Apple changes the payment rules for the iOS app 'Patreon' and ends up collecting up to 30% commission from creators, causing Patreon to become outraged
Apple has changed its rules for creator support platform Patreon three times in the past year and a half, forcing the platform to adapt. Patreon has filed a complaint against Apple, arguing that consistency and transparency are essential to building a healthy, long-term business for its users.
Apple has reimposed its subscription billing mandate for creators on Patreon
iOS In-app Purchases and Migrating to Subscription Billing FAQ – Patreon Help Center
Patreon is a platform where creators can offer their works and services to their fans, and creators can choose from a variety of payment models, such as per-work or monthly subscriptions.
In 2024, Apple ordered the iOS version of Patreon to consolidate all of its pricing models into monthly subscriptions via in-app purchases. At the time, Apple was taking a commission from all iOS apps that had a payment system, but Patreon was managing its own payment system outside of the app, which was seen as circumventing Apple's fee structure.
Patreon, while concerned that this would limit creators' freedom, has begun the process of transitioning all creators to in-app purchases by the deadline of November 2025. Apple's fees for subscriptions will be up to 30%, forcing creators to choose between raising prices or keeping prices the same and reducing their revenue.
However, a turning point came in April 2025. Epic Games, which had long been challenging Apple's fees, filed a lawsuit. The lawsuit highlighted Apple's fee not only for in-app purchases, for which Apple has control, but also for purchases made outside of apps. The court ruled that imposing fees on in-app purchases was prohibited.
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In response, Apple reversed course and allowed Patreon to continue with out-of-app purchases. However, because the lawsuit was filed in the United States, the transition to in-app purchases remains mandatory outside of the United States.
Then, in January 2026, Apple changed the rules again, ordering all users, including those in the US, to switch to in-app subscriptions, with a new deadline of November 1, 2026.
In response to the ever-changing rules, Patreon declared, 'We strongly disagree with this decision. We deeply regret that Apple's changes to its requirements have put creators in this position.'
'Failure to comply with the rules could result in apps being removed from the App Store, so Patreon has begun the transition process again and is ready to support affected creators. While only 4% of creators are using the traditional pricing model, Patreon emphasized that 'Apple's inconsistent changes to its terms are making it difficult for creators to build a healthy, long-term business.'
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