After adding its own billing option on iOS, Apple asks Patreon to move it to an external browser

Creator platform Patreon has to modify its app to comply with Apple’s guidelines after a recent update allowed U.S. users to make purchases via the web. The company says that its own web-based checkout option is now the default for U.S. fans, but it has to update its app so that this checkout option opens in an external browser instead, per Apple’s instruction. This creates more steps for fans who want to pay using Patreon directly, but it still allows the company to forgo having to pay Apple a 30% commission on in-app purchases. Patreon first updated its app shortly after a court ruling in the Apple-Epic legal battle that forced Apple to support external payments in apps published on its U.S. App Store without charging commissions. Last week, the Patreon iOS app (version 125.5.0) added an option that let users pay via the web using a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, Venmo, PayPal, and even Apple Pay. These options appeared within an in-app browser, providing a m ... Read full article.