Understanding Patreon’s mobile app age rating

In November 2024, Patreon updated the age rating of its iOS app from 12+ to 17+ and its Android app from Teen to Mature (or the equivalent age rating in your region). Here’s what you need to know about why Patreon made this change, what it means, and answers to frequently asked questions.

We announced in August 2024 that Apple is requiring Patreon to use its in-app purchasing system for all transactions in the iOS app. With this update, Patreon needs to move to a 17+ age rating for the iOS app to help enable creators to be discoverable and able to earn within the app. This change helps creators to continue to earn on Patreon, regardless of their classification. We made this change for our Android app as well to ensure a consistent experience across apps.

What’s Not Changing

Patreon is not changing the types of work that are allowed. Rather, this change better reflects the type of work that we already allow. Similarly, all creators will still be required to follow Patreon’s Community Guidelines, which delineate what is and what is not allowed on Patreon.

What This Update Means

With this update, we’re making Patreon safer. With the mobile age rating updates, we’re aligning our mobile apps with device-level parental control settings. We’re also introducing a new member account setting that allows fans who are 18 and older to customize the visibility of Adult/18+ creators. You can learn more about that setting here.

We’re also expanding product access to more creators, including Adult/18+ classified creators. To learn more about your product access, go here.

FAQ

• You must be 18 years or older to become a member of a creator that is classified as Adult/18+ or to discover Adult/18+ creators in search and explore.

• By default, members with no active Adult/18+ memberships will not see Adult/18+ creators in the app. You can change these settings in your member Settings. If you have an active Adult/18+ membership, you will need to cancel the membership to turn off the Adult/18+ visibility toggle.

• 1. Using a web browser, go to your Settings
  2. Scroll down to Adult creators
     
  3. Toggle on the option to See 18+ creators
  4. You’ll see a pop-up that asks you to confirm that you are 18 years or older
     
  5. Once you confirm that you’re 18 years or older, you’ll be able to see Adult/18+ creators on Patreon. These creators will be shown with an 18+ badge
     

  You may also update your settings when searching for creators:

  1. At the top of search results, you’ll see 18+ creators are hidden. Show 18+ creators
  2. Tap Show 18+ creators
  3. After clicking, you’ll see a pop-up that asks you to confirm that you are over 18 years old
     
  4. Once you confirm that you’re over 18 years old, you’ll be able to see Adult/18+ creators on Patreon. These creators will be shown with a specific 18+ badge