Apple Mandates Patreon to Shift Creator Subscriptions to In-App Purchases by November
▼ Summary
– Patreon is criticizing Apple’s new mandate requiring all creators to switch to a subscription billing model using Apple’s in-app purchase system by November 2026.
– The change impacts only 4% of creators still on Patreon’s legacy billing, but the company argues Apple’s inconsistent policy changes hinder creators’ ability to build stable businesses.
– Apple initially set a November 2025 deadline to force this transition, as Patreon was previously managing some billing outside Apple’s system to avoid its commissions.
– Patreon had paused the transition after a court ruling allowed external payment links, but Apple has now reinstated a new deadline, adding to creator confusion.
– While complying, Patreon strongly disagrees with Apple’s decision and has built tools to help creators transition, despite Apple declining its proposed solutions.
Apple has issued a new mandate requiring the creator platform Patreon to shift all remaining creator subscriptions to its in-app purchase system by November 2026. This directive specifically targets the small percentage of creators still using Patreon’s older billing models, compelling them to adopt Apple’s payment processing. While Patreon is complying with the order, the company has voiced significant frustration, arguing that Apple’s inconsistent policy changes create instability for creators trying to build sustainable businesses.
The conflict stems from a 2024 Apple announcement. At that time, Apple informed Patreon it must migrate all creator billing to Apple’s in-app purchase framework by November 2025 or face potential removal from the App Store. Apple’s position was that Patreon managing billing for some subscriptions circumvented the tech giant’s standard commission structure. Patreon was initially granted a lengthy transition period, planning to start the shift in November 2024. Creators were given options to adjust subscription prices to account for Apple’s fees or delay the change until the 2025 deadline, though they would lose the ability to offer in-app subscriptions until they complied.
The situation became more complex in May of last year. Following the U.S. court ruling in the Epic v. Apple case, which loosened some App Store guidelines, Patreon began allowing creators to process payments via web links within its app. At that point, Patreon informed its user base that the earlier November 2025 deadline was no longer active, providing more flexibility. Patreon now states that Apple’s decision to reimpose a deadline, this time for November 2026, after that pause has contributed to confusion and whiplash for creators.
In a public statement, Patreon expressed strong disagreement with Apple’s latest move. The company emphasized that creators require consistent and clear policies to operate successfully. “Creators using legacy billing will now have to endure the whiplash of another policy reversal , the third such change from Apple in the past 18 months,” the company noted. Patreon also revealed that it has proposed multiple tools and features to Apple over the years to help creators transition on their own schedules with better support, but Apple has consistently declined these proposals.
Despite the friction, Patreon is moving forward with the required changes and has developed several resources to assist creators. These include a benefit eligibility tool to track payments, tier repricing tools, and options for gifting and discounts to offer payment flexibility. The platform also plans to introduce an annual-only membership option before the November 2026 deadline. Creators seeking detailed information on the transition plan are directed to Patreon’s official website.
(Source: TechCrunch)
