Apple Music may follow Spotify with free and low-cost subscriptions: Report
Code strings found in Apple Music’s Android beta suggest the company may be testing free or low-cost subscription tiers, including skip limits, potentially mirroring Spotify’s model. However, Apple Music’s leadership has previously opposed free tiers, leaving uncertainty about the plans’ final form or release date.
Apple may be preparing to introduce free or low-cost subscription tiers for Apple Music, according to code strings discovered in the app’s Android beta version. Analyst Aaron Perris, working with MacRumors, identified references to ‘premium access’ and a ‘skip limit’ message, which currently does not exist for paid Apple Music subscribers. The strings imply potential restrictions on track-skipping, a common feature in free tiers offered by competitors like Spotify. The findings suggest Apple could be exploring a free ad-supported tier or a low-cost plan to compete with Spotify, though no official details have been confirmed. Perris noted the strings might also relate to Apple Music’s radio features rather than subscription changes. However, the skip-limit message aligns with free-tier restrictions seen on other platforms, raising speculation about a possible shift in Apple’s strategy. Despite the speculation, Apple Music CEO Oliver Schusser recently reaffirmed the company’s stance against free music streaming tiers in an interview with Bloomberg. He argued that free services harm the industry and emphasized Apple Music’s position as the only major platform without a free option. This contradicts the beta code hints, leaving uncertainty about whether Apple plans to introduce a free or low-cost tier or if the changes will focus on premium features instead. For now, Apple has not commented on the beta strings, which often do not translate into final product features. The company frequently tests ideas in beta versions that may never reach consumers. Until official confirmation, the exact nature and timing of any subscription changes remain unclear. The discovery follows Apple Music’s existing subscription plans, which include Individual, Student, Family, and Apple One tiers—all paid options. The absence of a free tier has long set Apple apart from competitors like Spotify, which offers both free and premium plans. Whether Apple will follow suit or introduce alternative subscription models remains to be seen.
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