Monday, 7 July 2025
29.9 C
Singapore
33.8 C
Thailand
19.1 C
Indonesia
29.9 C
Philippines

Spotify users face volume control changes on iPhone

Starting September 3, Spotify Connect users on iPhones will lose the ability to control volume with physical buttons due to Apple's changes.

If you’re a Spotify user on an iPhone, be prepared for a change in how you control the volume on connected devices. From September 3, you will no longer be able to use the physical volume buttons on your phone to adjust the sound on nearby speakers, smart TVs, game consoles, or any other device connected through Spotify Connect. Instead, you’ll have to use an in-app slider to make these changes.

This development comes after Spotify announced that Apple had “discontinued” the technology that allowed iPhone users to control volume on connected devices using the physical buttons. As a result, users are now left with the inconvenient task of managing volume levels through the Spotify app itself.

How will this affect you?

Spotify Connect, a feature many of you rely on to control music playback across various devices, is at the centre of this change. It allows your phone to act as a remote control, seamlessly adjusting volume levels and skipping tracks on any connected device. However, with this recent update, when you try to use the physical volume buttons on your iPhone, a notification will appear asking, “Want to change the volume?” You will then have to tap on this notification and use the volume slider that appears within the app.

This slider will automatically pop up if you press the volume button while the app is open. Some of you may have noticed this change, as it has started rolling out ahead of the official date.

Why is this happening?

According to Spotify, Apple has forced the change upon them. The music streaming giant claims that Apple has refused to grant it access to the same technology that allows Apple Music to play on third-party devices. As a result, Spotify says using the iPhone’s physical volume toggle has become “unstable,” causing issues like sudden volume spikes during playback.

Spotify argues that this new in-app solution will provide a “persistent, high-quality” volume control experience. This isn’t the first time such a change has occurred; a similar issue has been reported with the Sonos app, which no longer allows iPhone users to adjust volume using physical buttons.

In an update, Spotify said, “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.” However, Apple responded that apps must be integrated into the HomePod system to gain access to this technology.

What does this mean for third-party music services?

This is not the first time Spotify has clashed with Apple over access to key iOS technologies. Despite some third-party music services being able to stream directly to Apple’s HomePod, many major platforms, including Spotify, have not implemented the required API. Instead, they use AirPlay, Apple’s wireless streaming protocol, to play songs. While this process was slightly streamlined with iOS 17, allowing users to ask Siri to start an AirPlay session, it still lacks the simplicity of direct integration.

Spotify has been vocal about its ongoing disputes with Apple, accusing the tech giant of “restricting interoperability” with other platforms. They suggest that this could be a breach of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which aims to prevent “digital gatekeepers” like Apple from unfairly blocking third-party services.

For now, iPhone users who enjoy listening to Spotify on connected devices will have to adapt to these changes. Whether this sparks further debate between the two tech giants remains to be seen, but for now, your physical volume buttons will no longer serve their usual purpose when using Spotify Connect.

Hot this week

Embedded LLM and AMD launch TokenVisor to boost AI monetisation for GPU neoclouds

Embedded LLM and AMD launch TokenVisor, a platform enabling monetisation and management of AMD GPU clusters for LLM workloads.

Apple hits key milestone in foldable iPhone development

Apple’s foldable iPhone has reached a key milestone with a working prototype, and the company is eyeing a potential launch in the second half of 2026.

E Ink transforms laptop touchpads into smart e-reader displays for AI use

E Ink’s new touchpad brings e-reader tech to laptops, offering a low-power screen for AI apps and assistants right under your fingertips.

Singapore ramps up AI investments but faces hurdles in scaling enterprise adoption

A new IBM study finds that while AI investment is growing in Singapore, few businesses have succeeded in scaling it across the organisation.

DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro review: Rugged performance meets refined control

DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro delivers 4K HDR video, 40MP photos, and OLED dual screens in a rugged design built for creators in extreme environments.

Sony halts Xperia 1 VII sales in several Asian markets due to technical issues

Sony halts Xperia 1 VII sales in several Asian countries after users report shutdown issues, although it remains available in Singapore for now.

Embedded LLM and AMD launch TokenVisor to boost AI monetisation for GPU neoclouds

Embedded LLM and AMD launch TokenVisor, a platform enabling monetisation and management of AMD GPU clusters for LLM workloads.

Kahoot! teams up with Tour de France to deliver interactive learning experiences

Kahoot! partners with Tour de France to bring interactive cycling-themed learning to classrooms, fan parks, and homes worldwide.

How will AI integration transform industries in 2025?

AI is transforming industries in 2025 through innovation, efficiency, and new business models. Explore key tech investments, sector impacts, and future trends.

Related Articles

Popular Categories