Spotify finally ditched App Store purchases

A few years ago, Spotify removed the subscription option for new users through in-app purchases in its iOS app. However, those who already had an active subscription were not affected – until now, that is. Spotify is now notifying subscribers that it will no longer support iOS app subscriptions, including for existing customers.

Users who still subscribe to Spotify via in-app purchases on iOS have received an email stating that Apple’s billing system is no longer a valid payment method, Variety reports. As a result, users who still want to keep their Spotify Premium subscription will have to re-subscribe to it through the Spotify website.

“We are contacting you because when you signed up for Spotify Premium, you used Apple’s billing system to subscribe. Unfortunately, we no longer accept this payment method. “If you want to keep your Premium subscription, you will need to re-subscribe after the last billing period has ended and your account has been upgraded to a Free account.”

Back in 2016, Spotify decided to remove the ability to subscribe to its premium service through in-app purchases on iOS in order to bypass the 30% fee charged by Apple. Prior to this, the company charged iOS users a higher price for music subscriptions.

But of course, longtime Spotify Premium users who still subscribe to the platform via the iOS app still pay a higher price, and hence Spotify still has to give 30% of the iPhone and iPad subscription to Apple. Now Spotify will no longer have to pay a commission to Apple as the app has gotten rid of in-app purchases .

In the past, developers were not allowed to redirect users to pay for a subscription on external websites. However, Apple decided to change this policy after facing scrutiny from governments around the world. As of March 2022, iOS apps may prompt users to sign up for paid services through the website if the app does not use Apple’s in-app purchases.

Spotify isn’t the only app to drop native App Store subscriptions. In 2018, Netflix also removed this option from their iOS app. Last year, following a policy change in the App Store, the Netflix iOS app prompted users to complete their subscription on the platform’s website.

The European Digital Markets Act, which has been passed by the EU Parliament, will soon force Apple to allow developers to distribute iOS apps outside of the App Store. This will also have a significant impact on Apple, as the App Store has become an important source of income for the company.