Spotify Account Rules: Shared Plan Members Must Scan QR Codes In Person

Spotify is enforcing a new physical verification step for members of its shared subscription tiers.

The change requires individuals to meet in person with the primary account holder to scan a specific QR code. This process verifies that all users reside at the same address, a condition written into the terms for Family and Duo plans. Spotify support documentation now confirms the policy, following user reports on social media about the new prompts.

The company has set a seven-day deadline for this verification. Users who fail to scan the address-verification code on the plan manager's device within that period will see their accounts moved to the free tier. They will also be blocked from joining any other Duo or Family plan for the next 12 months.

Spotify has long required that members of a family plan live together. The new enforcement mechanism closes a gap between the written rule and previous practices, where oversight was minimal. This shift targets households that do not fit the standard cohabitation model, including situations where a child attends college or a spouse travels for work.

Financial analysts have identified this area as a source of potential revenue. In a report dated October 15, Goldman Sachs estimated that a meaningful share of family plan users are friends sharing a subscription to lower costs, rather than actual household members. The report, titled "Music in the Air: 10 Years On," noted that tightening household verification offers additional monetization upside.

The crackdown may impact families who believed they were using the plans correctly. By mandating a physical scan, Spotify ensures that the primary account holder and the secondary member are in the same location at the moment of verification. This method confirms proximity more strictly than previous digital checks.

The next step for affected users is immediate. They must coordinate with their plan manager to complete the scan before the seven-day window closes. Failure to do so results in an automatic downgrade to the free version of the service.