Spotify Submits iOS App Update With Out-of-App Purchase Options

Spotify today submitted an app update to Apple that will include information on Spotify plan costs and options to subscribe through weblinks without using the in-app purchase system. Spotify will not need to pay a fee to Apple when customers subscribe to the service using alternate payment methods in the Spotify app.

General Spotify Feature
In a blog post announcing the changes, Spotify said that yesterday's ruling "delivers the benefits that all consumers deserve around the world," calling it a great day for Spotify users in the United States. Here's what Spotify says consumers will be able to do in the updated Spotify app:

  • Can finally see how much something costs in our app, including pricing details on subscriptions and information about promotions that will save money;
  • Can click a link to purchase the subscription of choice, upgrading from a Free account to one of our Premium plans;
  • Can seamlessly click the link and easily change Premium subscriptions from Individual to a Student, Duo, or Family plan;
  • Can use other payment options beyond just Apple's payment system--we provide a wider range of options on our website; and
  • Going forward, this opens the door to other seamless buying opportunities that will directly benefit creators (think easy-to-purchase audiobooks)

Spotify said that it's "absurd" that it hasn't been able to offer these "basic services" to customers prior to now, and that "meaningful parts of Apple's anticompetitive barriers" have now been addressed, a change that is "long overdue."

According to Spotify, the decision could "unlock real opportunities for creators building their business and sharing their art with fans through Spotify." Publishers will soon be able to sell their audiobooks through the Spotify platform, for example.

Spotify, Epic Games, Patreon, and other app developers are submitting updates to the App Store with external purchase options. Apple has been ordered to allow developers to add links to external purchase options with no fee, "effective immediately."

Tag: Spotify

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Top Rated Comments

SanderEvers Avatar
10 hours ago at 03:48 pm
My question to Spotify is, can I listen to music on your platform and just pay the artist / publisher of the song and not you?
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Think|Different Avatar
10 hours ago at 03:39 pm
Of course all these salty companies can turn around these developmental updates fast, while their customers wait years on years for wanted or promised QOL updates to their products. Despicable.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
damienDevZ Avatar
10 hours ago at 03:39 pm

Publishers will soon be able to sell their audiobooks through the Spotify platform, for example.
Will we be able to buy audiobooks outside of Spotify without providing them commission and have them host it and play it through Spotify? Or will Spotify demand a cut for this?
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wbeasley Avatar
10 hours ago at 03:50 pm
It wont be cheaper outside the AppStore.

It will just put the 15% commission into Spotify's hands instead.

I got sick of their long promised features.
And bad company BS.
Went back to Apple Music, took my playlists over, 99% succeeded. All good.

Not going back to Spotify. Nasty company like Epic. Whinge Whinge Whinge.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
damienDevZ Avatar
10 hours ago at 03:52 pm

Years ago, that was the only way to do it, and it was a pain to maintain, very time consuming plus you had to pay someone to create it and maintain it. Plus all the legalities with eCommerce, privacy, security, etc.
Why do you think people embraced the AppStore when it launched?
I remember those days. Remember having to store application keys in a note somewhere or trying to reach out to a random dev for a refund or support. I don’t miss that. App Store solved all those problems.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TracesOfArsenic Avatar
10 hours ago at 03:40 pm
The software development world is healing.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)