Spotify points finger at Apple over an unwelcome change to volume control technology
Spotify claims Apple may again be in violation of European regulation, the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires interoperability from big technology companies dubbed “gatekeepers.” This time, the issue isn’t about in-app purchases, links or pricing information, but rather how Apple has discontinued the technology that allows Spotify users to control the volume on their connected devices.
When streaming to connected devices via Spotify Connect on iOS, users were previously able to use the physical buttons on the side of their iPhone to adjust the volume. As a result of the change, this will no longer work.
To work around the issue, Spotify iOS users will instead be directed to use the volume slider in the Spotify Connect menu in the app to control the volume on connected devices.
The company notes that this issue doesn’t affect users controlling the volume on iOS Bluetooth or AirPlay sessions, nor users on Android. It only applies to those listening via Spotify Connect on iOS.
As a result, Spotify iOS users globally will be directed to use the new in-app volume slider beginning on September 3.
Notably, the company also claims that Apple’s move to discontinue the technology it was using could be considered a violation of the DMA — specifically article 6(7), which states:
6(7): The gatekeeper shall allow providers of services and providers of hardware, free of charge, effective interoperability with, and access for the purposes of interoperability to, the same hardware and software features accessed or controlled via the operating system or virtual assistant listed in the designation decision pursuant to Article 3(9) as are available to services or hardware provided by the gatekeeper.
Furthermore, the gatekeeper shall allow business users and alternative providers of services provided together with, or in support of, core platform services, free of charge, effective interoperability with, and access for the purposes of interoperability to, the same operating system, hardware or software features, regardless of whether those features are part of the operating system, as are available to, or used by, that gatekeeper when providing such services.
The streamer says that it made requests to Apple to introduce a similar solution for third-party developers comparable to what is already offered to users of the Apple HomePod or Apple TV devices. However, Apple told Spotify that it requires apps to integrate with HomePod to access the technology that controls the volume on iPhones.
That means that Spotify is not able to use the same technology that Apple Music does on iOS. This is different from how other companies like Google and Samsung manage access to similar technology, Spotify points out.
The technology Spotify was using for Connect was already degraded before being discontinued, the streamer claims. Spotify said that the experience using the iPhone volume buttons was often unstable, resulting in bugs like volume spikes during sessions. The new interface will allow more consistent volume control, it said.
Further information about the change is documented on Spotify’s Customer Support page. Apple didn’t immediately return a request for comment.