Spotify has officially enabled audiobook purchases within its iOS app using external payment systems. This update follows a long-standing dispute with Apple and leverages new App Store rules introduced after the Epic Games v. Apple legal ruling. As a result, Spotify is now allowed to display prices and provide external purchase options directly within the app, marking a significant change in the iOS experience for users interested in audiobooks.
Importantly, Apple can no longer impose fees on purchases made outside its platform or dictate how external payment links should appear. Spotify submitted the updated version of its app for review last week, and it is now officially available to users in the United States. In addition to audiobook purchases, Spotify Premium subscribers have the option to buy extra listening hours, offering greater flexibility for frequent listeners.
In an official statement, the company noted, “This change will lower the barriers for new audiobook listeners and help publishers and authors find their audiences faster.” Spotify aims to use this development to drive interest in paid content and expand its presence in the audiobook market.
Legal Changes Create New Opportunities
Spotify initially removed audiobook purchasing from its iOS app in 2022, blaming Apple for imposing artificial limitations that hindered competition. The recent change reflects a broader shift in the mobile app landscape. Other platforms such as Kindle, Patreon, and the game emulator Delta have also taken advantage of the updated rules to bypass Apple’s longstanding restrictions on external purchases.
Despite the legal win that enabled these changes, the situation remains complex, notes NIX Solutions. Epic Games, the original plaintiff in the case that led to this ruling, has still not managed to return Fortnite to the App Store. Apple continues to block the app, citing the ongoing nature of the lawsuit and a pending appeal.
For now, Spotify’s move represents a notable step toward greater platform flexibility for developers and users alike. We’ll keep you updated as more integrations become available and additional companies make use of the new App Store guidelines.