Spotify users on iPhone will face new challenges managing audio volume when using Spotify Connect, reflecting ongoing tensions between major tech companies.
Spotify has announced that Apple has “discontinued” the feature that allowed users to adjust the volume via the physical buttons on their iPhones while streaming to various devices including speakers and smart TVs.
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Users attempting to adjust the volume using physical buttons will receive a notification directing them to use the volume slider within the Spotify app instead. This notification encourages Spotify users to click through to easily access the slider feature.
This change is set to officially roll out on September 3, although some users have begun receiving the notifications in advance.
An example of the Spotify notification while attempting to use the iPhone volume buttons.
Credit: Spotify
Spotify and Apple Continue Their Dispute
Spotify’s latest update clearly places responsibility on Apple for complicating volume control for iPhone users.
“Apple has discontinued the technology enabling Spotify to control volume for connected devices using the volume buttons,” Spotify stated on its support page for Spotify Connect. “While we collaborate with them for a solution, you can use the Spotify app to adjust the volume on your connected device.”
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Recent reports indicate that Apple’s changes have led to unexpected volume spikes and other issues for Spotify users, prompting Spotify to revise volume control methods. A similar alteration was made by Sonos after encountering comparable problems earlier this year.
Spotify has expressed its desire for Apple to implement solutions comparable to those available for HomePod and Apple TV, emphasizing that Apple requires apps to integrate with HomePod technology for volume control on iPhones.
This volume control complication is just one facet of the larger, ongoing conflict between Spotify and Apple.
Earlier in the year, Apple faced a $2 billion fine in the EU following Spotify’s complaint regarding restrictive policies preventing developers from directing users outside of the App Store for subscription sign-ups.
In response, Apple publicly criticized Spotify for benefiting from its infrastructure without appropriate compensation.
Apple highlighted its efforts to collaborate with Spotify, ensuring compatibility with services like “Siri, CarPlay, Apple Watch, AirPlay, Widgets, and more.” However, it appears that volume control via the iPhone’s physical buttons is no longer part of this collaborative framework.
