Apple has issued a threat to remove crowdfunding platform Patreon from the App Store if creators continue to use unsupported third-party billing options or disable transactions on iOS. Instead, Apple insists that creators use their in-app purchasing system. In a recent blog post and email to Patreon creators, the company outlined upcoming changes to membership in the iOS app, including a migration process to move all creators to Apple’s subscription billing by November 2025.
Patreon has informed creators that they will be switched over to subscription billing as of November 2024. Creators will have the option to price their memberships higher to cover Apple’s commission or absorb the fee themselves. They can also delay the migration until November 2025 through their Patreon settings. However, if creators choose to delay, they will not be able to offer memberships in the iOS app until they adopt Apple’s subscription billing.
The announcement highlights the disparity in how Apple’s App Store rules are enforced, echoing previous criticisms from companies like Epic Games. While Epic’s lawsuit against Apple did not result in a ruling that Apple is a monopolist, it did require Apple to allow links to other payment options in-app. Despite Apple’s rules, Patreon had previously operated in a gray area, but is now facing pressure to comply with Apple’s policies.
Patreon CEO Jack Conte explained that the platform had previously skirted Apple’s in-app billing requirements, possibly due to its unique discovery methods. However, Apple is now enforcing its rules on Patreon, prompting the platform to alert creators about the need to adjust their subscription pricing or absorb additional costs.
Patreon emphasized that most creators on their platform use subscription billing and that the transition to Apple’s system is necessary, despite not being the company’s preferred method of rolling out changes. Creators were reminded that Apple’s fees only apply to the iOS app, and prices on web and Android platforms can remain unchanged. Creators were also advised to educate their subscribers about iOS fees through a Help Center article.
Both Patreon and Apple were unavailable for immediate comment on the situation.
