APPLE has blasted Spotify for a change that affects how the volume works on iPhones.
The music streaming giant sparked a fresh feud with Apple after it withdrew access to tech that lets people adjust the volume on connected devices using the iPhone‘s physical buttons.
It affects Spotify Connect, a feature for controlling sound levels on things like nearby speakers and smart TVs with the iPhone.
iOS Bluetooth or AirPlay sessions continue to work as normal – as does Android.
Writing on its support page, Spotify said Apple had “discontinued” the technology that made Spotify Connect possible.
The change is due to come into effect on September 3 but some users claim it’s already happening on their accounts.
“While we work with them on a solution, you can use the Spotify app to easily adjust the volume on your connected device,” Spotify says.
Anyone that attempts to adjust the volume with the physical buttons while connected to a device will see a notification that prompts users to an alternative solution.
Instead, people will have to open the Spotify app and use an in-app slider to turn the volume up or down.
“Making it inconvenient to use Spotify to force iPhone users to Apple Music is prime Apple anti-competitor behavior,” one frustrated user wrote.
“Wow, Apple’s decision sure is a bummer for Spotify users on iOS,” another said.
For quick access to volume, users can press one of the volume buttons on their iPhone.
A slider will then appear at the bottom of their screen.
According to The Verge, Spotify said: “We’ve made requests to Apple to introduce a similar solution to what they offer users on HomePod and Apple TV for app developers who control non-Apple media devices.
“Apple has told us that they require apps to integrate into HomePod in order to access the technology that controls volume on iPhones.”
It’s not the first time the two companies have been at lock horns with each other.
Spotify has previously taken aim at Apple over fees it charges for the app store, claiming it gives Apple’s own services like Apple Music an unfair advantage.
While this latest saga is a frustration for users, many take aim at Spotify over the issue, not Apple.
“they don’t get tired of blaming apple,” one user wrote on X.
“Sounds like a lot of finger pointing and baby cries than actual functionality,” a second person wrote.
And a third commenter added: “They will blame literally anything on Apple hahahahahahaha.”
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