New Apple policy forces Patreon to adopt iOS in-app purchases

Apple's constant requirement for apps to conform to its payment system has sparked a shift in how companies operate, with Patreon being the latest example. The tech giant has mandated that Patreon must transition to the iOS in-app purchase system or face removal from the platform. This change will significantly affect creators who rely on the app to monetize their content through memberships.

Impact on Creators

By this November, all creators on the Patreon iOS app will be required to offer subscription-based plans only. This shift is a result of the app store not supporting other formats, and as a consequence, Patreon will implement a 16-month migration process to transition all memberships to subscriptions by November 2025. This change will mark the end of other payment formats, demonstrating Apple's extensive influence over app monetization.

Moreover, Apple will take a substantial 30 percent cut from all subscriptions made through the Patreon iOS app after November. This aligns with the company's previous actions regarding in-app commerce purchases since early 2024. In response to this, Patreon has developed a tool that allows creators to adjust their prices on the iOS app while keeping them unchanged on the browser site and Android devices. Additionally, creators have the option to disable this functionality if they wish to maintain consistent pricing across platforms.

This series of changes highlights the dominance that Apple wields in the app ecosystem and its impact on companies like Patreon and their user bases. Creators operating on the iOS platform will need to adapt to these new limitations and potential financial implications as they navigate the evolving landscape shaped by Apple's policies.