Spotify Plans to Support AirPlay 2 on iOS

Spotify has clarified that it will support AirPlay 2 on its iOS app, despite an earlier statement contradicting this.

The clarification was made on Spotify’s Community forum in an update to an over 2- year-old post in which people were requesting AirPlay 2 support. Originally, a comment was made by a Spotify representative on the forum, stating AirPlay 2 would not be supported due to "audio driver compatibility issues." The comment has since been deleted.

Released in May 2018 as a part of the iOS 11.4 update, AirPlay 2 allows users to stream music to multiple devices at the same time. Users can stream music from one room and have it play through other devices, like a HomePod, in different rooms with no audio delay.

Apple has a post on its Developer blog that details how programmers can enable AirPlay 2 on their app in four steps. But the issue with Spotify omitting the streaming protocol may go deeper than technical difficulties, and point to business-related issues, instead.

Spotify has had a tumultuous relationship with Apple. In March 2019, the streaming service filed an antitrust complaint against Apple with the European Union, alleging the iPhone maker is hurting consumer choice and holding back innovation in its App Store. There was also an instance of Spotify's chief legal officer and head of global affairs writing an editorial piece in which he called Apple a "ruthless bully."

Despite stating it will add AirPlay 2 support, Spotify didn't say when it would be available on Spotify for iOS or provide any details about how it will work.