You can thank Fortnite for this Spotify change

Summary

Spotify is updating its iOS app in the US following a recent court decision in the Epic v. Apple legal battle.
Apple now has to allow external payments for in-app purchases for apps offered in the US App Store. This means apps can bypass Apple’s steep in-app purchase commission.
Other apps like Patreon are following Spotify’s lead in responding to new App Store guidelines. Fortnite will return to the App Store soon.

The past week has been tumultuous for Apple and its firm control of the

App Store
. In the latest chapter of the Epic v. Apple legal battle, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that, effective immediately, Apple must no longer impose “any commission or any fee on purchases that consumers make outside an app.”

This means that apps on the App Store can now allow US users to make payments on an external site without any restrictions whatsoever, something Apple has fervently fought against for almost half a decade in the Epic v. Apple case. This whole legal battle was sparked by Apple’s

removal of Fortnite from the App Store
in 2020 for allowing external payment methods, which sidestepped Apple’s commission on in-app purchases. Apple has denied any wrongdoing.

With the latest court injunction, Apple must now stop collecting commissions for in-app purchases not paid for through the App Store. Its new App Store guidelines specifically state, “there is no prohibition on an app including buttons, external links, or other calls to actions” in its US storefront for making external purchases (via 9to5Mac).

Shortly after its major victory in court, Epic swiftly announced the return of Fortnite to the App Store, and now other apps are announcing changes, with Spotify becoming the first to push out an update for its app in response to the new App Store guidelines.

Spotify

Premium Subscription: $12 per month
Free trial: Yes
Ad plans: Free with advertisements

I tried 3 different music streaming apps and this is the one I kept

I can’t break my habits.

Spotify’s iPhone app is now more transparent

Fortnite will return to the App Store “next week”

In response to the latest court injunction in the Epic v. Apple legal battle, Spotify issued a statement stating, “This is a great day for Spotify users in the U.S. We have just submitted a Spotify app update to Apple, which includes certain features we can now bring to our American users.”

These features include showing in-app promotional offers, clearer details on the cost of its subscription plans, and the ability to make external purchases through Spotify’s website.

US users will now be able to make purchases for subscription plans or change their current subscription plan directly through Spotify’s website within the app itself…

The biggest change is the ability to make external purchases. This means that on the Spotify app for iOS, US users will now be able to make purchases for subscription plans or change their current subscription plan directly through the app itself. This means Spotify will no longer be subject to Apple’s 30 percent commission charge on in-app purchases.

“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,” Spotify said in a statement to The Verge. “We can now give consumers lower prices, more control, and easier access to the Spotify experience.”

Spotify’s updated app to include all these changes was submitted to Apple earlier this week, and it has now been approved and is live. The updated app, version 9.0.40, is rolling out now on the App Store, so if you have Spotify on your iPhone or iPad, you should see it soon.

Spotify isn’t the only app pushing out changes in response to Apple’s updated guidelines. Patreon announced it was also planning on pushing out an update soon to make similar changes to its app, saying in a statement (via The Verge) “the iOS app is the number one platform for fan engagement on Patreon, and we believe this ruling allows creators to get paid without giving Apple 30 percent.”

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, announced on X that Fortnite will be returning to the App Store in the US “next week.” He even proposed a peace proposal to Apple on X, saying “If Apple extends the court’s friction-free, Apple-tax-free framework worldwide, we’ll return Fortnite to the App Store worldwide and drop current and future litigation on the topic.”

Apple says it “strongly disagrees” with the court’s decision, and while it will comply with it, the Cupertino-based company “will appeal.” So the Epic v. Apple legal battle might not be over entirely just yet.