Apple is turning up the pressure on Patreon, threatening to pull the crowdfunding app from the App Store unless it adheres to Apple’s in-app purchasing system. This latest move, outlined in a blog post and direct communications with Patreon creators, sets a tight deadline for transitioning to Apple’s subscription billing by November 2025.
Starting November 2024, Patreon will switch its creators over to Apple’s billing system. Creators will have the choice to either adjust their membership prices to cover Apple’s 30% commission or absorb the cost themselves. Those who opt for a later migration date—until November 2025—will face restrictions, including being unable to offer memberships through the iOS app until they comply with Apple’s billing requirements.
This decision highlights ongoing tensions between Apple and app developers over the App Store’s rules, echoing past conflicts like the one with Epic Games. While the court largely sided with Apple in that case, it did mandate that Apple allow links to alternative payment methods. However, Apple’s compliance remains under scrutiny.
Patreon’s situation illustrates the challenge of navigating Apple’s evolving policies. Despite its previous leeway, which allowed some subscription offerings to bypass Apple’s in-app billing, Patreon now faces a forced shift to align with Apple’s terms. The company acknowledges that neither raising subscription fees nor absorbing the commission is an ideal solution for creators.
As Patreon works through this transition, creators will still be able to offer their memberships on other platforms without Apple’s fees, including on the web and Android. Patreon is directing users to a Help Center article to clarify the impact of these changes and guide them through the process.
The push to adhere to Apple’s rules underscores the broader debate over app store practices and their impact on both developers and users.
