Spotify implements new QR code verification for Premium Family plan members

Date:
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 14:06:02 +0000

Description:
Premium Family members must now prove to Spotify they live in the same household as the account holder.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Spotify is rolling out a new verification process for Premium Family members Users must now scan the account manager's QR code to confirm they're part of the same household Spotify will boot you back to the free tier and give you a 12-month Premium Family ban if you fail to verify The Netflix password-sharing crackdown is rubbing off on one of the best music streaming services now Spotify is
taking its own approach to putting a stop to Premium Family plan sharing.

Spotify is enforcing this via a new QR code verification system, which has started rolling out to a number of users if theyre not at the same address as the account manager. The QR code appears on the account holders device, requiring those under the plan to scan it in order to verify that youre
living in the same household. This code updates every few seconds, making it harder for users to use screenshots to bypass the process. The platform goes into the verification process in detail on its support page , clarifying that it doesnt use location tracking but instead checks your address to verify its the same one as the account managers. Additionally, Spotify states that both the manager and member need to be in the same place to complete the scan. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

If you receive a verification prompt, youll have a 7-day window to complete the scan, but failure to comply comes with consequences. Spotify will boot
you back to ad-listening on the free tier as well as banning you from joining another Premium Family or Duo plan for 12 months. It really does feel like a prison sentence. Spotify Family Plan crackdown? from r/truespotify As you can imagine, users are beyond frustrated with Spotifys latest move, and despite not being on the Premium Family plan myself, even I cant fathom the ridiculousness of it all. You may like Spotify adds feature to exclude kids' music from recommendations and Wrapped Microsoft 365 Family plan slashes
cloud storage from 6TB to 2TB Streams and roundabouts: Apple Music just fixed one long-running issue, while Spotify added a different one

We dont know if this is region-specific, but a number of users on Reddit have received verification prompts despite there being no formal announcement from the company. Self sabotage by Spotify. If I have to do this more than once
for my kids that live at home I'm shutting it down, an angry Redditor posted
.

One of the many users' frustrations is with, of course, money. By limiting Premium Family as a solely household plan, Spotify will drive a huge number
of users out of the grouped plan and leave them with no option but to sign up to Premium Individual. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
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This plan is priced at $12.99 / 12.99 / AU$15.99 a month, while Premium
Family is $21.99 / 21.99 / AU$25.99 a month and includes up to six individual accounts which is roughly $3.665 / 3.665 / AU$4.331 per individual account. The more users Spotify can force into Premium Individual accounts, the more subscription revenue it can generate, but its so much more than money.

For me, the most ridiculous part is Spotifys narrow definition of what a family is, as a large majority of Premium Family users are members who have moved out of their parents home but are still on the same plan for example, students who move away from home to study. So, in Spotifys eyes, these types of families are essentially considered lesser than a family whose members still live under the same roof.

Equally, Spotifys Premium Family plan has been helpful for adults to guide their not-so-tech literate elderly parents through navigating digital streaming, as another Redditor highlights . Someone takes control of the account, sets up a profile for their parents, shows them the ropes, and lets them listen away. Not only does the verification remove this, it also gets
rid of the novelty of families comparing their music tastes and reminiscing about their old favourites together.

It has to be said that until now, Spotify has been on its best behavior and even rolled out helpful tools to exclude your kids music from your recommendations , which has been welcomed by Premium Family members but the new verification process just feels like one step forward, three steps back. In that case, Spotify should rebrand Premium Family to 'Premium Household' to avoid confusion.

Weve reached out to Spotify for further comment, and will update this story if/ when we hear back. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/spotify/spotifys-crack-down-on-family-plan-sha ring-could-land-you-a-12-month-ban-and-it-could-be-the-final-straw-for-users-m yself-included


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