# Spotify Breaks Free: iPhone App Update Offers Payment Choice After Apple’s Policy Shift

## Spotify Breaks Free: iPhone App Update Offers Payment Choice After Apple’s Policy Shift

Spotify users on iPhones in the US are in for a welcome change. An update to the Spotify app, version 9.0.40, is rolling out that finally allows direct links to Spotify’s website for subscription purchases, circumventing Apple’s in-app payment system and its associated fees. This marks a significant shift in Apple’s App Store policies and gives users more control over their Spotify subscriptions.

The change comes as a direct result of legal pressure stemming from Apple’s ongoing case against Epic Games. Following a court order, Apple has been forced to relax its grip on external payments, allowing developers to guide users towards alternative payment options outside the App Store.

“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 now give consumers lower prices, more control, and easier access to the Spotify experience.”

This means Spotify can now offer promotional pricing and subscription plans directly on its website, where transactions avoid Apple’s hefty 30% service charge on in-app purchases. While the update is rolling out, Spotify advises that it may take a little while for the new options to appear on every phone.

Previously, Apple had strict rules preventing developers from advertising or linking to external payment options, even forbidding mentioning cheaper prices outside the app. They also imposed a 27% charge on external payments. However, a recent court order put an end to those restrictions, requiring Apple to eliminate all fees, design restrictions, and “scary” pop-up language associated with external payments.

Spotify has been a long-standing critic of Apple’s restrictive payment policies, arguing that they stifle competition and limit user choice. This update marks a crucial step towards a fairer App Store ecosystem.

Spotify isn’t alone in seizing this opportunity. Patreon has also announced its intention to submit an update enabling external payments, and Epic Games is developing its own alternative payment processing system with lower fees than Apple’s. This shift signifies a broader trend towards more open and competitive app store practices, potentially benefiting developers and consumers alike. If you’re a Spotify user in the US, keep an eye out for the update to start enjoying more affordable subscription options.