Patreon pushes back as Apple reinstates in-app purchase deadline for creator subscriptions

Apple has reinstated its requirement that Patreon migrate all remaining creator subscriptions on iOS to the App Store’s in-app purchase (IAP) system, setting a new compliance deadline of November 2026. Patreon says it will follow the mandate but is again criticizing Apple’s shifting policies, arguing that repeated reversals have created uncertainty for creators.

The issue dates back to 2024, when Apple informed Patreon that all creator subscriptions offered through its iOS app would need to use Apple’s in-app billing system or face removal from the App Store. At the time, Apple set a phased transition schedule that would culminate in full compliance by November 2025, affecting creators who were still using Patreon’s legacy billing models.

Since then, App Store rules have evolved. Following court decisions and regulatory pressure, Apple loosened certain restrictions, including allowing apps to link to external web payment options. Patreon updated its app accordingly and told creators last year that the earlier November 2025 deadline was no longer in effect, effectively pausing the forced migration.

That pause has now ended. Apple has confirmed that Patreon must complete the original transition and move all remaining creators—around 4% of its total—onto Apple’s subscription billing system by November 1, 2026. Patreon says it will comply but maintains that the process has been marked by inconsistent enforcement and unclear timelines.

In statements to creators, Patreon said that repeated changes to Apple’s stance have made it harder for creators to plan and operate their businesses. The company noted that this latest deadline represents the third significant policy shift related to billing rules in roughly 18 months. Patreon also said it had proposed alternative tools and phased approaches that would allow creators to transition at their own pace, but those proposals were rejected.

Under Apple’s rules, creators who sell subscriptions through the iOS app must use Apple’s IAP system and pay the associated commission. In earlier transition plans, creators were given options to raise prices to offset fees or delay the switch, but with limitations on offering subscriptions in the app. The renewed mandate removes further ambiguity by setting a firm end date for legacy billing on iOS.

Patreon says it is building and expanding tools to help creators manage the change, including subscription repricing features, benefit eligibility tracking, and options for discounts and gifting. The platform also plans to introduce annual-only membership options ahead of the 2026 deadline.

While the dispute affects a relatively small portion of Patreon’s creator base, it highlights ongoing tensions between platform operators and Apple over control of payments, fees, and business models inside the App Store. For creators still using legacy billing, the next ten months will determine how—and at what cost—their subscription businesses continue on iOS.