Spotify requires in-person QR scans to maintain family plan access

Spotify is requiring users to scan a QR code in person on the plan manager's device to maintain access to Family and Duo subscription plans. As reported by Music Business Worldwide, users who fail to complete this address verification within seven days will have their accounts demoted to the free tier. Additionally, these users will be barred from joining any other Duo or Family plan for 12 months.

Spotify's support documentation confirms the policy after users on Reddit began posting reports of receiving the QR prompt. The enforcement action stems from Spotify's requirement that family plan members reside at the same address. While the policy is reasonable in concept, it may affect actual families where members are separated by physical distance, such as a child away in college or a spouse who works on the road.

Goldman Sachs analysts addressed this issue in their October 15 report, "Music in the Air: 10 Years On," which was made available by HITS Daily Double. The analysts suggested that a significant portion of those on family plans are not residents of the same household, but rather peers collaborating to lower individual costs. The report noted that there is additional monetization upside from tightening household verification on multi-user plans. Goldman Sachs observed that most family plans require members to reside at the same address, but enforcement has been minimal in practice.