Apple Threatens to Remove Patreon from App Store Over In-App Purchase System
Patreon’s Struggle with Apple’s App Store Rules
In a recent blog post and email to creators, Patreon announced that it has begun a 16-month-long migration process to move all creators to Apple’s iOS in-app purchase system by November 2025. This move comes as Apple has threatened to remove Patreon from the App Store if creators use unsupported third-party billing options or disable transactions on iOS, instead of using Apple’s own in-app purchasing system for Patreon’s subscriptions.
The Issue at Hand
Patreon’s announcement serves as another example of how Apple’s App Store rules have been applied unevenly. Critics, including Fortnite maker Epic Games, have accused Apple of being a monopolist and have sued the tech giant over antitrust issues. Although Epic largely lost that lawsuit, it did succeed in getting Apple to allow links to other payment options inside their apps.
Patreon’s Past Exceptions
Despite Apple’s rules and policies, Patreon had existed in an odd sort of gray area for some time. Some of its subscription-based offerings could be consumed in its app while others could not. In 2021, Patreon CEO Jack Conte told tech news site The Verge that many users didn’t come to Patreon itself to discover creators and content, instead discovering them through other channels.
The Problem with Apple’s Fees
Patreon is not happy with the recent pressure from Apple to comply with its policies. According to the company, neither of the options presented – either raising their subscription prices or eating the cost themselves – is "ideal." Patreon points out that most creators use subscription billing and that they have been slowly rolling it out over the past few years.
The Impact on Creators
Patreon’s migration process will force all creators to adopt Apple’s iOS in-app purchase system by November 2025. However, creators can opt to delay the migration until November 2025, but this means they won’t be able to offer memberships in the iOS app until they adopt Apple’s system.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Apple’s Fees
Apple’s fees only apply to the iOS app, and creators can continue to offer the same prices on the web and Android. However, Patreon advises creators to send their fans to a Help Center article that explains iOS fees so subscribers "can better understand the implications of where they choose to make their purchases."
The Future of Patreon and Apple
Patreon and Apple were not immediately available for further comment. The announcement has sparked concerns among creators about the impact on their businesses. As Patreon continues to navigate Apple’s App Store rules, it remains to be seen how this will affect its business model and creator relationships.
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