Spotify claims Apple has discontinued certain volume control technology on iOS

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Volume controls are the new bone of contention between Spotify and Apple that turned into war recently. According to Spotify, Apple ‘disabled’ ability or technology that enables users to control the volume level on iOS devices since using Spotify Connect. For now, as Spotify fixes the problem, it is possible to adjust the volume only with the help of the volume control in the iOS application. This issue does not impact users that connect with Bluetooth AirPlay, or Android platform users.

A support article from Spotify said Apple ‘has disabled the feature that lets Spotify alter the volume of connected devices through the buttons on the device. ’ For the time being, customers can change the volume through the Spotify interface.

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Spotify Connect lets you connect with speakers TVs or other related hardware once in control these connected devices can be controlled through the app. Before it was using iPhone volume buttons which continues to work on Apple TV and HomePod up to this date. However, sources said that Apple has informed Spotify that it would require it to integrate with HomePod to re-establish this feature. The key missing feature up until now was the support of HomePod through Spotify; officially joining the list in 2018, while others such as Pandora, YouTube Music, Deezer and TuneIn, iHeartRadio joined the bandwagon later.

At the moment, Spotify will inform the users within the app that they should change the volume with the device buttons. Although this is not as convenient, this seems to be a temporary fix. Also, it seems to affect Google Cast on iOS, Though the problem was reported early this year.

Spotify has also accused Apple of breaching another law also approved in Europe, the Digital Markets Act (DMA), that focuses on ‘gatekeepers’ who adopt unfair conduct. This comes after Spotify has recently been able to show prices within its app in the EU by the recent €1. 8 billion fine handed to Apple for App Store rules on other music streaming apps in March.