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Apple has approved an update to the Spotify app that could reshape how developers handle payments on iOS. For the first time, users can complete transactions through external websites, avoiding Apple’s in-app purchase system and its 30% cut.
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Spotify is among the first major platforms to move forward under the new terms. The update now allows users to make payments outside the Apple ecosystem. Developers have long criticized Apple’s in-app purchase rule for being too costly and limiting, especially for apps with low margins or recurring transactions.
Although Apple is appealing the court decision that forced this change, it has already begun implementing the new policy, starting with Spotify.
For developers building on Web3 — including DeFi tools, crypto wallets, and NFT marketplaces — the update opens up new possibilities. Until now, many had to work around Apple’s restrictions or avoid iOS entirely. With external payments now allowed, users can interact with decentralized services more directly and without giving up a chunk of every transaction.
Developers working in blockchain and digital assets may find it easier to build fully functional iOS apps, without redesigning payment flows to meet Apple’s guidelines.
While the approval of Spotify’s update marks a shift, the situation remains fluid. Apple’s appeal could affect how permanent these changes become. Still, the decision signals a move toward greater flexibility, especially for developers in emerging tech sectors.
The ruling also puts pressure on Apple from both legal and market angles. As more companies adjust their apps, others may follow Spotify’s lead and move away from the default payment structure that has defined the App Store for years.