Apple may remove Patreon app from App Store for violating billing rules

Apple has issued an ultimatum to Patreon, threatening to remove an app from the App Store if its creators use third-party payment methods or disable transactions on iOS instead of using Apple’s own in-app purchase system. Patreon announced this on its blog.

Image source: Martin Sanchez/Unsplash

According to a blog statement, the company has already begun a 16-month migration process to move all creators to Apple’s iOS in-app purchase system by November 2025, and from November 2024, Patreon will move everyone to a subscription system where creators can decide whether to upgrade membership cost to cover Apple’s fees or cover these costs yourself.

Content publishers can delay the transition in Patreon settings until November 2025. However, if they choose the latter option, they will not be able to offer subscriptions in the iOS app until they implement Apple’s in-app purchase system, since Apple’s rules will go into effect this November, TechCrunch also explains.

Apple’s decision was another example of how App Store rules are not always applied consistently, which has been the subject of criticism for the company in the past. Recently, Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, filed a lawsuit accusing Apple of monopoly. Although Epic lost the case on the main points, the court ruled that Apple must allow links to alternative payment options within its apps. As a result, Apple now allows developers to promote subscriptions through website links, but at a 27% commission instead of the standard 30%, or 12% instead of 15% for automatic subscriptions in the second year.

Patreon CEO Jack Conte previously explained the company’s special situation by saying that many users found content creators through channels other than the Patreon app itself. However, Apple now insists on complying with its rules.

Patreon has complained about pressure from Apple, noting that neither of the proposed options – raising subscription prices or having creators cover the costs themselves – is ideal. The company also reminded creators that Apple’s fee only applies to the iOS app, and that they can continue to offer the same prices on the website and on Android.