Patreon will update its iPhone app to sidestep Apple’s payment system
- Patreon is updating its iPhone app to allow creators to accept payments outside of Apple’s payment system, following a recent court ruling that blocks Apple from collecting fees on payments made outside of apps.
- The update aims to enable creators to keep more of their earnings, as Apple currently takes a 30% fee on all new memberships purchased in the app.
- Patreon was forced to switch to Apple’s in-app purchase system last year, which applied the same 30% fee, or risk being removed from the App Store.
- Other companies, including Spotify and Proton, are also planning updates in response to the ruling, with Spotify aiming to enhance its consumer experience and Proton promising to lower prices by up to 30%.
- The updates will allow creators to maintain more control over their business and fan engagement, following a major court victory that gives them more flexibility in how they handle payments outside of Apple’s system.
Patreon is planning to submit an update to its iOS app that will let creators accept payments outside of Apple’s payment system, spokesperson Adiya Taylor tells The Verge. The planned update follows yesterday’s major Epic Games v. Apple ruling that blocks Apple from collecting fees on payments made outside of apps.
“This is a huge moment for creators and their businesses,” Taylor says. “The iOS app is the number one platform for fan engagement on Patreon, and we believe this ruling allows creators to get paid without giving Apple 30 percent. As a first step, we will submit an app update for review by Apple to enable payments outside of IAP so creators keep more from iOS based fan payments.”
Last year, Patreon said it was forced to switch to Apple’s in-app purchase system, which applied a 30 percent fee to all new memberships purchased in the app, or else risk “being removed from the App Store.”
“When we first announced rolling out Apple’s IAP requirements last year, we shared that we used three principles to guide our decision in how we wanted to move forward: transparency, control, and stability,” Taylor says. “Keeping with those principles, we’re exploring further action we can take, and we’ll continue to keep creators and fans posted on any changes to our experience.”
Taylor wasn’t able to share a timeline for when the update might be rolled out.
Spotify told The Verge last night the company is also planning an update in response to the ruling. “Spotify will move quickly to submit an app update to Apple, enhancing the experience for our consumers across the United States,” spokesperson Jeanne Moran said. Proton is also planning changes, with CEO Andy Yen saying that it will “lower prices for users by up to 30 percent.”