[NewsPoster]

Spotify is attempting to encourage iOS users to alter their subscription, in order to save money and make it competitive against Apple Music. A guide is being sent to people subscribing to Spotify via its iOS app, explaining how to stop their app-based subscription for one conducted through the website, saving the end user $3 and preventing any ongoing subscription revenue from going to Apple.

The email discovered by The Verge points out that the usual price for the premium subscription is $10, but because of a 30 percent charge on all transactions made through iTunes, Spotify actually costs $13 when done through the iOS app, far above the $10 subscription of Apple Music. The guide advises that users turn off the automatic renewing option for their Spotify subscription, then as soon as the current subscription period ends, to restart the subscription through Spotify directly.

The email is a work-around for one of Apple's App Store policies, reports Bloomberg. Apple does not allow any links within apps that can allow a user to pay for products or services through a different storefront, and adding such a guide to the app would almost certainly be flagged by Apple, but sending an email separately is not against current policy.

It is noted that, while the 30-percent charge is typical of App Store transactions, there are some exceptions, specifically in markets where Apple has no interest in taking part in. For example, food orders from GrubHub and United Airlines tickets are not subject to the fee when purchases are made through the app. Even so, it is highly unlikely that Apple will remove the charge for Spotify, as it is in direct competition with Apple Music.

[OldMacGeek]

Wow, that's gonna go over*real* well with Apple . . .

[Charles Martin]

Apple has never had a problem with companies that want to go around those rules (see the Financial Times, for example) -- it only has a problem if companies break those rules (see Amazon). Even the few that will bother to take advantage of the offer will only see their price equal that of Apple Music, and at the moment I'd have to say Apple Music remains the better value unless you are very invested in Spotify.

[James035]

The minute Apple Music turned on, Spotify instantly became an also-ran.

[FireWire]

yeah.. trying to turn the most loyal users to a brand against their favorite brand.. genius... "help us cheat the system and backstab your favorite company in the back"...

[iBricking.com]

Even benevolent, innovative, monopolies are bad for consumers.