Creator platform Patreon has rolled out an updated version of its app that now allows users to make purchases via the web, in the wake of the Apple-Epic court ruling that forced Apple to allow app developers to include links to alternative forms of payment without being subject to Apple’s commission.
Previously, on version 125.4.1 of Patreon’s iOS app, users who wanted to subscribe to a creator’s membership plan would have to do so using Apple’s in-app purchases. See below:
In the updated version released on Monday (version 125.5.0), users now have the option of making a purchase via the web, where they can choose to pay with other payment methods, including credit cards, Venmo, and PayPal, as well as with Apple Pay.
The option to use Apple’s own in-app purchases method, meanwhile, is shown only in very small text below the larger, bold “Join” button. This change will likely direct more customers to pay via Patreon’s website instead of through Apple’s in-app purchases.
Reached for comment, Patreon confirmed the app update was approved and is now rolling out to U.S. users.
Users who update their app should see the new checkout experience within 24 hours, the company told TechCrunch. However, the company earlier said it had submitted an update to Apple for approval that would allow for web payments and was waiting for the update to be approved.
These changes follow a significant win in a legal battle fought by Fortnite maker Epic Games that impacts how app developers can process payments on iOS.
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On April 30, a U.S. court ruled that Apple is no longer allowed to prevent app developers from linking to alternative payment mechanisms from inside their apps while still collecting a commission. As a result, Apple was required to update its App Store developer guidelines for U.S. developers and accept newly revamped apps, like Spotify and the Amazon Kindle app, which now link to external websites where consumers can choose to pay the app publishers directly.
Patreon was also quick to celebrate the win at the time, noting creators would now be able to keep more of their money if they didn’t have to pay Apple its commission on purchases.
In another recent update shared with its community, Patreon said its subscription billing transition plan is being put on hold. Last August, Patreon said Apple had given it a deadline to switch all creators to Apple’s iOS in-app purchase system by November 2025 or risk removal from the App Store. Now, the company believes this change will no longer be necessary.
“This is still a developing situation, but we are moving forward under the assumption that the November 2025 deadline for all Patreon creators to switch to subscription billing is no longer necessary,” the company said in an update to a support document and in a Discord post shared with its creators. “While additional information may come that alters Apple’s requirements for Patreon’s iOS app, we are optimistic that this ruling will give us additional flexibility in how we support creators on legacy billing models. However, for now, creators still need to be on subscription billing to be able to accept payments through the Patreon iOS app,” the post states.
In the meantime, Patreon is still offering to help any creators who want to move to subscription billing.
Additional reporting: Amanda Silberling
