### Patreon’s Updated iOS App: A Transformative Shift for Creators and Supporters
Patreon, the well-known platform that allows creators to generate a stable income through memberships, has just launched a new version of its iOS app. This enhancement brings a major benefit for fans in the U.S., enabling them to avoid Apple’s in-app payment system when subscribing to new memberships. This change effectively evades the steep 30% cut that Apple usually takes from in-app transactions, constituting a significant evolution in how creators can monetize their offerings.
#### The Updated Checkout Process
With this new update, U.S. users of the Patreon app are able to choose a different checkout method for subscriptions that does not depend on Apple’s in-app purchase structure. This option is currently available exclusively to creators utilizing Patreon’s subscription billing approach. This model charges fans on the day they subscribe, instead of following a fixed monthly or per-creation payment schedule. Therefore, creators on traditional billing systems—those who bill at the month’s start or per creation—remain unable to process new memberships through the iOS app.
Patreon has highlighted that this update delivers “alternative checkout options for U.S.-based fans signing up for new memberships.” Nonetheless, it is crucial to understand that traditional billing systems are still limited from accepting new sign-ups via the app.
#### Prospective Changes
Patreon is actively pursuing the introduction of alternative payment options for one-time payments in future updates. Until these functionalities become available, creators operating on traditional billing systems will continue to experience constraints in onboarding new memberships through the iOS app. Furthermore, the company has paused its previously announced November 2025 deadline for moving all creators to subscription billing due to a recent court ruling.
This ruling compels Apple to allow developers to offer alternative payment methods without incurring a fee, opening up new possibilities for platforms like Patreon. The company is hopeful that this ruling will grant them more flexibility in assisting creators still on traditional billing models.
#### Moving to Subscription Billing
For creators interested in shifting to subscription billing, Patreon has provided support to ease this transition. Adopting subscription billing allows access to the latest tools for growth on the platform—such as gifting, Autopilot, and tier repricing—while ensuring compliance with the new payment options offered through the iOS app.
#### Commitment to Transparency and Adaptation
As the environment continues to change, Patreon has vowed to focus on transparency, control, and stability while adjusting to the new regulatory framework in the United States. The company plans to provide further updates as it enhances support for creators across all billing models.
Conversely, Apple has reacted to the court decision by appealing the ruling, signaling that the dispute over App Store regulations is far from finished. This ongoing legal conflict impacts not only Patreon but also a broad spectrum of developers who have long advocated for improved conditions in the App Store ecosystem.
#### In Summary
Patreon’s revised iOS app marks a notable advancement for both creators and supporters, fostering a more direct and financially efficient approach to engagement with content. As the platform navigates the intricacies of legal decisions and evolving payment frameworks, it remains committed to empowering creators and enriching user experiences. The forthcoming months will be pivotal as both Patreon and Apple adapt to the changed landscape, and creators will be keenly observing how these developments unfold.
