Spotify says it has submitted an update to its iOS app that would allow U.S. users to access alternative payment options outside of Apple’s in-app system. The move comes just days after a landmark decision in the Epic Games v. Apple case, which ruled that Apple must allow developers to steer users to external payment methods — a significant shift that could impact the company’s grip on App Store revenues.
The ruling, issued on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, prohibits Apple from preventing developers from including “buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms” outside of the App Store. While Apple can still require developers to use its payment system for in-app purchases, the court said it could no longer block links or information about other payment options.
Spotify, which has long been one of Apple’s most vocal critics on App Store policies, shared the news of its app update in a blog post. “We’ve submitted an update to our iOS app that includes the ability for U.S. users to access payment options beyond Apple’s system,” the company said. “This marks an important step toward fairer practices for consumers and developers alike.”
If the update is approved, Spotify says:
Whether Apple will approve the update remains to be seen — a sticking point in the two companies’ ongoing feud. Spotify has previously accused Apple of blocking or delaying app updates that include references to alternative payments.
Spotify isn’t alone in testing the new legal boundaries. Earlier today, Patreon announced it also plans to submit an iOS app update that will allow creators to receive payments through channels outside of Apple’s ecosystem.
The Epic v. Apple lawsuit, which began in 2020 after Epic Games enabled direct payments in Fortnite and was swiftly banned from the App Store, has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over app store monopolies and developer rights. While Apple prevailed on most counts, the court’s latest injunction represents a rare win for developers in the fight for greater autonomy.
With Spotify and Patreon now testing Apple’s compliance with the ruling, developers and regulators alike are watching closely to see how the tech giant responds.