Google Working on Browser for iOS That Would Break Apple's App Store Rules

[MacRumors]

Google's Chromium developers are working on an experimental web browser for iOS that would break Apple's browser engine restrictions, The Register reports.

The experimental browser, which is being actively pursued by developers, uses Google's Blink engine. Yet if Google attempted to release it on the App Store, it would not pass Apple's App Review process.

Apple's App Store rules dictate that browser apps on iOS and iPadOS must use its own WebKit browser engine. This means that while browsers like Chrome and Microsoft Edge are built with Chromium on macOS and Windows, their iOS counterparts are forced to use Apple's WebKit, making them behave similarly to Safari.

Based on the visible code commits, the app purportedly looks like the start of an alternate browser build and is still missing some key features at this early stage. Google claims that the app is merely "an experimental prototype [...] with the goal to understand certain aspects of performance on iOS," and "it will not be available to users and we'll continue to abide by Apple's policies."

Even so, Google's experimental iOS browser project could be a sign that the company is anticipating changes to Apple's platform rules that would enable it to release a truly home-grown browser. Apple's browser engine restriction is the subject of growing antitrust scrutiny, most recently by the Biden administration, which has recommended the passing of new legislation to ban "gatekeeper" companies like Apple from banning alternative browser engines on its platform.

• Should Apple Continue to Ban Rival Browser Engines on iOS?

Similar recommendations have been made by antitrust authorities in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan. The European Union's Digital Markets Act is expected to compel Apple to allow third-party app stores and lift its browser engine restrictions as soon as next year. At minimum, the active project means Google would have a considerable head-start on developing a Blink-based browser for iOS if one is able to be distributed in the future.

Article Link: Google Working on Browser for iOS That Would Break Apple's App Store Rules

 

[IMPOSSIBLEMAN]

Clearly a sign of the coming changes probably with iOS 17.

My opinion is that this requirement by Apple was not worth it from the start, competition benefits us customers.

 

[one more]

No drama, Google are just probably preparing ahead for Apple’s restrictions being lifted:

Biden Administration Report Recommends Sweeping Changes to Apple's Ecosystem

A report commissioned by the Biden administration this week recommended new legislation to make major changes to Apple's platform restrictions...

www.macrumors.com

Essentially, if these changes are implemented, it would make iOS more macOS like, giving users more choice & freedom. Security could be an issue, but hey, we can choose what works best for us and Apple could still put warning pop-ups.

 

[revanmj]

Clearly a sign of the coming changes probably with iOS 17.

My opinion is that this requirement by Apple was not worth it from the start, competition benefits us customers.

Especially looking at how Apple was veeery slow at implementing in mobile Safari new web standards that have potential to hurt App Store.

 

[giggles]

Didn’t Gurman say Apple is internally preparing to allow this?

 

[steve62388]

Clearly a sign of the coming changes probably with iOS 17.

My opinion is that this requirement by Apple was not worth it from the start, competition benefits us customers.

Ironically your wish for more competition will likely result in a lot less. Chromium based browsers will utterly dominate. And having one company able to dictate web standards is not a good idea.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

These type of changes need to happen.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Ironically your wish for more competition will likely result in a lot less. Chromium based browsers will utterly dominate. And having one company able to dictate web standards is not a good idea.

That falls on developers. If a product is dominating maybe there’s a reason. Same could be said about iPhones or literally anything else, don’t victim blame the consumer.

 

[Bustycat]

Finally we could also get rid of Safari’s weird system of extensions.

 

[0924487]

Ironically your wish for more competition will likely result in a lot less. Chromium based browsers will utterly dominate. And having one company able to dictate web standards is not a good idea.

Let the best one win.

 

[Marbles1]

Ironically your wish for more competition will likely result in a lot less. Chromium based browsers will utterly dominate. And having one company able to dictate web standards is not a good idea.

Ensuring the market doesn’t become a monopoly is like whack-a-mole. If Google’s tech dominates they’ll be in the targets of global competition authorities next.

 

[RedTheReader]

Good. We might finally see an option that's not Safari. I doubt it, but hey, anything's possible.

 

[bobbie424242]

Can wait for real Firefox on iOS.
Competition is good.
iOS being limited to Safari's web engine is lame.

 

[steve62388]

Ensuring the market doesn’t become a monopoly is like whack-a-mole. If Google’s tech dominates they’ll be in the targets of global competition authorities next.

Yes. History repeats itself.

 

[newdeal]

there is only one thing I care about on a mobile browser. That I can access bookmarks with one button press. Safari does that and I have found no android browser that does for some reason

 

[2skeptical]

I’m waiting for someone to mention flash.

 

[NEPOBABY]

TLDR

Will use 90% CPU, hog all the ram and be full of “web3” scams that steal money from marks and rubes.

 

[Skyscraperfan]

You should never use a browser that is created by Google, because Google's main business is collecting user data and showing users ads. They will never make it easy for users to get the privacy you want. There is a big difference between Chrome and third party Chromium browsers.

Isn't getting rid of Google the main reason for buying an overpriced iPhone?

 

[senttoschool]

full of “web3” scams that steal money from marks and rubes.

That's Brave.

 

[NEPOBABY]

Can wait for real Firefox on iOS.
Competition is good.
iOS being limited to Safari's web engine is lame.

You will then have to pray these third party browsers have the same security and energy efficiency on iOS devices. They don’t even compare well on desktop.

 

[NEPOBABY]

That's Brave.

That too. I installed Brave once on a PC and Windows told me it was an STD.

 

[noone]

Everyone here is all "Yeah! It's about time! We need other options besides Safari/Webkit."

Does anyone actually care? Never once have I thought to myself: "Gee, I wish I could use a Chromium browser on here." Safari works just fine for everything I've ever needed it to and I suspect that's true for 99.9% of others as well.

 

[Burger Thing]

Will be as shi!!y as all the other software Google releases. Not even concerned about privacy issues. Hard pass.

 

[So@So@So]

Hopefully 3rd party browsers will also be able to participate in password autofill (today it works because all browsers use the Safari engine)!

 

[Vespi]

Would love real Chrome on my iphone