Spotify says the ability to direct customers to external payment links in iOS apps has already had a positive impact on sales. In a newly filed Amicus Brief supporting Epic Games in its ongoing legal battle with Apple over external payments for the App Store, Spotify claims its internal data indicates that recent updates supporting web payments have resulted in a “significant increase in IOS users being upgraded to premium subscriptions.”
Shortly after the US District Court in Northern California upheld Fortnite Maker Epic Games on the issue of external payments, Apple was ultimately forced to allow customers to point their customers to other ways of paying from within the iOS app without paying Apple's fees.
Currently, US iOS app developers can choose to tell customers about their web billing options and whether they have a discount to pay directly.
Spotify was one of the first to update its iOS app to take advantage of the new policy. The updated version explains the cost of the subscription to the customer and explains whether users can purchase audiobooks directly to the website they purchase.
The results are almost positive, Spotify wrote in a new submission.
“The 2025 order has provided great benefits for developers and, more importantly, consumers,” Filing said. “Internal data on Spotify shows that iOS app updates have significantly increased iOS users' upgrades to premium subscriptions. Apple's compliance has also enabled new product innovations that could not be possible without an injunction.”
Spotify said the revised “Premium Destination Page” in the iOS app tells free users how to upgrade to a paid subscription by providing free users with information about pricing and a link to a checkout page. Since adding links and pricing information, Spotify says it has seen immediate effects from the changes.
The new page is live in two weeks, Spotify says that on Android, where Spotify can already provide basic pricing information, the conversion rate from free to premium tier remains “relatively constant.”
Meanwhile, the conversion rate between iOS users has increased significantly, the company said.
“This strongly suggests that the 2025 order will ultimately result in Apple's compliance with the injunction,” Spotify wrote. The company also adds that it is beginning to see an impact on audiobook purchases just three days after the new product options have been launched.
Spotify refused to share certain numbers related to the increase when it was reached for comments.
As Apple attempts to fight a restraining order that overthrows the US App Store business, the briefs join those supporting Microsoft and Epic Games.
Apple does not want to follow court decisions in the process of sue until all legal matters are fully resolved.
They also tried to move Epic Games' Fortnite away from the App Store for the same reasons, but the judge pressured Apple to return to the App Store and Court to explain why Apple wasn't violating the ruling.
On Tuesday, Fortnite lived in an app store in the US after a five-year hiatus.
The lawsuit between Apple and Epic is currently continuing in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the 9th Circuit. Apple filed an emergency motion, allowing it to return to old policies while the appeal is underway. However, the court decided to grant the claim, stating that the judge's panel would follow the default briefing schedule and would allow the claims to be ruled.