Spotify has finally received approval from Apple for its US app update that now lets users see pricing and access external payment links. This decision comes after a legal ruling barred Apple from taking commissions on purchases made outside of its App Store, marking a major shift in how app developers can do business.
Spotify, founded in Stockholm in 2006, has been in a long battle with Apple over App Store rules. Previously, Apple required developers to use its payment system and pay a commission on in-app purchases, which added extra costs for services like Spotify. This rule made it hard for Spotify to compete fairly with Apple Music.
Now, after years of pushing back, Spotify can show its US users clear pricing and provide links that take them outside the app for subscriptions or purchases — without paying Apple a cut. A Spotify spokesperson called this a win for transparency and user choice in the US market.
Shares of Spotify jumped more than six percent after the news, showing strong investor confidence in this development. Experts believe this change helps Spotify level the playing field with Apple Music by removing the commission burden that previously inflated prices for Spotify users.
Spotify submitted the app update following a judge’s recent warning that the company wasn’t fully following her earlier ruling. The ruling came from a lawsuit brought by the maker of Fortnite, Epic Games, which challenged Apple’s dominance in the app marketplace.
Apple has said it will follow the court’s orders but plans to appeal the decision. Still, the approval of Spotify’s new app version marks a major shift in the app economy and a strong win for developers and users alike.
Earlier this year, Spotify also reported its first-ever annual profit, helped by rising user numbers, price increases, and cost-saving strategies. This new app freedom may help the company grow even faster in the US and beyond.
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