Patreon, a leading platform for content creators, announced a phased migration to Apple’s iOS in-app purchase system, set to conclude by November 2025. This move follows Apple’s insistence that Patreon adhere strictly to its in-app purchasing rules, threatening removal from the App Store otherwise. This pressure is part of a broader enforcement of policies that some criticize as inconsistently applied, echoing disputes such as the notable lawsuit by Epic Games against Apple.
Starting November 2024, Patreon will transition creators to subscription billing, with the option for them to either adjust membership fees to cover Apple’s commission or absorb the costs themselves. The company offers creators the ability to delay this migration until November 2025. However, opting for a delay means memberships cannot be offered through the iOS app until the shift to Apple’s system is complete.
Patreon’s situation illustrates the ongoing tension between app developers and Apple’s stringent App Store rules, which have been a point of contention and legal challenge. Despite a court ruling that Apple is not a monopolist, it mandated that Apple must allow developers to include links to alternative payment methods, albeit with a reduced commission structure.
Historically, Patreon has navigated a gray area within these rules, partly because many of its users discover content outside the app itself, according to Patreon CEO Jack Conte in a 2021 interview with The Verge. The platform has not had a special agreement with Apple to bypass these fees and has managed to avoid stringent enforcement until now.
The current directive from Apple forces a shift that Patreon describes as far from ideal. The company expressed its discontent in a blog post, stating, “Most creators on Patreon use subscription billing,” and highlighting its preference for gradual, non-disruptive product rollouts. “Unfortunately, because of Apple’s timelines and constraints, we can’t continue to do it this way,” the post reads. This change poses particular challenges for small business owners and solopreneurs who rely on the platform for revenue.
Patreon reassures that Apple’s fees will only affect iOS app transactions, advising creators to direct their subscribers to a Help Center article for a better understanding of the fee implications. This guidance could help creators and their supporters make informed decisions about where to engage financially, ensuring a transparent transition amid these enforced changes.
