Apple has given Patreon creators more time to move to its in-app purchase billing system on iPhone and iPad. The new deadline is November 1, 2026, extending the transition period for creators still using Patreon’s older billing models.
The change matters because it affects how creators get paid and how much Apple takes from payments made within the Patreon app.
TechCrunch reported the updated deadline and confirmed that Apple now expects all Patreon creators still using legacy billing to complete the switch by that date.
Apple is forcing the switch
Apple treats Patreon subscriptions as digital goods, which means payments made inside the iOS app must use its in-app purchase system. That system charges a commission that starts at 30 percent and later drops to 15 percent for subscriptions that last more than a year.
In 2024, Apple told Patreon it needed to migrate creators to this system by November 2025 or risk removal from the App Store, saying Patreon’s previous approach avoided Apple’s commission in some cases.
Patreon began moving creators late in 2024, letting them choose whether to raise iOS prices to cover Apple’s fee or absorb the cost themselves. Last May, Patreon updated its app to include web payment links after Apple loosened some rules following a legal challenge. At that time Patreon told creators the original deadline no longer applied.
Now Apple has reinstated its billing requirement, giving Patreon until November 2026 to finish the transition. Patreon says it disagrees with this renewed mandate but will comply.
Apple’s fee applies only to purchases made through the in-app purchase flow. Fans in the U.S. can still complete payments via mobile web, which does not trigger Apple’s commission.
Patreon’s support documents say creators must switch to subscription billing to support in-app purchases. Migration unlocks tools like free trials, discounts, and tier repricing.
How many creators are affected
Only about 4 percent of Patreon creators still use legacy billing models. Most have already moved to subscription billing or other supported systems.
Before the November 2026 deadline, Patreon plans to add tools to help creators manage pricing and member benefits as they migrate.
