Apple has mandated that Patreon, a platform that allows creators to offer paid memberships to their fans, must switch to Apple’s in-app purchase system by November 2024 or face removal from the App Store.
This requirement impacts all creators using the Patreon iOS app, who must transition to subscription-based billing, as the App Store does not support other payment formats like first-of-the-month or per-creation plans.
To comply, Patreon has started a 16-month migration process that will be completed by November 2025. Starting from November 2024, all creators using the Patreon iOS app will be required to:
- Switch to subscription billing: The App Store does not support other payment formats like first-of-the-month or per-creation plans.
- Adopt Apple’s in-app purchase system: Apple will take a 30 percent commission on all subscriptions processed through the app, a practice that began earlier in 2024 for other in-app commerce purchases on the platform.
To help creators manage this change, Patreon has developed a tool that allows them to adjust their pricing within the iOS app to cover Apple’s commission, while keeping their rates unchanged on the web and Android devices. However, creators can choose to disable this tool if they prefer not to increase their prices.
What Happens If Creators Delay the Transition?
Patreon has informed creators that they have until November 2025 to fully transition to Apple’s in-app purchase system. However, if they choose to delay the migration until then, they will not be able to offer memberships through the iOS app until they comply with Apple’s requirements. Patreon emphasized that Apple’s fees apply only to transactions made through the iOS app, allowing creators to maintain their current pricing for memberships purchased on other platforms, such as the web or Android.
This change follows criticism Apple has faced over its App Store policies, with some accusing the company of enforcing its rules inconsistently.
Notably, Fortnite maker Epic Games sued Apple over antitrust issues, claiming that Apple’s control over in-app purchasing was monopolistic. While Apple largely won the lawsuit, the court did rule that Apple must allow developers to link to other payment options inside their apps, albeit with a slightly reduced commission compared to Apple’s standard rate.
Despite these rulings, Patreon had operated in a gray area where some of its offerings bypassed Apple’s billing requirements. However, with this new directive, Patreon is now under pressure to fully comply with Apple’s policies.
Patreon expressed dissatisfaction with Apple’s demand, noting that neither option provided to creators—raising their subscription prices or absorbing Apple’s commission—is ideal. The company pointed out that it had originally planned to roll out subscription billing gradually, allowing creators to transition at their own pace. However, due to Apple’s imposed timelines, Patreon must now accelerate this process.
What Should Creators Do Next?
Patreon has advised creators to communicate with their subscribers about the implications of purchasing memberships through the iOS app. The company suggested directing fans to a Help Center article that explains the fees associated with iOS transactions, ensuring subscribers understand the cost differences depending on where they make their purchases.
Featured Image courtesy of Patreon
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