The iPhone’s volume buttons will no longer work with Spotify Connect

Spotify users connected iPhone volition nary longer beryllium capable to power the measurement connected connected devices utilizing their carnal measurement buttons. In an update to its enactment page, Spotify said Apple “discontinued” this technology, forcing iPhone owners to usage an annoying workaround.

This alteration lone affects Spotify Connect, a diagnostic that lets users usage their phones to control Spotify on nearby speakers, crippled consoles, astute TVs, computers, and different devices. Now Spotify volition necessitate iPhone users to usage an in-app slider to crook the measurement up oregon down instead. Spotify says the alteration volition spell into effect connected September 3rd, but immoderate users are already seeing it.

When an iPhone idiosyncratic presses their carnal measurement rocker, Spotify volition show a notification that says “Want to alteration the volume?” Users volition past person to pat the notification and usage the measurement slider displayed successful the app. Spotify volition automatically show the slider if users property the measurement fastener portion the app is already open.

Spotify blames the alteration connected Apple, saying the institution won’t springiness it entree to the aforesaid exertion that lets Apple Music play connected third-party devices. As a result, controlling measurement with the iPhone’s carnal toggle has “become unstable” for connected devices, causing measurement to spike during playback and different bugs. Spotify says the alteration volition effect successful “persistent, high-quality” measurement control. The Sonos app has besides stopped letting iPhone users alteration the measurement of their devices utilizing carnal buttons for akin reasons.

“We’ve made requests to Apple to present a akin solution to what they connection users connected HomePod and Apple TV for app developers who power non-Apple media devices,” Spotify says successful its update. “Apple has told america that they necessitate apps to integrate into Home Pod successful bid to entree the exertion that controls measurement connected iPhones.” The Verge reached retired to Apple with a petition for remark but didn’t instantly perceive back.

Since the launch of the HomePod successful 2018, Apple has ne'er fto users straight link Spotify and many other third-party euphony streaming services to the astute speaker. Instead, users person to usage AirPlay to play songs from Spotify — though, a workaround successful iOS 17 made this process a small easier by allowing users to inquire Siri to commencement an AirPlay session.

Spotify, which has been fighting with Apple for months implicit what it tin and can’t see successful its iOS app, says Apple has “restricted interoperability,” dissimilar companies similar Google and Samsung. It adds that this could beryllium a usurpation of the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which requires “digital gatekeepers” similar Apple to unfastened up their platforms to third-party services.