Spotify Accuses Apple of Blocking App Updates, Citing Free Tier
Spotify has accused Apple of blocking access to products and updates for their app. The streaming giant claims Apple is hindering progress on features like Siri and AirPlay 2 support. Meanwhile, Spotify's Apple Watch app remains the top in its category.
Spotify alleges that Apple is preventing updates to their app, which would enable Siri and AirPlay 2 functionality. This comes despite Apple's claim that they are working on these features. The issue seems to stem from Spotify's free, ad-supported product, which doesn't generate App Store revenue. Most of Spotify's customers use this free version, contributing to its popularity.
Spotify's Apple Watch app, launched in 2018, has been successful, topping the Watch Music category. However, Spotify announced that Apple is blocking updates for Watch support. This app was initially reviewed and approved by Apple, making the current situation puzzling.
Spotify's concern is twofold: they want to maintain the benefits of a free app without being charged by Apple, and they want to reduce the number of subscriptions under Apple's revenue-sharing model. Currently, only a small fraction of Spotify's subscriptions fall under this model, and Spotify aims for this number to be zero. Additionally, a significant portion of Spotify's customers come through mobile carrier partnerships, bypassing the App Store altogether.
Spotify's dispute with Apple highlights a broader issue in the music industry and its business models. With most users on their free platform, Spotify wants to avoid App Store fees while maintaining feature parity. Apple, however, appears to be blocking updates until Spotify complies with their revenue-sharing model. The outcome of this standoff remains to be seen.
