by Tim Hardwick
Spotify says users on iPhone will no longer be able to control the volume of connected devices using their physical volume buttons after Apple “discontinued” the technology that enables the functionality. The change impacts Spotify Connect, a feature that allows users to control Spotify playback on various devices like speakers, game consoles, and smart TVs.
The streaming giant claims that the previous method had become unstable, leading to issues such as volume spikes during playback. As a result, iPhone users will now have to resort to an in-app slider to adjust volume, a change that Spotify is calling a “workaround,” reports The Verge.
To use the new volume control, iPhone owners will need to tap a notification that appears when they press the physical volume buttons. This notification will prompt them to use the in-app slider. Spotify claims that the new solution will provide “persistent, high-quality” volume control, despite the extra steps involved for users. The change is set to take effect on September 3, but some users are reportedly already seeing it.
Spotify claims that Apple is refusing to grant access to the same technology that allows Apple Music to play on third-party devices. In a continuation of long-held tensions between the two companies, the streaming service has gone as far as suggesting that this could violate the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which requires major platforms to open up to third-party services.
“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,” Spotify said in its update. “Apple has told us that they require apps to integrate into HomePod in order to access the technology that controls volume on iPhones.”
Spotify’s volume control workaround for Spotify Connect
Apple actually offers an API for third-party music services to stream directly to HomePods, but for whatever reason Spotify has chosen not to implement it. Fortunately, iPhone users running iOS 17 can still start an AirPlay session on HomePod using a Siri command (e.g. “Siri, play Fleetwood Mac on Spotify”). It’s worth noting that this change only affects Spotify Connect on iOS. Spotify users controlling volume via Bluetooth or AirPlay will not be impacted.
Popular Stories
When to Expect the iPhone SE 4 to Launch
Over two and a half years have passed since Apple released the current iPhone SE, so the device is due for an update. Below, we recap the latest rumors about the next-generation iPhone SE, including potential features and launch timing. Timing The latest word comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter on Sunday, he said he expects the next iPhone SE to launch in the…
iPhone 16 Likely to Launch on September 20 With These New Features
Monday August 26, 2024 2:56 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple is likely to launch its new iPhone 16 lineup in stores on Friday, September 20, and the company has Apple already sent out media invites for its iPhone announcement on Monday, with the tagline “It’s Glowtime.” Apple plans to introduce the iPhone 16 models, along with the next-generation Apple Watch models, as well as new AirPods. iPhone 16: What to Expect The iPhone 16 series is…
10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year’s iPhone 17
Wednesday August 28, 2024 2:45 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple’s iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different – already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple’s 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip…
Apple Event Announced for September 9: ‘It’s Glowtime’
Monday August 26, 2024 9:01 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today announced plans to hold its annual iPhone-centric event on Monday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The event is set to start at 10:00 a.m., and select members of the media have been invited to attend. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. This year’s event will see Apple unveil the iPhone 16 lineup, new Apple Watch models, and…
iPhone Driver’s Licenses in Wallet App Rolling Out in Seventh U.S. State
Wednesday August 28, 2024 9:41 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
As noted by 9to5Mac, Apple recently started rolling out the ability for Hawaii residents to add a digital version of their driver’s license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports, businesses, and venues. Hawaii is the seventh U.S. state to support this feature so far,…
Apple Watch X? September 9 Event Date Marks 10th Anniversary
Tuesday August 27, 2024 4:21 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
On September 9, 2014, towards the end of Apple’s iPhone 6 press event, CEO Tim Cook announced “one more thing,” and after a brief video, appeared on stage wearing the first Apple Watch. The date of the original device’s unveiling has led some to wonder whether Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16 event on Monday, September 9 could see a special tenth anniversary version of the Apple Watch debut. The…
All Four iPhone 16 Pro Colors Revealed in New Image
Monday August 19, 2024 4:00 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Leaker Sonny Dickson is back today with a new dummy unit image showing all four iPhone 16 Pro color variants, including the rose gold or “bronze” unit that replaces Blue Titanium in the existing iPhone 15 Pro models. The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to come in black, white or silver, gray or “Natural Titanium,” and a rose or rose gold color replacing Blue Titanium, according to Apple…
