Spotify has raised concerns over what it describes as a significant issue with its app on iOS devices, claiming that Apple’s recent updates have disrupted some of the platform’s volume controls. This development has sparked a renewed debate over Apple’s control of its ecosystem, with Spotify urging Apple to address the problem swiftly.

Spotify users demand solutions for volume issues 

As reported by Spotify, the issue cropped up after the latest iOS updates, which seem to have disrupted all the volume controls in the App.

There are issues with the volume adjustment controls, with some users complaining that controls no longer work or work improperly within the Spotify app. This has led to anger among Spotify app users since they depend on it for their music and podcast listening. 

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The issue of volume control is most prominent when using Spotify with other external devices like Bluetooth speakers and headphones. Users have raised the issue that the volume levels sometimes fail to transition as they intend through the app, thereby creating a somewhat irregular listening experience.

Spotify’s response and concerns

Spotify has even openly named Apple as the culprit responsible for the volume control problem after getting iOS updates. Spotify has made this known on its community forums and social pages, indicating that it is pressuring Apple to develop a solution. 

This has again created a rivalry between Spotify and Apple, as the two firms have conflicted about controlling the iOS platform. Spotify has in the past accused Apple of anti-competitive practices such as forceful adherence to Apple’s in-app payment system and charging Apple a 30% commission for particular in-app purchases. This adds to issues of volume control, which has remained another friction between Spotify and Apple, with the latter being accused of compromising on the experiences offered to Spotify clients. 

It has also revived issues related to Apple’s tight control over its realm of operation. Apple has always kept a tight rein on how applications work on devices through updates and modifications to its operating systems. Although these updates are beneficial in providing new updates and improvements, they may also lead to several compatibility problems for third-party applications like Spotify. 

As with most of Apple’s products, this situation raises questions about developers’ challenges when working in a strict environment. Updates to iOS can cause problems in applications that need to be launched, and it becomes a waiting game for Apple to respond to these problems. 

Read also: Apple modifies its App Store

Apple’s silence on spotify’s statement explained 

For now, Apple has not spoken regarding Spotify’s statements, and there is no information on when the problem could be solved. Meanwhile, Spotify listeners are forced to live with problematic issues such as non-functional volume buttons. 

The ongoing dispute between Spotify and Apple highlights the broader challenges of app development within a controlled ecosystem. As users and developers await a resolution, the incident reminds us of the complexities of maintaining app functionality on ever-evolving platforms like iOS.

Spotify’s recent troubles with Apple over broken volume controls on iOS devices have reignited concerns about Apple’s dominance over its ecosystem. As Spotify pushes for a swift resolution, this incident reminds us of developers’ ongoing challenges in ensuring app compatibility within Apple’s tightly controlled environment. Both users and the broader tech community will closely watch the resolution of this issue.