Apple Approves Spotify’s US Update With External Payment Options

Spotify iOS external payment options

Apple has approved a new update for Spotify’s iOS app in the US that enables external payment options in the app. Spotify users in the US will also be able to see different subscription options in the app with pricing details, as well as information about promotional offers.

This app update comes after Apple updated its App Store guidelines yesterday to comply with a United States court decision regarding buttons, external links, and other calls to action in apps. The ruling from Federal Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers determined that Apple knowingly violated a 2021 ruling prohibiting the company from taking a 27% cut on external payments and restricting developers’ ability to communicate with their customers.

“After nearly a decade, this will finally allow us to freely show clear pricing information and links to purchase, fostering transparency and choice for U.S. consumers,” Spotify said today. “We can now give consumers lower prices, more control, and easier access to the Spotify experience. There is more work to do, but today represents a significant milestone for developers and entrepreneurs everywhere who want to build and compete on a more level playing field. It’s the opening act of a new era, and we could not be more ready for the show.”

Spotify, Epic Games, and other companies are now campaigning for Apple to remove its anticompetitive barriers in all parts of the world, but that’s far from guaranteed. “We strongly disagree,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said about the ruling when asked about it during the company’s FY25 Q2 earnings calls yesterday (via Deadline). “We have complied with the court’s order and we are going to appeal,” the exec added.

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Thurrott