Spotify has submitted a major app update to the App Store with several significant changes. The company is moving quickly to capitalize on Judge Gonzalez’s ruling on Wednesday, which requires Apple to allow external payment links in apps effective immediately.
The streaming music service now awaits Apple’s approval for the update in the U.S. App Store.
UPDATE: The app got approved, plus Apple changed its App Store rules on Thursday to bring them into “compliance with a United States court decision regarding buttons, external links, and other calls to action in apps.”
Spotify’s new app update will bring big changes
On April 30, 2025, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez blasted Apple for willfully defying the 2021 injunction. As part of the original order, Apple needed to allow developers to collect payments from third-party sources without charging them any transaction fees. Instead, the company charged them a commission of 12% to 27% on such transactions.
Judge Gonzalez immediately ruled that Apple allow developers to link to external links for collecting payments.
Jumping on the bandwagon, Spotify submitted an app update to the U.S. App Store with several changes:
- Can finally see how much something costs in our app, including pricing details on subscriptions and information about promotions that will save money;
- Can click a link to purchase the subscription of choice, upgrading from a Free account to one of our Premium plans;
- Can seamlessly click the link and easily change Premium subscriptions from Individual to a Student, Duo, or Family plan;
- Can use other payment options beyond just Apple’s payment system—we provide a wider range of options on our website; and
- Going forward, this opens the door to other seamless buying opportunities that will directly benefit creators (think easy-to-purchase audiobooks)
Spotify removed the option to pay for its streaming music service from its app years ago in reaction to Apple’s requirement that Spotify give it part of all subscription fees.
The app reportedly got approved on Friday. “In a victory for consumers, artists, creators, and authors, Apple has approved Spotify’s U.S. app update,” a Spotify spokesperson told The Verge.
Consumers stand to gain from these changes
All of these changes will benefit end users, though they are not exactly in Apple’s favor. The biggest change? The update will enable Spotify users in the U.S. to use the Spotify app purchase a subscription plan outside the App Store. This will help them save on Apple tax. Plus, Spotify can inform its users about any promotions, again helping them save money.
It’s clear that by posting about this update on its blog, Spotify intended to create pressure on Apple. If the company had rejected the app update, it would only invite more negative publicity.
