Apple set November 1, 2026, as the deadline for Patreon to transition all remaining creators to Apple’s in-app purchase system, marking the third policy shift in 18 months. The mandate affects approximately 4% of Patreon creators still using legacy billing models, per The Tech Buzz.

Apple initially required Patreon to migrate all creators to subscription billing via its in-app purchase system by November 2025, or face removal from the App Store. In August 2024, Patreon announced the company was “initiating a 16-month migration process to transition all creators to subscription billing by November 2025,” stating that “non-compliance risks removing the entire app from the App Store.”

The timeline changed in May 2025 after a federal judge ruled Apple violated a 2021 injunction by failing to allow developers to inform users about purchase options outside the App Store. The court also cited Apple’s 27% fee on off-app purchases as violating the order.

Following that ruling, Patreon took advantage of loosened App Store guidelines to let creators process web payments through links in the app. A Patreon spokesperson told Business Insider: “This is a huge moment for creators and their businesses. The iOS app is the No. 1 platform for fan engagement on Patreon, and we believe this ruling allows creators to get paid without giving Apple 30%.”

Patreon CEO Jack Conte acknowledged at the time that while “the dust has yet to settle,” given Apple’s appeal, “this is a good day for creative people.”

Patreon says an annual membership option will be available before the November deadline. The changes do not affect existing members or prices on the web and Android platforms.

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