Apple found itself in the European Commission's crosshairs after Spotify had complained that the U.S. tech company unfairly restricted rivals to its own music streaming service Apple Music on iPhones.

The EU competition enforcer set out its charges in a so-called statement of objections or charge sheet.

The Commission is now expected to send a "Letter of Facts" to Apple instead, other people familiar with the matter said, adding that there was no final decision yet.

A letter of facts typically contains new evidence reinforcing the original charges against companies which can then counter with a written submission.

The watchdog subsequently considered sending a supplementary statement of objections, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters earlier this year.

The company was hit with another EU antitrust charge in May related to its mobile payment system Apple Pay.

The alleged practices in both cases will be illegal under new EU tech rules known as the Digital Markets Act that will come into force next year with penalties as high as 10% of a company's global turnover.

Apple, which risks a fine as much as 10% of its global turnover if found guilty of breaching EU antitrust rules, did not respond to emailed requests and phone calls for comment.

The Commission also declined to comment.