Spotify: Towards a More Efficient U.S. App for Payments Beyond Apple’s App Payment System and in the App Store

The new app is expected to replace Apple’s payment system and allow creators to accept payments outside of it. The planned update follows yesterday’s major Epic Games v. Apple ruling that blocks Apple from collecting fees on payments made outside of apps.

We used three principles to guide our decision in how we wanted to move forward: transparency, control, and stability. We will continue to keep our fans updated on any changes we make, and we will explore further action that we can take.

“In a victory for consumers, artists, creators, and authors, Apple has approved Spotify’s U.S. app update,” Spotify spokesperson Jeanne Moran told The Verge. “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. We can give consumers lower prices, more control and easier access to the service.

Can finally see how much something costs in our app, including pricing details on subscriptions and information about promotions that will save money; Can click a link to purchase the subscription of choice, upgrading from a Free account to one of our Premium plans;Can seamlessly click the link and easily change Premium subscriptions from Individual to a Student, Duo, or Family plan; Can use other payment options beyond just Apple’s payment system—we provide a wider range of options on our website; and Going forward, this opens the door to other seamless buying opportunities that will directly benefit creators (think easy-to-purchase audiobooks)

A 27 percent charge on external payments was included in Apple’s prior restrictions on how developers could advertise and link to external payment options. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers put an end to that this week, ordering Apple to end all fees, design restrictions, and “scary” pop-up language for external payments.