xManager team issues statement following Spotify's crackdown on modded APKs

For the past week, Spotify users who’ve been using modded versions of the app have been running into various issues. Playlists are showing up empty for many and some can’t even play any songs. While we did spot some users with the official app also experiencing issues with playlists, it’s clear that those with modded versions are most affected. Now, the xManager team, a group known for creating modded Spotify APKs, has stepped in with a statement to shed light on what’s happening.

The xManager team explained that many of the modded APKs floating around are built off their work. But they said most other developers can’t copy their patches correctly. They’ve found a quick fix — killing the app’s signature — but it’s not a lasting solution. “It only works for a short time, anywhere from 30 minutes to a few weeks,” they noted on Discord. Spotify catches on fast and blocks it again. The team has been modding Spotify for almost ten years. They’ve seen the company tighten restrictions with every update, making their job tougher.

They also talked about why they won’t share their patches openly. Going open-source could put their project in jeopardy, especially since Spotify is cracking down to protect its profits. Instead, they urged users to grab patches from trusted places. Surprisingly, they even suggested buying a Spotify premium subscription to support the platform if fans like their work. The team promised a new patched version soon, one that fixes the empty playlist glitch along with other bugs.

Elsewhere, the ReVanced team jumped in with their own fix. They released a “Spoof signature” patch to get pre-patched Spotify versions, like xManager’s, working again. But xManager isn’t convinced it’ll hold up long-term. They think Spotify will find a way around it eventually.

Users are feeling the heat too. Many are annoyed with Spotify’s moves and are hunting for options like YouTube Music. Others are sticking with temporary fixes to keep their playlists alive. Oddly, even some people without modded apps have reported playlist troubles, hinting that the issue might not just be about mods.

This tug-of-war is still playing out. The xManager and ReVanced teams are pushing forward with fixes. But with Spotify determined to safeguard its revenue, the future of modded APKs looks shaky.