Spotify is tightening verification rules for its Premium Family plan, introducing QR code checks designed to confirm that members live at the same address as the plan manager.
The change makes it harder for friends, co-workers or other users living separately to share the lower-cost Family subscription. In the United States, the plan costs $21 a month and supports up to six accounts, while an individual Premium subscription costs $13 a month.
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QR Code Check Requires Members to Be Together
Spotify’s verification process requires both the Premium Family plan manager and the member to be in the same location when the QR code check is completed.
The company may ask a member to provide or confirm their full address when they join the plan, when the manager changes the registered address, or when Spotify is unable to verify that the member lives at the same location.
Simply entering the same address on different accounts may therefore not be enough to satisfy the new verification process.
Failed Verification Removes Member From Plan
Once Spotify asks a member to verify their address, the user has seven days to complete the process.
If the verification is missed or fails, the member loses access to the Premium Family plan and is moved to Spotify’s free tier.
Spotify also says the affected member cannot join another Family or Duo plan for one year. The remaining option would be to subscribe to an individual Premium plan.
Users Compare Move With Netflix Crackdown
The change has prompted criticism from some users online, with several comparing Spotify’s approach to Netflix’s earlier restrictions on password sharing and household access.
Some users said the verification process could create difficulties even for relatives who are genuinely part of the same family but do not live permanently at the same address.
Others said the policy could push them to consider rival music streaming services such as Apple Music or YouTube Music.
The new checks reflect Spotify’s effort to enforce the existing requirement that Premium Family members belong to the same household.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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