Spotify replacing Xbox One’s Groove Music Pass

Spotify will take over as Xbox One’s music service, Microsoft announced yesterday, and the console’s Groove Music Pass will close down at the end of the year.

The Spotify app was added to Xbox One back in August, after a 16-month stretch where the music service was exclusive to PlayStation. Groove Music Pass is effectively doing the same PlayStation Music did in turning over streaming music to Spotify. Groove Music Pass will close on Dec. 31, 2017.

Groove Music Pass users may move their playlists (but not ones they follow) and collection from Groove directly into Spotify, Microsoft said. They’re also eligible for Spotify’s 60-day free trial if they haven’t taken one before.

Those who hold a Groove Music Pass subscription that extends beyond Dec. 31 will be given a prorated refund or a Microsoft gift card for the remaining value.

The Groove Music app will remain open and updated until Dec. 31 so users can continue to play and manage the music they have purchased. But after Dec. 31, all Groove Music Pass content is unplayable.

Microsoft is advising users to download their songs before then, noting that they are still playable on the Groove Music app. Or their collections can be migrated to Spotify beginning sometime in mid-October.

More information can be found in this FAQ Microsoft prepared about the transition.