TechCrunch reported that Spotify confirmed on its Q3 earnings call that it is verifying Family plan members. Its support page says it "may ask some Premium Family members" to prove they live with the plan manager by scanning a QR code on the manager's phone with their own phone camera in the mobile app.

How the QR code check works

  • The manager opens the code. On their phone, tap the profile picture, then Your Premium, then Manage.
  • The member scans it. Use the phone camera.
  • Same place. Manager and member must be together for the scan.
  • Mobile app only. Both people need the latest version of the app.
  • 7 days. Members have 7 days from the notification to finish.

What happens if you miss it

If a member misses the window or cannot complete the check:

  • They cannot join a different Family or Duo plan for 12 months.
  • They can choose a different plan at spotify.com/premium.

If the scan fails

Spotify's troubleshooting list:

  • Update the app on both phones.
  • Check that the date and time are correct on both devices.
  • Close and reopen the app.
  • Scan in person. The code changes every few seconds.

The separate address check

If Spotify cannot confirm a member's address, it emails them to re-enter their full address within 7 days. On failure or a missed window:

  • The member loses access to the plan and switches to the free version.
  • They can join the same Family or Duo plan again.
  • They cannot join any other Family or Duo plan for 12 months from the date verification failed.

Spotify says it does not track location and only checks the address to verify.

Spotify's explanation

Co-CEO Alex Norström, answering an investor question on that call, called the change a "routine improvement" rather than a crackdown. He said Family has existed for about 12 to 13 years and is a significant share of subscribers, and that verification will keep improving, with no stated end point.

Why it matters

A member who is away from the manager when the notification arrives has two options. They can arrange an in-person scan within 7 days of the notification, with both people in the same place, because the code changes every few seconds. Or they face the 12-month lockout from other Family and Duo plans.

What Spotify has not said

Spotify's page does not say how many members will get the QR prompt, which countries it covers, when it started or how members are chosen.

For other subscription changes, see Netflix's layoffs and its US plans and the X Subscription plans.