Two class actions accusing Google of quietly using Android phones’ cellular data have produced separate settlements: a $350 million deal in the California state case Csupo v. Google LLC, and a $135 million deal in the federal companion case Taylor v. Google LLC, which covers Android users in the rest of the United States. Together, the Google Android lawsuit California settlement and its federal counterpart resolve claims that Android devices sent data to Google in the background over cellular networks, consuming allowances that users had paid their carriers for. Neither settlement has been finally approved yet, and per-person payments are expected to be small.
What Google Was Accused of Doing
The plaintiffs alleged that Android phones sent information to Google’s servers even when the device was idle and no apps were open. Because those transfers ran over cellular networks rather than Wi-Fi, they used data that customers had purchased from their wireless carriers. The federal complaint estimated the practice consumed roughly $300 million worth of cellular data per year across all Android users, and alleged that users could not fully disable the transfers.{1ClassAction.org. $135M Google Settlement Resolves Class Action Over Alleged Android Cellular Data Collection}
Google denied wrongdoing in both cases. The company said the transfers were standard system behavior needed for security updates and reliability, and that users consented through device settings and terms of service. After the California jury verdict, Google spokesperson José Castañeda said the jury had “misunderstood technical aspects of Android services and consent.”
The $350 Million California Settlement (Csupo)
The California case was filed in 2019 in Santa Clara County Superior Court by Attila Csupo, Andrew Burke, and Kerry Hecht. The class covers California residents who used Android phones with cellular data plans, with a class period running from August 9, 2016 onward.{2Cellular Data Class Action. Csupo v. Google LLC Settlement}
Trial began on June 2, 2025, in San Jose. On July 1, 2025, the jury returned a verdict for the class and awarded $314,626,932 in damages.{3Reuters. Google Hit With $314 Million U.S. Verdict in Cellular Data Class Action} Google announced plans to appeal. Instead of years of appellate litigation, the parties negotiated a $350 million settlement, which also resolved pending motions for interest, costs, and injunctive relief. As part of the deal, the parties agreed to ask the court to vacate the jury verdict and enter a new judgment on the settlement terms.{4Cellular Data Class Action. Csupo v. Google LLC – FAQs}
The settlement covers an estimated 14 million California Android users. All funds are being held in an interest-bearing account pending court approval and distribution. A final approval hearing was scheduled for February 24, 2026.
The $135 Million Federal Settlement (Taylor)
The federal case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, by Joseph Taylor, Mick Cleary, and Jennifer Nelson, and assigned to Magistrate Judge Virginia K. DeMarchi. The class covers any person in the United States who used an Android device with a cellular data plan from November 12, 2017 through the date of final settlement approval, excluding anyone who is part of the California Csupo class.{5Federal Cellular Class Action. Taylor v. Google LLC Settlement}
Trial had been scheduled for early 2026. Before it began, the parties agreed to a $135 million non-reversionary settlement, meaning any leftover money cannot revert to Google. Judge DeMarchi granted preliminary approval on March 5, 2026, finding the deal “potentially fair” and “reasonable” and acknowledging that Google had “non-trivial arguments” against class certification and that calculating damages would have been challenging at trial.{6Justia. Taylor v. Google LLC, Preliminary Approval Order}
Beyond the money, the settlement requires Google to make changes to Android:
- Disclose “passive” data transfers to users during the Android setup process and obtain express consent.
- “Gray out” the Google Play services mobile background data toggle so users are not misled into thinking they can turn the transfers off.
- Keep these changes in place for at least two years.
Who Is Eligible for Which Settlement
The two settlements are mutually exclusive. If you are a California resident who used an Android phone with a cellular data plan on or after August 9, 2016, you fall within the Csupo class. If you used an Android device with a cellular data plan anywhere else in the United States on or after November 12, 2017, you fall within the Taylor class. California residents in the Csupo class are specifically excluded from the federal settlement, so a person is covered by one deal or the other, not both.{5Federal Cellular Class Action. Taylor v. Google LLC Settlement}
How Much You Can Expect and How You’ll Be Paid
Individual payments in the federal Taylor settlement are capped at $100, but plaintiffs’ counsel does not expect payouts to reach that level. With an estimated 100 million eligible class members, per-person payments are projected at roughly one dollar after fees, costs, and administration are deducted.{7Time. Google Android Settlement Payment}
Payments in the federal case will be issued electronically through PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle to accounts associated with the email address or phone number Google has on file. Class members who do not select a payment method may receive a check at their last known address.{1ClassAction.org. $135M Google Settlement Resolves Class Action Over Alleged Android Cellular Data Collection}
The California settlement fund is larger relative to its class of about 14 million people, but the file does not spell out a per-person estimate. Distribution details for Csupo have not been announced pending final approval.
Key Dates and Current Status
For the federal Taylor settlement, the deadline to object or exclude yourself was May 29, 2026. A final approval hearing is scheduled for June 23, 2026, before Judge DeMarchi. No payments will be distributed until the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.{5Federal Cellular Class Action. Taylor v. Google LLC Settlement}
For the California Csupo settlement, the final approval hearing was scheduled for February 24, 2026. Payments have not yet been distributed, and the fund remains in an interest-bearing account.{2Cellular Data Class Action. Csupo v. Google LLC Settlement}
If you think you qualify, the official settlement websites for each case are the place to check your status and, in the federal case, select an electronic payment method before checks are mailed to last-known addresses.