Patreon creators have until November 1, 2026, to switch to Apple’s in-app purchase system of charging members. Apple reinstated this rule, clearing up a longstanding gray area. This ruling is the latest change in an 18-month policy fight. Patreon “strongly disagrees” with the decision, but it must if it wants millions to use its iOS app.
This change has a direct effect on how iOS users pay Patreon creators who use old billing methods. This change only affects a few creators, but it shows that the rules for platforms and the ways creators make money are still not the same.
The Policy changes for Patreon Creators
It hasn’t always been clear how Patreon charges and how the App Store works. A gray area allowed Patreon creators to charge directly, avoiding Apple’s in-app purchase fees. Patreon’s representative said this was possible because Apple’s system didn’t support some of their long-standing billing cycles and models.
There’s no doubt. Apple reiterates that iOS app users must use its in-app purchase system to buy digital content. This deadline is November 1, 2026. Patreon said compliance is non-negotiable because Apple blocked an important app update late last year and said the App Store would only be available if it was made.
Apple has changed its Patreon policy three times in 18 months. This deadline gave creators “whiplash,” according to the company. It was due in 2025 but was delayed in May 2025. It was delayed until 2026. This change makes Patreon creators’ planning difficult.
Navigating the Impact and Options for Patreon Creators
This policy affects a specific creator community immediately. According to a report from TechCrunch, only about 4 percent of Patreon creators currently use the legacy billing models affected by this mandate. The vast majority of creators already use subscription billing compliant with Apple’s systems.
Those affected must move their supporters to the official subscription billing model before the November deadline. Patreon gave creators a lot of useful information in its announcement post.
The main problem is still that you have to use the App Store’s payment system, which charges a commission fee, to buy digital goods and services. This rule has been a problem for developers for a long time. Creators on Patreon who use the iOS app to talk to their supporters will have to deal with this change to run their businesses on Apple’s platform.
