Spotify has had to wait a long time, but Apple has finally approved a number of features for the music service. Here’s what you’ll notice.
Apple Allows New Spotify Features
An update is coming for Spotify, as Apple has announced that it will allow an update that the music service submitted a long time ago. The renewed version of the application refers to the Spotify website. Apple previously did not allow this, but that has now changed. Spotify is now allowed to show the current subscription prices and refer to offers on the website.
It is striking that Apple now allows the update, because earlier the company claimed that Spotify did not comply with the rules of the App Store. In those rules, by Apple the Music Streaming Services Entitlement (EEA), states that music services must pay a 27 percent commission to the company. Spotify did not agree to this and that does not seem to have changed.
Spotify shows prices and offers
Now Spotify has finally been given permission to show the prices in the app. In addition, the music service is allowed to refer to its own website, where users regularly pay less for subscriptions due to offers. Apple thus allows a number of new functions that Spotify has long been waiting for. However, the music service cannot make optimal use of these features due to other restrictions from Apple.
Spotify is not allowed to link directly to subscriptions, so users still cannot take out a subscription via the app. Apple receives a 30 percent commission for all subscriptions taken out via an app in the App Store. Spotify refuses this, which means you cannot choose a new subscription directly via the app. You have to go to the Spotify website yourself.
Apple vs. Spotify battle continues
Apple gives Spotify a little more freedom by showing subscription prices in the App Store, but the music service is not satisfied yet. Spotify has already filed a response with the European Commission, in which it requests that Apple be forced to allow direct links to the website in the app. According to the music service, Apple maintains an unfair competitive position by blocking direct links.
In 2019, Apple was already fined a huge amount by the European Commission after Spotify filed a complaint against the company. There is a good chance that the EU will now look at Spotify’s request again, to check whether Apple is adhering to the rules. Apple may then still be forced to allow direct links to Spotify’s subscriptions.
Changes at Spotify
At the moment, the subscription prices are still hidden in the Spotify app. To see an overview of all prices, go to ‘Settings and privacy > Account > View available subscriptions’. Here you can see all options, but to switch subscriptions you have to go to the Spotify website yourself. Apple does not yet allow Spotify itself to link to the web page.
It is quite possible that Spotify will eventually place the subscription prices in a more prominent place in the application, especially if direct linking is allowed by Apple. Users can then be pointed to offers, or the benefits of other subscriptions. That remains to be seen, of course, but it is clear that the battle between Apple and Spotify continues.
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