Epic Games, Spotify Test Apple App Store Policy Changes

Epic Games and Spotify are testing Apple's newly updated App Store policies by submitting app versions that leverage recently expanded developer freedoms, following a federal court ruling against Apple's restrictive in-app purchase rules. Epic Games aims to bring Fortnite back to the App Store after its removal in 2020 due to a dispute over direct payment options, while Spotify plans to enable users to buy individual audiobooks and offer Premium subscribers additional listening hours beyond the free monthly quota. These updates come on the heels of Apple approving similar features for apps like Amazon Kindle and Spotify's own subscription pricing visibility in the U.S. The policy changes, mandated by a judge in the Epic Games antitrust case, require Apple to allow more competitive payment options and direct purchase links, fostering a more open ecosystem for developers of all sizes. Spotify highlighted that these changes could spur innovation and creator growth by enabling clearer pricing and more flexible payment methods. Overall, the revised App Store rules are expected to encourage more developers to expand their app capabilities and business models on Apple's platform.