I currently use Brave on my iPhone. It’s pretty good, since it has built-in ad and tracker blocking; but if there’s something better I’d like to know.
EDIT: I have just figured out a way to make the SnowHaze UX work for me. Here’s my homepage:
SnowHaze, for those who don’t know, is a privacy-focused FOSS browser for iOS, iPadOS, and (I believe) macOS, which includes features such as:
- Built-in ad and tracker blocking
- Custom content blocking
- No telemetry
- Custom search engines
- Custom homepages
- JavaScript blocking
- HTTPS forcing
- XSS and tracking URL warnings
- Passcode/biometric lock
- Cookie blocking
- Custom user agents
- Canvas blocking
- Idk, probably more
I cringe everytime someone proudly states they use Brave 🤮
Safari + Adguard
Same. With iOS, there isn’t much of a point in using third party browsers, as they all have to use the Safari WebKit engine anyways.
Safari also feels great to use, especially with the new-ish bottom navigation layout. It doesn’t feel bloated with features, which I feel pretty much any other major browser is nowadays (Edge with its heavy Bing and “shopping” integration, for Brave I’m not sure on iOS but on desktop it has crypto stuff and whatnot built in).
AdGuard works great for the most part. I also use Vinegar for YouTube videos.
Yeah as much as I wish I could use some mobile form of Gecko as I’m still hanging on to Firefox in the face of the Google juggernaut there literally is no point in alternate browsers on iOS so you may as well pick the most native-feeling. I’ve been using AdGuard but this is the first I’m hearing of Vinegar, is it reliable?
To add to this, iOS 17 has added some great “Advanced Tracking and Fingerprint Protection” that can be turned on for all browsing.
I use Firefox on all platforms
This is the way.
I’ve been using Firefox for a long while, but it’s been quite buggy lately so I switched to Brave for now. Until Arc Browser on iOS is like a real browser instead of just a companion app.
Safari. I like the way it integrates natively with Passwords and Hide My E-mail and stuff. I don’t really use it that much to care about extensions.
Safari as default for “private” browsing. Otherwise Chrome.
Safari with the following extensions:
- Adguard Pro
- Vinegar
- Noir
- StopTheMadness
Makes browsing native without most annoyances
iOS requires WebKit based browsers no matter what they’re named. May as well use safari and its extensions until they open up the backend.
Firefox, for the synchronization of tabs with my computer.
When I get tired of the ads, Orion.
Aren’t you able to use ublock with iOS firefox?
Unfortunately, no. On Firefox you can’t add content blockers, but rather the only option is using their built-in “strict” or “standard (default)” Enhanced Tracking Protection which relies on Disconnect’s filter list.
I use DuckDuckGo, mostly. I don’t need my phone remembering my entire internet history, so I love the instant clear button. I tried Firefox Focus for a while, but DuckDuckGo go lets me exclude specific websites from the data clearing (DDG calls them “Fireproof Sites”), so I can leave some things logged in.
Me too, I’ve gotten so attached to the little fire woosh animation I can’t go back now!
On iPhone (correct me if I’m wrong) every developer is forced to use Safari WebKit.
They are, but that doesn’t mean all iOS browsers are equal. Some of them have built-in content blockers, or security features, or Tor, or even just a nicer UI.
Also, due to EU legislation, Apple will soon have to allow alternative engines on the App Store, so Mozilla and Google are working on versions of their iOS browsers with Gecko and Blink, respectively.
