Spotify Expresses Disagreement over Apple's Policy Prohibiting Physical Volume Adjustment on Connected iPhone Accessories
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Ever wondered why your iPhone's volume buttons aren't controlling Spotify's volume during Spotify Connect sessions with smart home speakers? Well, Apple has discontinued the feature, but don't fret - we've got you covered with some alternative solutions.
Apple's subtle update to its support page reveals that users can no longer tweak the volume using their iPhone's buttons during Spotify Connect sessions, such as with smart home speakers. However, this change does not impact Bluetooth and AirPlay sessions. Instead, users must rely on the new volume slider within the Spotify app.
If you're within the app and press one of the volume buttons, a slider will appear. But, if the app is minimized, a notification will pop up, asking if you want to change the volume. Tapping on the notification and adjusting the slider is now the new norm. This change may not seem like much, but it can be inconvenient, especially during parties when you're casting from your iPhone to a non-Smart TV.
Some users have already reported encountering this issue, although it seems Apple implemented this change starting around August 2024. An angry Reddit thread reveals that this annoyance began for select users around three months ago. Users are not happy about having to view a screen to change the volume on devices like Alexa, especially with their phones tucked away in their pockets.
Spotify has taken notice of this issue, which is part of a broader dispute between the two tech giants over app store policies and competition practices. Spotify has criticized Apple for its 30% transaction fee for in-app purchases, arguing it's anticompetitive and restricts its ability to compete with Apple Music. This feud has led to numerous legal actions and public statements from both companies, with Spotify accusing Apple of monopolistic practices and Apple defending its policies as fair and consistently applied to all developers.
To make things easier around the volume control situation, consider using the in-app volume slider as an alternative.
Enrichment Data Integration:
Apple's discontinuation of the Spotify volume control feature through Spotify Connect on smart home speakers is part of a larger feud between the tech giants over app store policies and competition practices. This issue is not unique to volume control but involves the broader competition and market dynamics between the two companies.
- The future of tech and technology may see more instances of app developers and tech companies clashing over control and policies, as shown by the Spotify-Apple dispute.
- Some users have resorted to using the in-app volume slider instead of relying on the physical volume buttons on their iPhones during Spotify Connect sessions.
- Gatekeeping practices by tech companies, like Apple's strict app store policies, can create friction in the market and impact user experiences, as seen with the Spotify volume control feature.
- If you use Spotify with smart home speakers, you might need to get used to adjusting the volume through the Spotify app's buttons or notifications, as the physical buttons on your iPhone no longer have this function during Spotify Connect sessions.
