In a significant shift for iOS users, Spotify has finally implemented direct audiobook purchases within its iPhone app, marking a notable change in the platform’s functionality and the broader Apple-Spotify relationship. This development comes after years of contentious disputes between the two tech giants over App Store policies.

The New Audiobook Experience

As of May 20, 2025, U.S. iOS users can now purchase individual audiobooks directly through the Spotify app using external payment options. This update, officially approved by Apple on Monday, enables users to view audiobook pricing and complete purchases without leaving the app—something that was previously prohibited by Apple’s App Store policies.

When navigating to the audiobooks tab in the Spotify app and selecting a title, users can now tap on the lock icon displayed over the audiobook to access purchasing options through a web view within the app. This seamless experience represents a dramatic improvement from the previous system, which required users to purchase content outside the app environment.

“This change lowers the barriers for more users to embrace their first—or tenth—audiobook, while allowing publishers and authors to reach fans and access new audiences seamlessly,” Spotify stated in its announcement, as reported by Abijita.

A History of Contention

This update resolves a long-standing dispute between Spotify and Apple that dates back to 2022. At that time, Spotify attempted to add audiobooks to its platform but faced multiple rejections from Apple, which objected to Spotify’s methods of communicating purchase options to users outside the App Store ecosystem.

According to MacRumors, Apple rejected Spotify’s update three times because it violated rules regarding how apps could inform users about external purchasing options. The conflict centered around Spotify’s attempt to email customers with direct links to purchase options—a practice Apple wouldn’t permit under its previous guidelines.

Ultimately, Spotify conceded in 2022 and removed information about how to purchase audiobooks from its app. The audiobook functionality remained limited until the recent changes to Apple’s U.S. App Store policies, which were implemented following legal rulings that now allow apps to direct customers to purchase options outside of Apple’s ecosystem.

Broader Implications for Digital Content

Spotify’s audiobook catalog currently offers over 250,000 titles to Premium subscribers, with 15 hours of listening time included monthly in most Premium plans. This substantial offering positions Spotify as a serious competitor in the audiobook market, challenging established platforms like Audible.

The policy shift enabling direct purchases also extends beyond just audiobooks. Spotify Premium subscribers can now purchase additional audiobook listening hours within the app, and the company previously implemented the ability for iPhone users to subscribe outside the App Store.

Spotify isn’t alone in taking advantage of the new guidelines. Other apps including Kindle, Patreon, and Delta emulator have begun implementing similar features, signaling a broader transformation in how digital content is distributed and monetized on iOS devices.

This development represents a significant victory for Spotify in its ongoing efforts to reduce what it has characterized as Apple’s anti-competitive practices. It also provides a more streamlined experience for consumers, who can now discover and purchase audiobook content in a single environment rather than navigating between platforms.

As the digital content landscape continues to evolve, this change may set precedents for how other content providers approach distribution on mobile platforms, potentially reshaping the relationship between app developers, platform holders, and consumers.