Apple has agreed to pay up to $14.4 million to Canadians in a proposed settlement of a class action lawsuit, following a scandal related to its software and batteries in its iPhones.

Karmi Levy, a technology expert from London, Ontario, said: "It’s time to search the drawers for that old phone you no longer use."

Apple, dubbed "Batterygate," faced allegations that it provided consumers with software that slowed down performance of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 models to encourage users to buy newer and more expensive iPhones.

Under the Canadian iPhone management procedure, Apple will pay Canadians an amount ranging from $11.1 million up to $14.4 million, and consumers will receive up to $150 for each affected phone.

Anyone who owns an iPhone 6 or iPhone 7 and downloaded a new version of the iOS operating system before December 21, 2016, is eligible for the refund.

Apple faced lawsuits after it was revealed that software updates might slow down performance speeds on older iPhones, and while some customers complained that Apple was deliberately and knowingly releasing software updates that slowed performance speeds, Apple claimed in the settlement that this was not the case.

Levy said: "As part of this decision, Apple denied the allegations that it slowed speed to force consumers to buy new phones, and accepts no fault."

Levy added that the proposed settlement in Canada comes following a similar lawsuit in the United States where Apple paid consumers half a billion dollars.

Levy continued: "This was a global problem, and for Apple, it will have to cut many checks to settle it."

The settlement must be approved by the Supreme Court of British Columbia on January 29, and if approved, consumers will have to fill out a claim form with their iPhone’s serial number, which many people might no longer have.

Levy said: "You must have the phone or a record proving that you owned the phone with that specific serial number, and if you traded or sold the phone, you might not be lucky."

If you have an iPhone 6 or iPhone 7 but it disappeared a long time ago because you sold it or replaced it, you might be able to find the serial number in an old contract or phone bill.

Information on how to file a claim can be found on the class action website if the British Columbia court approves the settlement.

CTV News contacted Apple Canada regarding the proposed settlement but did not receive a response.