TechCrunch•Jan 28, 2026, 5:45 PM
Apple forces Patreon to shove creators into its in-app billing by November, because 'supporting artists' means taking a 30% bite

Apple forces Patreon to shove creators into its in-app billing by November, because 'supporting artists' means taking a 30% bite

Apple has informed Patreon that it must transition its creators to in-app purchases for subscriptions by November, as part of the company's new subscription billing mandate. Patreon has expressed dissatisfaction with the move, citing uncertainty for creators due to Apple's shifting rules. The decision is part of Apple's efforts to enforce its App Store guidelines, which require apps to use the company's in-app purchase system for digital goods and services. This move is significant for the tech industry, as it highlights the ongoing debate over app store fees and developer revenue. Patreon, a platform that allows artists and creators to earn money from fans, will need to comply with Apple's rules to avoid removal from the App Store. The November deadline gives Patreon a few months to implement the changes, which will likely impact its business model and revenue streams. The move is a notable development in the evolving landscape of digital payments and app store regulations.

Viral Score: 85%

More Roasted Feeds

No news articles yet. Click "Fetch Latest" to get started!