Photo Credit: emojisprout
Spotify is set to make music streaming more accessible for users looking to switch platforms—a move to address flatlining subscription numbers in the US. A recent APK teardown has revealed references to a new ‘import music’ tool, with Spotify following Apple’s lead yet again.
Android Authority found reference strings in an Android APK teardown that appear to show how Spotify will allow users to migrate playlists and tracks from other services directly to Spotify. Switching to Spotify from another service usually means rebuilding playlists manually or paying to use third-party tools. Now it appears as though Spotify is set to make the transition easier on potential new customers.
The code suggests the import function will live in the ‘Your Library’ tab of the app. A message in the interface notes that an internet connection is required for importing. The exact mechanism for importing music remains unclear—though playlist migration is a top user request. Spotify already supports local audio file recognition, so this tool is specifically built for cross-platform migration from other digital service providers (DSPs).
The feature is still in development, with no confirmed release date yet. APK teardowns typically only provide hints about future releases—references to Spotify’s still missing HiFi tier were discovered years ago. Spotify is once again playing catch-up with Apple Music, which launched a similar music import tool that allows users to migrate away from Spotify or YouTube Music to Apple Music.
The Apple Music tool integrates a third-party tool called SongShift, one of the paid music migration tools. Apple Music users do not need to pay to migrate and they can do so by using the Apple Music app on iPhone, iPad, Android, and the web.
The introduction of these features highlights how DSPs are aiming to reduce friction for users looking to switch platforms. Music subscription growth in the United States has reached a peak, so DSPs are fighting to retain users and keep them from going elsewhere. Apple’s introduction of spatial audio at no extra cost has left many users interested in migrating their playlists—especially since Android support for Apple Music has grown in the last few years.
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