What’s New: Spotify Just Gave iPhone Users More Freedom
Spotify external payment support is officially here—and it’s a game changer.
For years, if you wanted to upgrade to Spotify Premium on your iPhone, you had to jump through some hoops. Apple didn’t let Spotify tell you about cheaper prices or link you to their website. Why? Because Apple charged a 30% fee on in-app purchases and didn’t want users skipping their system.
Now that’s changing. Thanks to a recent court ruling, Spotify has rolled out a new update to its iOS app (version 9.0.40) that finally gives U.S. users the freedom to see real pricing and pay directly through Spotify’s site—no Apple tax, no shady workarounds.
Why This Matters: It’s Bigger Than Just Music
At first glance, this might just look like a simple app update. But this is about more than Spotify—it’s about how app stores work, how developers make money, and how much freedom users actually have when using their own devices.
With this update, you can now:
- Tap a link inside the app and go straight to Spotify’s website to pay.
- See full details of different Premium plans.
- Take advantage of promotions that were previously hidden or unavailable.
That’s a big shift in how payments work on iPhones—and it opens the door for other apps to do the same.
What Changed? The Apple vs Epic Games Case
To understand how we got here, we have to talk about Apple’s 30% commission. For years, Apple made it mandatory for developers to use their payment system—and pay them a cut. If you wanted to offer an alternative (like sending users to your own website), Apple said “nope.” Even just mentioning cheaper prices outside the app wasn’t allowed.
But then came Epic Games and its famous battle with Apple over Fortnite’s in-app purchases. That legal fight led to a big court decision: Apple can’t block developers from telling users about other ways to pay. The judge also called out Apple for using “scary” warnings to discourage users from going off-app.
Apple didn’t love the decision, and they’re still planning to appeal. But for now? The rule is in place—and Spotify’s one of the first big players to jump on it.
What Spotify Is Saying About the Update
Spotify didn’t hold back. Their spokesperson, Jeanne Moran, called it “a victory for consumers, artists, creators, and authors.” She said that after nearly a decade, Spotify can finally:
- Show transparent pricing inside the app
- Offer more payment choices
- Give users lower prices and better control
It’s the kind of move that benefits both sides: users get more flexibility, and Spotify doesn’t have to hand over a chunk of revenue to Apple anymore.
Who’s Next? Other Apps Ready to Follow
Spotify might be first, but it won’t be the last. Patreon is already preparing an update that does something similar. Epic Games is also building its own payment system that charges lower fees than Apple.
If this becomes the new norm, we could be looking at a massive shift in how apps operate on iPhones. Developers would finally be able to talk to users directly about prices, deals, and payment options—without fear of being punished or kicked off the App Store.
What It Means for You
If you’re an iPhone user in the U.S., here’s what this means for you right now:
- You can open the Spotify app, click a link, and pay on Spotify’s site—just like you would on Android.
- You’ll probably see lower prices than before, since Spotify doesn’t have to factor in Apple’s fee.
- You’ll have more clarity and choice about what you’re paying for.
And beyond Spotify? This change could affect everything from audiobook purchases to Patreon memberships. It’s about having real control over your digital spending—not being locked into one system with limited options.
Why This Isn’t the End of the Story
Even though this update is a big step forward, we’re not at the finish line yet. Apple is still fighting back in court. They’ve made it clear they disagree with the decision, and they’ll keep appealing.
But now that a door has opened, it’s going to be hard to close. Developers have tasted the freedom to communicate directly with their users. Consumers are starting to expect more flexibility. And frankly, the pressure on Apple to adapt will only grow.
Final Thoughts: A Win for Everyone (Except Apple, Maybe)
The Spotify external payment update isn’t just a minor change—it’s a sign that the app world is shifting. One of the world’s biggest streaming services just stood up to one of the world’s biggest tech giants and won a little more freedom for all of us.
If you’ve ever been frustrated by confusing app subscriptions or felt like your options were limited, this moment should feel like a win. For once, you’re in control.
And this? This is only the beginning.
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