British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has revealed the surprising reason behind his decade-long abstinence from mobile phones: a protracted copyright lawsuit that began in 2015. The revelation came during the Sydney leg of his highly anticipated "+ – = ÷ x" (Mathematics) Tour, where Sheeran addressed a crowd of 70,000 at Accor Stadium. The legal battle, which he described as a significant part of his public profile in recent years, unexpectedly led to a profound personal reckoning and the creation of new music.
The tour commenced on Friday, February 14th, with Sheeran delivering a powerful performance of his global hits, including "Castle on the Hill," "Shape of You," and "Perfect." However, it was a mid-set interlude where the artist delved into the personal ramifications of a $100 million copyright infringement lawsuit. This legal challenge, filed in 2015, alleged that his 2014 smash hit "Thinking Out Loud" had unlawfully borrowed elements from Marvin Gaye’s 1973 classic, "Let’s Get It On." After an arduous eight-year legal process, a New York jury ultimately ruled in Sheeran’s favor in 2023, clearing him of the accusations.
The Unforeseen Consequences of a Legal Battle
Speaking to the vast Sydney audience, Sheeran candidly discussed the emotional and practical toll of the lawsuit. "In the last 10 years, if you have seen my name in the news it might be related to a lawsuit – a copyright lawsuit in 2015," he explained. He elaborated on the difficult position he found himself in, being accused of plagiarism for a song he created. His only recourse, he stated, was to engage in the legal process to demonstrate his innocence.
A pivotal element of the legal proceedings required Sheeran to surrender his electronic devices. Investigators were granted access to his phone and other digital tools to meticulously examine messages and files as part of the evidence. This demand for access to his personal communications unexpectedly became the catalyst for a significant life change.
A Digital Detox Initiated by Litigation
"All I’ll say is that I’m glad there’s nothing weird on them, you know," Sheeran quipped to the crowd, a touch of humor easing the gravity of the situation. He revealed that he has not owned a mobile phone since the lawsuit was initiated. This decision stemmed from his experience during a 2015 Australian tour, the same year the legal action began. It was at the conclusion of that tour that he decided to disconnect from his mobile device.
"I did a tour down here [in Australia] for Multiply in 2015 and I remember at the end of that tour, I switched that phone off and going, ‘I do not want to use a mobile phone again,’" Sheeran recounted. He explained that he transitioned to using email for all his communication needs, a practice he has maintained ever since. This voluntary digital detox was a direct response to the stress and invasiveness of the legal scrutiny he faced.
Rediscovering the Past Through an Old Device
The act of reactivating his old phone years later, prompted by the legal requirement, proved to be an unexpectedly emotional experience. "I opened it again for this lawsuit and I switched it on to go through the emails and text messages and that sort of stuff and it was like going through a time machine to right back to 2015," he shared. The digital archive, however, extended even further back, offering a portal to his life from 2007, when he first began using that particular phone number for texting.
The experience of sifting through years of digital correspondence was profound. "It proper like spun me out. I was like frozen in time," he admitted. He discovered conversations with friends who had since passed away, as well as messages from family members with whom he had lost touch. This immersion in his digital past, unearthed by the necessity of legal evidence, served as a powerful reminder of time’s passage and the ephemeral nature of personal connections.
From Litigation to Lyrical Inspiration
This deeply personal journey through his digital history ultimately provided the inspiration for a new song, titled "Old Phone." The track is featured on his recently released 2025 album, Play. Sheeran performed this poignant song for the Sydney stadium, offering fans a glimpse into the emotional landscape shaped by his legal tribulations.
Sheeran’s songwriting process is characterized by its direct connection to his life experiences, both positive and negative. "I find whenever anything negative happens in my life, I write a song about it and it somehow makes sense of that bad thing that’s happened," he told his fans. He applies this same approach to moments of joy and success, believing that articulating his feelings through music helps him process and understand them.
"Any song you hear of mine is basically like two-minute extremities. Either I feel a lot of this or I feel a lot of this… I find when the bad days happen, good songs come from it," he elaborated. This philosophy underscores his ability to transform personal challenges into universally relatable art, a hallmark of his enduring appeal.
A Deep Connection with Australian Audiences
Beyond the personal revelations, Sheeran also took a moment to express his enduring affection for his Australian fanbase. He reminisced about Australia being one of the first countries outside of the United Kingdom to wholeheartedly embrace his music. This early support, he noted, has fostered a unique and lasting bond.
"This is why I love coming back to Australia. When I first came here when I was like 19 or 20, the crowds have always been nuts," he said, eliciting cheers from the audience. He emphasized the consistent energy and enthusiasm of Australian concertgoers, regardless of the specific venue or occasion.
He further elaborated on his gratitude for the country’s role in his career trajectory. "Australia was the first place I had a hit outside of the UK… so I am super happy to start the tour here. It means a lot and I hope you know that," Sheeran stated passionately. This sentiment highlights the symbiotic relationship between the artist and his Australian supporters, a connection that continues to fuel his global success.
The "+ – = ÷ x" Tour is scheduled to continue with two more sold-out dates in Sydney before proceeding to Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Each performance promises to be an exploration of Sheeran’s expansive catalog, interwoven with the personal narratives that shape his celebrated artistry. His decision to forgo a mobile phone, born from legal adversity, has not only influenced his personal life but has also directly contributed to the creation of new music, offering fans a deeper understanding of the man behind the melodies.
