Finally! Spotify iPhone App now lets you directly buy audiobooks

Spotify's iPhone app enables US users to directly purchase audiobooks, eliminating external redirects.

Image: Spotify

After a significant delay, Spotify has finally rolled out a highly anticipated feature for its iPhone users in the United States. The leading music streaming platform now allows you to directly purchase your favorite audiobooks within the app with just a few simple taps. Previously, iPhone users were unable to complete these transactions directly in-app due to prevailing App Store restrictions.

This past Monday, Spotify officially unveiled a major update for its iPhone app, specifically benefiting US users. This update enables a seamless experience for buying audiobooks without ever needing to leave the application. This represents a monumental development for iOS enthusiasts, especially considering past limitations. Previously, Spotify would notify users via email about charges and provide an external link for purchases, a cumbersome process they eventually discontinued in 2022 due to its inefficiency. However, the landscape shifted dramatically following the US court's verdict in the landmark Epic Games v. Apple case ruling. This judgment directly instructed Apple, the Cupertino-based tech giant, not to impose charges on app developers for external links—a significant change from their previous policy of charging up to 27% commission and prohibiting external links within apps.

In the wake of this crucial ruling, Spotify proactively announced that it had officially requested Apple to enable this new in-app audiobook purchasing functionality. Apple has now approved this update. Spotify has hailed this development as a "victory for consumers," underscoring its importance. It's important to note, however, that this feature is currently exclusive to iPhone users in the US, as the court's ruling specifically applied within the United States. This implies that iPhone users in other countries may still not have access to direct in-app audiobook purchases.

See how seamless it is to buy your favorite audiobooks directly within the Spotify iPhone app! Gif: Spotify

Spotify has also clearly demonstrated how to buy audiobooks directly from the iPhone app. If you are in the US, you will now see a price listed directly under the audiobook title. For instance, Spotify showcased the audiobook "The Last Run" priced at $14.99. A prominent "Buy" button will appear next to the price. Tapping this button will seamlessly redirect you to the payment methods screen. After filling in your details, a "Complete Purchase" button will finalize your transaction. Once clicked, your purchase is confirmed, and the audiobook will instantly become available in your library section.

For iPhone users around the world, direct in-app purchases may not yet be available, but there is hope for future expansion. Spotify explicitly stated that this feature was made possible due to the specific court action, deeming it "the most consequential action to date" in the US. Encouragingly, Spotify also offered a glimmer of hope to its global iPhone user base, noting that "While other governments around the world have taken steps against Apple’s harmful practices." This suggests that we might see this convenient feature expand to more countries in the future.

On the other hand, Apple has strongly disagreed with the court's decision and has filed an appeal. Additionally, a hearing is scheduled for May 27, 2025, where Apple is expected to address its compliance with the 2021 injunction related to App Store policies.