Apple is strictly enforcing its commission on in-app purchases: From November, the crowdfunding platform Patreon must integrate Apple’s in-app purchase interface into iOS apps, as the provider announced on Monday. If you do not follow the instructions, you risk being kicked out of the App Store and thus losing access to your iPhone. The integration of Apple’s in-app purchase interface also means that Apple retains up to 30 percent of commission for all new projects financed by users or content creators through iPhone apps.
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It will often be more expensive for iPhone users
Patreon explains that anyone who finances their projects through the crowdfunding platform now has two options: the content provider can accept significantly less revenue in the future, since in addition to Patreon’s own commission of 5 percent, Apple’s commission of up to 30 percent will also take a cut. Or he raises prices for his own users to eventually compensate for the Apple commission. Ultimately, from November onwards, subscribing to Patreon projects and making purchases in Patreon stores on the iPhone will probably become more expensive than the web or Android app.
Patreon has calculated that a subscription that was previously offered for $10 per month through Patreon will cost $14.50 in the iOS app in the future so that content providers do not have to accept a loss. The platform offers accordinglyTo automatically add surcharges to prices in the iOS app.
Waymo: Driverless robo-taxis being tested on highwaysNo more direct payments – not even with Apple Pay
So far, payment for content in Patreon can be made directly, for example by credit card or, alternatively, Apple Pay – the latter is almost as convenient for the end customer as Apple’s in-app purchase interface (IAP). Existing subscriptions will continue to be processed using the payment method chosen when subscribing. So nothing should change in this regard.
In addition, according to Patreon, the upcoming forced switch to IAP also means less flexibility as only subscription cycles specified by Apple will be supported in the future – Patreon will also have to readjust accordingly.
Apple has always charged a commission of up to 30 percent on in-app purchases. As much digital content and services are now sold through apps and Apple is enforcing its requirements more and more strictly, resistance is also growing. In the European Union, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) now prevents Apple from making its in-app purchase interface mandatory. Accordingly, the company has also started charging commissions on purchases on the web and other platforms.
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