Spotify dodges ‘Apple tax’, can now push external payments on iOS app

Spotify

After nearly a decade of tension with Apple, Spotify has secured a major win: the music streaming giant can now share pricing details and link users to external payment options directly within its iPhone app. The long-sought change follows a U.S. court ruling that found Apple willfully violated an order requiring it to ease restrictions on developers’ ability to guide users to off-app purchases.

“After nearly 10 years, Spotify can now show pricing + direct purchase links in our app for US users.  This is a huge win for consumer choice and tech innovation. At Spotify, we’ve always believed an open internet is a much better internet - so we couldn’t be happier to see this process being made,” wrote Daniel Ek, CEO, Spotify, in a post on social media platform X.

The update, version 9.0.40, is now rolling out on the App Store, making Spotify one of the first major platforms to take advantage of this new flexibility.

The update allows Spotify to show clear pricing information and link users to its website to manage subscriptions—avoiding Apple’s standard 30% cut on in-app transactions. It can also promote limited-time offers directly within the app, a first for its US iOS experience.

While Apple says it will comply with the ruling, it strongly disagrees with the decision and has vowed to appeal. US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled Apple acted willfully in violating the prior order, further cementing criticism that the company has been setting up anticompetitive hurdles.

Spotify called the change a milestone and a fresh start for developers seeking a fairer mobile marketplace. “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,” said Spotify on X.