A game emulator known as Delta is seizing the opportunity presented by a recent court decision related to Apple’s App Store. By leveraging this ruling, Delta now links its users directly to its Patreon membership page from within its mobile app, bypassing the cut that Apple usually takes from subscriptions.
This development comes on the heels of a court ruling that mandated Apple fully open its U.S. App Store to external purchases. This followed a lengthy legal battle with Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite. Although Apple largely succeeded in the antitrust case, a judge found Apple had not complied with court orders concerning in-app purchases.
Previously, Apple carefully controlled which apps could link to external websites and often discouraged users from making purchases outside its ecosystem. The company also imposed a 27% commission on those web sales, a slight reduction from the standard 30%.
However, after a ruling by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, Apple changed its U.S. App Store rules. Businesses like Spotify, Amazon Kindle, and Patreon have now adjusted their iOS apps to include links directing users to their websites for payments, thus avoiding Apple’s charges.
This change is beneficial for major corporations, allowing them to retain a larger share of their revenue. However, it also paves the way for innovative business models in mobile app monetization, as demonstrated by Delta’s latest update.
This modification can potentially rejuvenate the App Store, particularly at a time when independent app development faces challenges and each new iOS update tends to replicate more third-party apps. Smaller developers, who often struggle with a 30% commission fee, now have a better chance to hold onto more of their earnings through expanded support for web payments.
Delta’s updated app offers users the option to “Join our Patreon” via the Settings screen. This feature enables them to subscribe to Delta’s $3 per month membership, granting access to exclusive features and perks. The web page opens within the app, allowing users to connect their Patreon accounts and select a membership plan, whether monthly or annually.
“We can now freely mention our Patreon without giving Apple 27% of donations,” stated Delta creator Riley Testut on social media, happily bidding farewell to previous warning screens that deterred users from external purchases.
Delta maintains an option for Apple’s in-app purchases, hidden under an “Alternative Payment Methods” menu in the Settings screen—a strategy Apple itself has long employed to its advantage.
Apple’s approval of Delta’s app could signal the rise of more apps embracing Patreon support in the near future.
