Spotify to Update App in the US, Offering New Payment Features and Transparency

Spotify has announced that it will be updating its app on iOS in the US to provide new payment features and more transparency. This follows after the verdict from U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, ruling that Apple was in “willful violation” of a 2021 injunction.

In a blog post, Spotify announced that it is swiftly pushing out a new update. Apple is legally being forced to stop restricting developers in how they handle off-app payment systems and subscriptions. As such, Spotify is bringing new features to US customers as soon as Apple approves the latest software update.

As detailed by the company, Spotify users in the US will soon be able to see how much something costs within the app. This includes pricing details on subscriptions as well as promotions and discounts. The new update will also include access to a link to purchase a subscription of choice. This of course, includes upgrading from the Free membership to the paid Premium option. Spotify’s latest update will also give users to ability to change paid subscription plans. Once available, users will be able to change from an Individual plan to a Student, Duo, or Family plan.

Spotify also reveals that users will be able to use alternative payment systems outside of Apple’s. “We provide a wider range of options on our website,” the company states.

In the blog post, Spotify states that “If all of this seems obvious and user-friendly, you’re right, and we agree—these are the kinds of improvements that any app should offer its users.” The blog post continues, “The fact that we haven’t been able to deliver these basic services, which were permitted by the judge’s order four years ago, is absurd.”

Much like Fortnite developer Epic Games, which was propelling the case against Apple in court, Spotify has been a very vocal critic of Apple’s App Store policies. This year, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek accused Apple of circumventing the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). In 2019, the company filed an antitrust suit with the European Commission, accusing Apple of imposing unfair restrictions on alternative music streaming services. In March 2024, Apple was charged a  €1.84 billion (about $2.7 billion CAD) fine.