Patreon creators who monetize their work via memberships and subscriptions on iOS will soon have to pay Apple’s standard 30% app store tax. Starting in November, all in-app payments in the Patreon iOS app must run through Apple’s payment system, meaning a significant cut of each transaction goes to the tech giant.
This marks a shift from Patreon’s previous setup, under which in-app payments were handled by third-party providers, effectively circumventing Apple’s cut. Apple has cracked down on the practice, however, insisting that purchases of digital content use its payment processing. In a message to patrons, Patreon acknowledged they have no choice but to comply if wanting to remain on the App Store.
That could alter how some creators structure their membership offerings, as Apple’s iron-clad system doesn’t have the same flexible payment options Patreon does. The trick to offset those extra costs: Patreon has built a tool that allows creators to silently raise iOS prices to be in line with other platforms, where Apple’s cut doesn’t apply.
While Patreon slid under the radar for years, Apple is now cracking down on its in-app transactions. That’s going to be a much harder punch than it was when it was just digital products earlier. Creators can either pass the extra costs on to subscribers or pay the premium themselves.
It has fallen short of the scathing remarks that companies like Spotify and Epic have made against Apple’s policies, but it quietly guides users toward signing up with web and Android alternative methods to avoid Apple’s surcharge. That has the same effect—subscribers who use iOS end up shouldering higher rates so Apple can take its cut.
