. Do not use any third-party sites or pay anyone to file on your behalf.

Step 3 — Log in with your Notice ID and Confirmation Code Class members must log into the website using the Notice ID and Confirmation Code found on their copy of the settlement notice.

Step 4 — Select your preferred payment method Choose your preferred payment method — such as direct deposit, Zelle, or Venmo — and provide your contact information as requested.

Step 5 — Submit before the deadline Class members who wish to receive their payment via direct deposit or another method must select their preferred payment method on the settlement website before the deadline.

Step 6 — Save your confirmation Screenshot or write down your submission confirmation. Keep it until payment arrives.

Didn’t receive a notice? If you believe you qualify but haven’t received a notice, contact the administrator, Angeion Group, at [email protected] or call 1-844-655-4255.

Estimated time to complete: 5 minutes.

What Does “Opt Out” Mean and Should You Do It?

May 29 is not when you file to get paid. It is the last day to opt out or formally object to the settlement terms. This is a critical distinction that confuses a lot of people.

Missing May 29 means you cannot later file a separate, individual lawsuit against Google over these same data collection claims. If you have a strong personal case and want to pursue more than your pro-rata share of the $135 million fund, you must opt out by that date. For the overwhelming majority of Android users, there is no reason to opt out. The automatic payment requires zero effort.

What Else Does the Settlement Require Google to Do?

The settlement is not just about money. Google will also update its Google Play Terms of Service, a page in Google’s Help Center, and the setup screens shown to Android users during device setup to disclose the conduct at issue in the lawsuit and ask users to consent to it. Google will also disable a related setting on Android devices.

As part of the deal, Google must add a clear “Accept” button to the device setup flow, ensuring users specifically agree to cellular data use for background system services. These are structural changes that apply to every Android user going forward — whether or not they participate in the settlement.

How Does This Compare to the California Settlement?

Android users in California are excluded from this $135 million federal settlement. They were covered by a previous $314.6 million Google settlement resolved in July 2025 that covered approximately 14 million California Android users.

That California verdict — significantly larger than this federal settlement — set the tone for how seriously courts are taking these allegations. It also signals that the $135 million federal settlement, while substantial, may actually undervalue the harm done to users if you compare it to the per-user damages implied by the California outcome.

Key Dates

Milestone	Date
Lawsuit originally filed	November 2020
California state jury verdict	July 2025
Federal settlement agreement submitted to court	January 27, 2026
Preliminary approval granted	March 5, 2026
Settlement website goes live	March/April 2026
Opt-Out / Objection / Payment Method Deadline	May 29, 2026
Final Approval Hearing	June 23, 2026
Expected Payment Distribution	TBD — after final approval and any appeals

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No claim form is required to benefit from the settlement. Class members who do not exclude themselves will automatically receive settlement benefits. However, you should still visit the settlement website and select your payment method to make sure the payment reaches you.

How do I sign up for the Android class action settlement? 

Visit FederalCellularClassAction.com, log in with the Notice ID and Confirmation Code from your settlement notice, and select your preferred payment method. If you haven’t received a notice, email [email protected] or call 1-844-655-4255.

How much will I get from the Android settlement?

 The payout is capped at $100 per class member, but the actual amount depends on how many class members are in the final pool and how much remains after attorney fees and administration costs are deducted. Final amounts are not yet confirmed.

I live in California — can I still file? 

No. California Android users are excluded from this federal settlement. They were covered by the separate Csupo v. Google LLC state case, which settled for $314.6 million in July 2025.

Is this settlement legitimate or a scam?

 Always verify using the official case name and number: Taylor et al. v. Google LLC, Case No. 5:20-cv-07956-VKD. Never pay to file a claim. The only official website is FederalCellularClassAction.com.

When will I receive my payment? 

Preliminary approval is secured. Final approval is scheduled for June 23, 2026. If no major objections derail the hearing, payments could arrive by the end of 2026.

What if I miss the May 29 deadline? 

If you miss the opt-out deadline, you are automatically included in the class and bound by the settlement’s terms. You will not be able to file a separate individual lawsuit against Google over these same claims. You may still receive a payment, but you lose the right to pursue your own case.

Will this settlement payment affect my taxes?

 Most class action settlements that reimburse for personal losses or overcharges are not considered taxable income. However, every financial situation is different. Consult a tax professional regarding how this specific payment might impact your filings.

Sources & References

• Official Settlement Website — FederalCellularClassAction.com

Last Updated: April 13, 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.