Spotify iPhone App Now Enables Easy Audiobook Purchases

Spotify has introduced a significant update to its iPhone app, allowing users in the United States to purchase audiobooks directly within the app. This new feature displays audiobook pricing alongside a convenient 'Buy' button, streamlining the purchasing process for users.

This change is a direct result of the recent Epic Games vs. Apple court ruling, which restricts Apple’s ability to collect fees on purchases made outside its App Store and limits its control over how developers direct users to external purchases. Spotify leveraged this ruling to remove the App Store as the sole payment gateway for audiobooks.

Previously, Spotify had removed audiobook purchases from its iOS app in 2022, citing Apple's App Store policies as a barrier to competition. Now, with the new update, users can buy audiobooks easily, and Spotify Premium subscribers can also purchase additional audiobook listening hours, enhancing the user experience.

This development not only benefits users by lowering the barriers to audiobook access but also helps publishers and authors reach new audiences more seamlessly. It marks a shift in how digital content can be monetized on mobile platforms, potentially influencing other apps to follow suit.

The update aligns with a broader trend where apps like Kindle, Patreon, and others are adapting to the new legal landscape by enabling purchases outside the App Store, thus avoiding Apple's commission fees. This shift could reshape app monetization strategies across the industry.

For developers and businesses, this change highlights the importance of staying agile and responsive to evolving platform policies. It opens opportunities to innovate in user purchase flows and revenue models, especially in content-driven apps.