Patreon Updates and Billing

Apple has been putting pressure on Patreon to change its billing cycle system — namely, how it handles subscriptions. You can read more about it here on Patreon's blog.

Apple is requiring that these subscriptions to be from date charged, for 1 month. This means my normal, "charge at 1st of month" and "1 calendar month access" can no longer apply. My Art rewards schedule is based on a calendar month schedule, and I see no way to change it at this time. So, while Rewards are scheduled for the calendar month, you may miss out on certain rewards if you joined mid-month as your subscription goes into 30-day cycles and renews on the same date each month. (If you first join mid-month, you will get the end-of-month rewards from month 1, and the beginning-of-month rewards from month 2). If you stay subscribed currently, and have been on renewals on the 1st of the month, that will stay the same and it won't be a problem. But it if end your subscription, you may not get all of that month's rewards. You may be able to avoid this by ending your subscription, and restarting in the following month on the 1st (or even up to the 5th).

I have already recently changed to the new 30-day subscription plan. If you were already a member before September (or end of August) you will continue to see renewals on the 1st of the month. If you joined after the transition, you will renew on the same date (4th, 6th, etc) of the following month, and not on the 1st.

ALSO, subscribing from within iOS will cost you 30% more than subscribing directly on Patreon (through a browser) due to their implementation of their standard App Store fee of 30% on all transactions, including subscriptions. This will go into effect November 2024.

Patreon had given me the opportunity to pay for this added fee, or add it to the subscription cost. I cannot bear the cost of this model, and will have to pass on the added 30% to subscribers using the iOS app. Again, I believe you can use the browser to secure a subscription to avoid this. (I think.)

I hope this makes sense.