Want to show an iPhone on TV? These are some of Apple's ridiculous licensing rules

It’s not uncommon for TV shows and movies to use iPhones, but we’ve frequently heard that Apple doesn’t allow villains to be shown using its products. Now, a TV series has abandoned iPhones altogether in favor of Android devices due to Apple’s extensive list of rules.

La Presse reports (via Mobile Syrup and iPhone in Canada) that characters in Canadian series Antigang now use Android devices instead of iPhones. More specifically, the production is mostly using Samsung Galaxy phones.

Why did this TV series switch to Android?

The reason for this switch is apparently Apple’s extensive list of legal requirements. Apple doesn’t allow its phones to be used in an illegal or defamatory context. This indeed means that “good” characters on the TV show use an iPhone while “bad” characters have to use a different model. The company also stipulates that no character can destroy or damage an iPhone, use a damaged iPhone (e.g., one with a broken screen), or harass others online via an iPhone.

The requirements don’t stop here, as Apple doesn’t allow its phones to be hacked and doesn’t permit a character to hold an iPhone while driving. The company also says the phone can’t be hidden in a protective case, while the Apple logo on the back of the device must be shown. Finally, iPhones must be period-appropriate if used in a flashback. That means an iPhone 4 should be used in a flashback to 2010 or 2011, rather than an iPhone 5s and newer.

Aside from the iPhone hardware, Apple apparently didn’t allow iMessage, FaceTime, AirTags, or the Voice Memo icon to be shown on-screen.

What’s particularly interesting and perplexing is that this reportedly isn’t a sponsorship deal or any other kind of commercial partnership. The production company wasn’t receiving free devices or money in exchange for featuring Apple devices. I’m therefore just surprised it took this long for the production company to drop iPhones if they were following all these marketing rules without getting paid.