Succession fans go wild over viral iPhone theory

As the fourth and final season of Succession nears its end, a viral theory about the significance of having an iPhone in the HBO series has set the internet alight. 

TikTok user @iwannabeonline went viral this month after he pointed out that Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Roman (Kieran Culkin), and cousin Greg (Nicholas Braun) all have iPhones, while Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) uses a Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

‘Not everyone using Apple phones [except] Tom. IYKYK,’ he captioned the video, which features images of the characters on their respective cellphones in the third episode of the season, Connor’s Wedding. 

The content creator was referring to the claim that Apple doesn’t allow villains to use iPhones — insinuating that this small detail is a sign that Tom is one of the bad guys. 

Apple allegedly doesn’t allow villains to use iPhones, and many eagle-eyed viewers noticed in the third episode of the season that Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) has a Samsung Galaxy phone 

‘Apple, they let you use iPhones in movies, but — and this is very pivotal if you’re watching a mystery movie — bad guys cannot have iPhones on camera,’ Knives Out director Rian Johnson told Vanity Fair in 2020. 

TikTok user @hunterdeutsch elaborated on the iPhone theory in his own video that was posted after the episode aired.  

‘Apple has some rules when it comes to who can use their phones in shows. First and foremost, they can never have a case on them. Secondly, it can never be with the villain. The villain can never use an iPhone, which is really interesting when it comes to Succession,’ he explained. 

‘Because, as we saw in this most recent episode, which was full of phone calls, one character did not have an iPhone, and that character was Tom. So what does this mean? 

‘It could mean nothing,’ he continued. ‘It could just be a production design choice to give him a different phone. No big deal. But, if it does follow the Apple rule, then it could mean a lot.’

He noted that Tom has aligned himself with the ‘old guard’ instead of the Roy children, including his estranged wife, Shiv (Sarah Snook), who also notably has an iPhone. 

TikTok user @hunterdeutsch shared his thoughts on the Succession iPhone theory in video that was posted after the episode aired, noting that it could be a red herring 

TikTok user @iwannabeonline also went viral this month after he pointed out that Tom has an Anroid and not an iPhone 

‘That puts him in clear opposition to succeed or do something even worse moving forward and make him the true villain of this show,’ he said. ‘I’m very excited to see this. I don’t know if this is true, but it’s a strong theory moving forward.’

Fans had mixed reactions to the theory, with some buying into it and others insisting it was just a red herring for eagle-eyed viewers. 

‘I totally noticed Tom’s phone. And I was actually shocked that the kids had them,’ one person responded. 

‘Tom is in his villain era and he has every right,’ someone else commented. 

‘I think this might be a red herring. They know people know Apple’s rules so they give Tom a non-iPhone to throw people off,’ another user weighed in. 

What’s interesting about the theory is that Kendall and Roman had used Androids in previous seasons before switching over to iPhones. 

As some fans pointed out, their villainous father, Logan (Brian Cox), also used an Android before his death. So does Gerri (J. Smith-Cameron). 

TikTok user @gigiontherun previously drew attention to the iPhone theory back in 2021 – when Roman was still using an Android

She pointed out that Kendall and Shiv (Sarah Snook) both had iPhones in the third season

Kendall previously had an Android (left) before switching over to an iPhone (right)

As some fans pointed out, their villainous father, Logan (Brian Cox), also used an Android before his death

TikTok user @gigiontherun previously drew attention to the iPhone theory back in 2021 — when Roman was still using an Android. 

‘So as many of us know, Rian Johnson spilled the beans a few years ago and said Apple won’t let bad guys have iPhones on camera. I’m an avid watcher of Succession, so, naturally, I had to apply that theory,’ she said. 

‘Logan Roy, no iPhone. Tom, no iPhone. Roman, no iPhone. Gerri, no iPhone. But you want to know who does have an iPhone? Kendall and Shiv. Kendall and Shiv both have iPhones.’

In a follow-up video, she noted that cousin Greg also has an iPhone to the delight of his fans who are rooting for him.

If the iPhone theory is correct, the Roy children and Greg are the ones to be rooting for this season, whereas Tom and Gerri are set to be the villains.