Patreon slams Apple for “whiplash” policy reversals on creator billing
Apple has mandated that Patreon transition all creators using legacy billing to its in-app purchase system for subscriptions by November 1, 2026, after previous policy adjustments. This affects 4% of creators and follows Apple’s 2024 announcement citing circumvention of App Store commissions.
In 2024, Apple issued a requirement for Patreon to shift every creator to subscription billing processed through Apple’s in-app purchase system by November 2025. Failure to comply would result in Patreon’s removal from the App Store. Apple identified that Patreon handled billing directly for a portion of creators’ subscriptions, an arrangement the company viewed as bypassing its standard App Store commission fees applied to digital transactions.
Patreon received an extended period for this migration. The platform outlined its approach to implement the switch to subscription billing starting in November 2024. Under this plan, creators gained the option to adjust their subscription prices upward to offset Apple’s associated fees. Additionally, creators could elect to postpone the changes until November 2025, providing further flexibility during the adjustment phase. Until full adoption of Apple’s in-app purchases, affected creators could not offer subscriptions directly within the Patreon app.
In May 2024, developments from the U.S. court ruling in Epic v. Apple led to relaxed App Store guidelines. Patreon utilized these changes to enable creators to handle web-based payments through links embedded in the Patreon app. At that juncture, Patreon informed creators that the November 2025 deadline no longer applied, effectively extending the timeline for decisions on subscription management.
Apple subsequently reinstated a transition requirement, setting the new endpoint at November 1, 2026. This prompted Patreon to halt its ongoing transition process for creators. The platform highlighted the resulting confusion stemming from Apple’s repeated alterations to its policies.
Patreon expressed public opposition to Apple’s stance while confirming compliance. In a blog post, the company stated, “We strongly disagree with this decision.” The post continued, “Creators need consistency and clarity in order to build healthy, long-term businesses. Instead, 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.”
Patreon further detailed its history of collaboration attempts in the same blog post: “Over the years, we have proposed multiple tools and features to Apple that we could’ve built to allow creators using legacy billing to transition on their own timelines, with more support added in. Unfortunately, Apple has continually declined them.” These rejected proposals aimed to facilitate smoother, creator-paced shifts without rigid deadlines.
To assist creators during the mandated transition, Patreon developed specific support tools. These include a benefit-eligibility tool, which allows creators to review who has paid or remains scheduled for payment. Tier-repricing tools enable adjustments to subscription levels to account for new fee structures. Gifting and discount tools provide options for payment flexibility, helping retain supporters amid changes.
Patreon also plans to roll out annual-only memberships prior to the November 2026 deadline. This feature offers creators an additional billing option within the compliant framework.
Creators affected by these developments can access comprehensive details on the full transition plan via Patreon’s website. The site outlines timelines, tools, and steps for migration to Apple’s in-app purchase system.