Subscribers to the Spotify App Store who have been paying through Apple’s system will no longer have the option to do so. At the conclusion of their current billing cycle, these users will switch to free accounts. They must buy a paid subscription straight from the Spotify website in order to regain access to premium features.
Variety, an authoritative source in the field, first reported on the change, claiming that Spotify has started emailing customers who pay for their subscriptions through the App Store. Through a formal statement, Spotify has acknowledged this development.
“We have recently started the process of notifying a select group of users that the payment method they have been using for their Premium accounts is being phased out. Those who received email notifications will automatically have their accounts downgraded to the Free tier at the conclusion of their current billing cycle. They will then have the choice to log into their Spotify account at Spotify.com and upgrade to a Premium account. For all of our devoted customers, these measures have been put in place to guarantee a consistent and unmatched subscription experience, a company spokesperson explained.
Spotify App Store subscribers transition to website payments
It’s important to remember that in 2016, Spotify removed the in-app purchase option for subscriptions on iPhones. For the first two years starting in 2014, the business had only previously made subscriptions available through the App Store. You cannot upgrade to premium in the app, a message would appear for iPhone users. It’s obviously not ideal.
Long-standing issue is the ongoing disagreement between Spotify and Apple regarding the latter’s App Store fees. In an effort to refute Spotify’s antitrust claims, Apple is currently making its case to European regulators.
Additionally, Spotify and Google have had similar disagreements in the past regarding the costs of in-app purchases made through the Play Store. The two businesses did, however, reach a deal last year that allowed Spotify to investigate third-party billing alternatives.
With more than 210 million premium subscribers and more than 500 million monthly active users, Spotify boasted impressive numbers during the Q1 2023 earnings call. These figures illustrate the streaming service’s enduring appeal and broad uptake.
Before you leave, Meet Spotify Supremium, a new plan for audiophiles.
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