DuckDuckGo Gets iOS 14 Update, Can Be Set as Default Browser App

[MacRumors]

Apple in iOS and iPadOS 14 is allowing third-party apps to be set as alternatives to the default mail and browser apps on iPhone and iPad, and developers with of browser and mail apps are implementing support now that the updates are available.

Privacy-focused browser DuckDuckGo is now able to be set as the default browser app on the iPhone and the iPad, serving as an alternative to Safari. With DuckDuckGo set as the default, links that you tap on an iPhone or iPad will open in DuckDuckGo instead of Safari.

In a blog post, DuckDuckGo says that setting the DuckDuckGo browser of default will provide protection from trackers by blocking third-party tracking requests outright as well as offering greater privacy for web searches and browsing.

DuckDuckGo can be set as the default browser app by installing DuckDuckGo from the App Store, opening up the Settings app, selecting DuckDuckGo in the apps list, and then tapping on Default Browser App.

Chrome and Microsoft Edge have also implemented support for iOS 14 and can be set as default browser apps as well.

There's also a new DuckDuckGo search widget that can be installed on the Home Screen of the iPhone.

Article Link: DuckDuckGo Gets iOS 14 Update, Can Be Set as Default Browser App

 

[itsmilo]

Are content blockers working with other browsers if they r set as default?

 

[nt5672]

This is a nice addition.

 

[agsystems]

Are content blockers working with other browsers if they r set as default?

I would think yes - since they are using the same Webkit engine but I bet Chrome won't allow it since they need their Google sense Ads to run - give it a shot - I won't be upgrading my devices for now.

 

[BGPL]

Fancy. But totally tied to favorites bar, bookmarks, etc through iCloud.

 

[DinkThifferent]

It's nice that they offer this for those who love DuckDuckGo, but i'm very happy with Safari (with adblocker of course). I love handoff and iCloud Tabs and it's a fast (snappy) and reliable browser. I am using DDG more as a search engine now.

 

[iMerik]

Fancy. But totally tied to favorites bar, bookmarks, etc through iCloud.

...but maybe it doesn't hurt for tapped links to open in the DuckDuckGo browser and then you purposefully open Safari when you know you are going to use your bookmarks.

 

[bigboy29]

Did this 2 days ago, and today - after another DDG update, it reset to Safari again. I wonder if this is going to be a Thing, where an update for the default (3rd party browser) resets the default browser?

 

[Abstract]

I mainly use Safari to post on forums, or anything that has a saved login and pw.

Otherwise, DDG is my go-to browser and search engine for all things for which I want to blast away my search history, so this is great. 👀

 

[Taz Mangus]

I just set DuckDuckGo as the search engine in Safari. Also, do the same in macOS Safari.

 

[Cleartz]

I'm going to download DDG and give it a shot. I use DDG with Firefox already.

 

[C DM]

I would think yes - since they are using the same Webkit engine but I bet Chrome won't allow it since they need their Google sense Ads to run - give it a shot - I won't be upgrading my devices for now.

Yeah, I'm not exactly sure if content/ad blockers work the same way with third party browsers as they do for Safari.

 

[rrm74001]

Does Safari moan constantly if it is not the default browser?

 

[Moyapilot]

I notice Safari on IpadOS14 is really fast. I never tried the betas.

Does Apple still keep the turbo javascript engine or whatever its called all to themselves still? Or do other browsers get access to this too. This is a big factor as it seems Safari has turned up the performance up another notch (on IOS at-least)

 

[doboy]

Nice! Love my Duckduck, especially setting fire to incinerate history and cookies.

 

[abaxworld]

If DuckDuck prevents tracking and implement security measures it's ok, if Apple makes the same it's the end of the world ( Zuckerberg at least say so ).

 

[japanime]

"Hey, Alexa. How do I download DuckDuckGo?" 🤣

 

[frownface]

Excellent, looking forward to this feature of iOS14

 

[now i see it]

If anyone cared to to take a peak at the number of tracking cookies forced without your consent into the browser cache, they'd be appalled at the Wild Wild West that resides in there. It's a free for all of data tracking.

Pro Tip: Delete your cookies and browsing history after leaving a website or pay the consequences. Actually to get rid of trackers held in RAM, the browser has to be quit too.
The Data Trackers pretty much ruined the Internet

 

[Taz Mangus]

If DuckDuck prevents tracking and implement security measures it's ok, if Apple makes the same it's the end of the world ( Zuckerberg at least say so ).

Throw in ad blocking as well.

 

[stevet]

Every once in a while I try duck duck go and every time I’m reminded why I don’t stay with it. Just not as good

 

[bousozoku]

Every once in a while I try duck duck go and every time I’m reminded why I don’t stay with it. Just not as good

Sadly, DuckDuckGo isn't a daily use browser. It's small, light, and secure, unlike Safari. Firefox Focus is another such browser that you can use when you're feeling the need for better security.

However, until a full alternative is allowed, you can never be too sure.

 

[krizalidzero]

Fancy. But totally tied to favorites bar, bookmarks, etc through iCloud.

You don't need to quit those.
The way I would use this is to have a default browser for apps to open for their things. One that I don't use much. Why? For privacy.

And use Safari as my browser when I browse actively by myself.

 

[827538]

I've used Google search for as long as I can remember but recently over the last month or so I've steadily moved to DuckDuckGo, it's amazing the amount Google filters out and censors. I'm actually having to go to DDG in order to find stuff these days.

 

[Mr.Brossard]

Good. I can set Brave to default, finally.