Spotify users in the United States yesterday gained the ability to directly purchase audiobooks within the iPhone app. Apple approved this significant update. The change also permits Spotify Premium subscribers to easily buy more audiobook listening hours. This move allows Spotify to bypass Apple’s traditional App Store commission for these sales.
This development follows a pivotal court ruling in the Epic Games v. Apple case. That ruling began to loosen Apple’s control over in-app transactions and external purchase links. For consumers, this could mean clearer audiobook pricing. For developers, it signals more autonomy. Spotify had also enabled external subscription purchases earlier in May 2025, further indicating its strategy.
Previously, in 2022, Spotify had removed audiobook purchasing from its iOS app. The company accused Apple of “choking competition” at the time. Spotify believes the current change will lower barriers for users and allow publishers to “reach fans and access new audiences seamlessly.”
Court Mandate Reshapes App Store Rules
The April 30th decision by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers was critical. She found Apple violated a 2021 injunction concerning “anti-steering” rules. These rules had stopped developers from guiding users to other payment options. Judge Rogers stated Apple’s compliance attempts “strain credulity.” She asserted Apple acted “with the express intent to create new anticompetitive barriers.”
The ruling now explicitly bars Apple from charging fees on purchases made via external links from U.S. App Store apps. It also prevents restrictions on how developers communicate these alternatives. The judge’s findings were severe, including a referral of Apple for a potential criminal contempt investigation.
Testimony from an Apple finance VP was found “not credible” and “replete with misdirection and outright lies under oath.”. Apple, while appealing, modified its App Store Review Guidelines on May 1st to comply. Following Spotify’s update, an Apple spokesperson stated that the company is complying with the court’s order during the appeal process and remains committed to providing a “safe and trusted marketplace” for users and developers.
Industry Reacts as Spotify Implements Changes
Spotify acted swiftly on the ruling, submitting an updated app that Apple approved. This allowed Spotify to, as stated in a company newsroom post, “freely show clear pricing information and links to purchase,” thereby fostering transparency for U.S. consumers. This move is a notable step for the audio platform. Other apps like Kindle, Patreon, and Delta’s emulator have also utilized the court ruling.
The change has been met with positive feedback from some industry groups. Publishers Weekly reported that creator associations and publishing groups see this as a “welcome development that empowers creators and offers more direct avenues to connect with their audience, hopefully leading to better compensation.” They view it as a step towards fairer revenue models.
However, the landscape remains complex. Epic Games, the original plaintiff, continues its own battle. Apple reportedly blocked a renewed attempt by Epic to return Fortnite to the U.S. App Store around May 16th. This led Epic to ask the judge on May 17th to compel Apple to relist the game. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has been critical, stating that “App Review shouldn’t be weaponized by senior management as a tool to delay or obstruct competition, due process, or free speech.”
Broader Implications and Ongoing Legalities
The court’s decision and subsequent developer actions are creating wider effects. Epic Games announced its own Epic Games Store updates, including a 0% commission tier and “webshops”. Epic described these as “a more cost-effective alternative to in-app purchases, where Apple, Google, and others charge exorbitant fees.”
While Apple is formally appealing Judge Rogers’ ruling, the company also filed an emergency motion with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to suspend parts of the order. This legal maneuvering occurs alongside international scrutiny. For instance, Apple faces a €500 million fine in the European Union for similar anti-steering practices under the Digital Markets Act. Spotify’s ability to implement direct audiobook sales thus marks a tangible development for those advocating for more open app store models, even as the overarching disputes continue.
