Paying for Spotify on iPhone Just Got a Lot Better
1 min read
Summary
In what has been described as a significant development in the long-running dispute between the two companies, a US judge has ruled against Apple in its dispute with Spotify over the music streaming platform’s ability to promote its independent Premium service within its iPhone app.
Spotify has now been permitted to update its app for US users to include features such as displaying its Premium pricing structures and promotions and allowing sign-ups via external links.
The ruling follows antitrust charges bought against Apple by Fortnite creator Epic Games, which forced the iPhone maker to allow alternate external payment routes in apps, thus circumventing Apple’s 30% fee on all in-app purchases.
Spotify has long protested against Apple’s cuts of its revenue and its rules regarding in-app payments.
It suspended the use of Apple’s in-app payment system in 2019, forcing users to sign up to Premium via the Spotify website, which led to Apple blocking its update from the App Store.
The changes are expected to result in higher uptake of Spotify Premium over Apple’s own music streaming service, Apple Music.
