Why is Apple forcing Patreon creators to change their billing model?

Apple has renewed its requirement that all Patreon creators must move to subscription billing, ending the ability for creators to charge fans outside the App Store without paying Apple's fees.

How many Patreon creators are affected by Apple's billing mandate?

Approximately 4 percent of Patreon creators are using the legacy billing models that are affected by Apple's mandate.

Home / Technology / Apple Forces Patreon Billing Overhaul by 2026

Apple Forces Patreon Billing Overhaul by 2026

29 Jan

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Summary

Patreon creators must switch to subscription billing by November 1, 2026.
Apple's renewed mandate ends creator ability to bypass App Store fees.
This is Apple's third policy reversal impacting creators in 18 months.

Apple Forces Patreon Billing Overhaul by 2026

Patreon creators must transition to subscription billing by November 1, 2026, due to a renewed mandate from Apple. This decision, which Patreon "strongly disagrees" with, eliminates the prior arrangement that allowed creators to manage billing outside the App Store, thus avoiding Apple's fees for some content.

The company expressed frustration, calling it the third policy reversal from Apple in the past 18 months. Previously, a deadline of November 2025 was set, but Apple reportedly rescinded it, only to re-impose the requirement now. Patreon emphasized the necessity of complying to maintain app availability on iOS, where millions of fans access their services.

While this presents a challenge, only about 4 percent of Patreon creators utilize the legacy billing models. Fans on iOS can still avoid Apple's fees by accessing Patreon through their device's web browser. The article also touches upon other recent controversies involving Apple's App Store policies and app removals.