Spotify’s ‘QR code verification’ cracks down on sharing and could ban you for a year

Spotify is rolling out a new method of cracking down on Family plan sharing, with “QR code verification” that’s not particularly hard to work around, but has major consequences if you miss the window. Cracking down on password and/or account sharing has become very common in the world of streaming subscriptions, and Spotify is now trying a new method of limiting the use of its Family plan through a new method – QR code verification. Spotify details this on a support page, explaining that Family plan members may need to “verify they live with the plan manager by scanning a QR code.” The code appears on the device of the plan manager and is scannable following a pop-up that appears on the device of members of the plan. Spotify explains the process: The plan manager opens the QR code on their phone. Find it by tapping your profile picture, then Your Premium, then Manage. The plan member scans the QR code with their phone camera. Both the manager and member need to be in the same place to complete the scan. Users on Reddit spotted this rolling out, adding that the QR code changes “every few seconds.” That makes it harder for a screenshot of the page to be used to complete the process. Some quickly found that using multiple devices and video calls, though, they could work around the process. Image via Reddit Spotify says that users have a 7-day window between when the QR code prompt first appears to complete the verification process. Spotify’s Family plan terms require users to live in the same household. If you miss the 7-day window for scanning the QR code, the consequences are major. Spotify says that users that miss the window “can’t join a different Family or Duo plan for 12 months,” but can still sign up for their own Individual plan. Otherwise, they’re automatically pushed down to the free plan as soon as the window closes. Plan members have 7 days to complete the QR code scan after getting the notification. If a member misses the window or can’t complete verification: They can’t join a different Family or Duo plan for 12 months They can choose a different plan at www.spotify.com/premium The same 12-month sharing ban is imposed on address checks that Spotify has used in the past, but the QR code method is significantly harder to get around. Let us know in the comments below if you’re seeing this. More on Spotify: Spotify rolling out ‘User Notes’ and ‘Running Mode’ features on Android – here’s what they do Spotify adds its own AI chatbot – here’s what you can do with it [Video] Spotify resurrects YouTube Clips to let you share podcast segments as a link Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.