Spotify Reports Boost in Premium Subscriptions Following Support for External Payment Links in iOS App
Spotify has announced that its recent move to include external payment links within its iOS app has led to a noticeable increase in Premium subscriptions. In a new amicus brief supporting Epic Games in its ongoing legal battle with Apple over app store payment policies, Spotify shared internal data indicating that its update supporting web-based payments has significantly boosted conversions among iOS users.
This development comes in the wake of a landmark U.S. District Court ruling in Northern California, which favored Epic Games and mandated Apple to allow U.S. developers to direct customers to alternative payment options outside of Apple’s in-app system without incurring its usual commission fees.
Thanks to this ruling, iOS app developers in the United States now have the flexibility to inform customers about web billing options and even offer discounts for direct payments. Spotify was quick to adapt, updating its iOS app to comply with the new policy. The updated version clearly explains subscription costs, directs users to its website for purchases, and allows direct audiobook transactions.
The results speak for themselves. Spotify’s filing highlights that since launching these changes, the company has seen a marked increase in the number of users upgrading to Premium. Their internal data shows that, within just two weeks of introducing a dedicated “Premium Destination Page,” the conversion rate among iOS users has surged, while Android conversions have remained steady.
This suggests that the rise in Premium upgrades is directly linked to Apple’s compliance with the court’s injunction, enabled by the 2025 Order. Spotify also reports early success in promoting audiobook sales, noticing an uptick just three days after launching the new product options.
While Spotify has chosen not to disclose specific figures, the company’s support for Epic joins similar filings from Microsoft and others, all backing the court’s decision against Apple’s previous restrictions. Apple, on the other hand, continues to resist fully implementing the ruling, pending the resolution of ongoing legal appeals.
The legal dispute has also seen Epic Games’ Fortnite return to the App Store after a five-year absence, following court pressure on Apple to comply. The case now proceeds in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, with Apple seeking to revert to its previous policies during the appeal process—a motion that the court has yet to decide on.
This ongoing battle over app store payment rules and the impact of recent legal rulings are reshaping how developers and consumers interact within the iOS ecosystem, fostering increased competition, transparency, and innovation.
