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Apple will allow third-party browsers in the European Union to create web apps for the iPhone Home Screen using their own custom engines when iOS 18.2 launches later this year.

Chrome-Feature-22.jpg

This expands on changes introduced in iOS 17.4, which first allowed third-party browsers in the EU to use non-WebKit engines for both standalone browsers and in-app browsing. Previously, Apple required all iOS browsers to use Safari's WebKit engine, including popular options like Chrome and Firefox.

According to new documentation on Apple's developer website spotted by 9to5Mac, the upcoming API will be exclusive to the EU and enable web apps to use the same custom engine as their parent browser.

The change follows Apple's reversal of an earlier decision to remove web app support entirely from EU devices – a move that prompted scrutiny from the European Commission. However, despite Apple announcing support for alternative browser engines like Chrome's Blink and Firefox's Gecko in January, these have yet to appear on iPhones.

iOS 18.2 will bring additional EU-specific changes, including the ability to completely remove core apps like the App Store, Safari, Messages, Camera, and Photos. Outside the EU, the update will introduce new Apple Intelligence features such as ChatGPT integration with Siri, Image Playground, custom Genmoji, Visual Intelligence, enhanced Writing Tools, and expanded language support. For all the details, don't miss our iOS 18.2 beta 1 roundup.

Article Link: iOS 18.2 to Allow Third-Party Browser Web Apps With Custom Engines in EU
 
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System603

macrumors member
Dec 15, 2021
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Finally, my main reason isn't the ability to choose a different browser in itself. I'm fine with Safari, but on rare occasions, it struggles to display or interact with some pages correctly. Having an actual backup will be very useful.

That said, the freedom of choice is and should be a valuable aspect for users. There are many dedicated Firefox users, as well as fans of the Blink/V8 engine's performance, etc. Plus, being able to use proper extensions in truly different browsers can further enhance (already great) privacy options, block intrusive ads, and more.
 
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FSMBP

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Jan 22, 2009
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At first I really believed Apple in their reason for not allowing custom engines because of security risks (it makes sense)...but found it wasn't the full truth. Turns out, other engines can create full experiences and you can make webapps feel like native apps; so devs could bypass the App Store (which means Apple loses control/revenue).
 

needsomecoffee

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May 6, 2008
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At first I really believed Apple in their reason for not allowing custom engines because of security risks (it makes sense)...but found it wasn't the full truth. Turns out, other engines can create full experiences and you can make webapps feel like native apps; so devs could bypass the App Store (which means Apple loses control/revenue).
Safari on iOS and iPad have supported Progessive Web Apps (PWAs) quite well for a good bit of time. Not sure about the current version though. Do not think Apple removed this. Safari on Mac, though, did not support PWAs, then Apple made a big deal about supporting "apps" in Sonoma (I believe). However Apple still does not support PWA's on Mac Safari as the process of adding a web page as an app only creates an optimized link to the web page, and runs it in a stand-alone window. So, unlike the app on iOS, the "app" cannot run offline. Not sure about local storage permanence either. If you want to test a PWA try the link from my FOSS effort:

 
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FSMBP

macrumors 68030
Jan 22, 2009
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Safari on iOS and iPad have supported Progessive Web Apps (PWAs) quite well for a good bit of time. Not sure about the current version though. Do not think Apple removed this. Safari on Mac, though, did not support PWAs, then Apple made a big deal about supporting "apps" in Sonoma (I believe). However Apple still does not support PWA's on Mac Safari as the process of adding a web page as an app only creates an optimized link to the web page, and runs it in a stand-alone window. So, unlike the app on iOS, the "app" cannot run offline. Not sure about local storage permanence either. If you want to test a PWA try the link from my FOSS effort:


I believe other standards (like in Chrome) allow apps to be more fluid and richer. My only info on this was in an article from earlier this year and they mentioned PWAs are better than they were but could be a lot better. Then, I researched in our forums further - it could be dated.

I will check that PWA out! Thanks
 
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gaximus

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Oct 11, 2011
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At first I really believed Apple in their reason for not allowing custom engines because of security risks (it makes sense)...but found it wasn't the full truth. Turns out, other engines can create full experiences and you can make webapps feel like native apps; so devs could bypass the App Store (which means Apple loses control/revenue).
While this is true, and helpful for the bottom line at Apple, it doesn't change the security risk part. Like you said, but the full truth. I'm sure most browsers will be secure, but it'll be another thing to worry about when someone puts out a "Chrome" clone, in the EU market place.
 

Ctrlos

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Sep 19, 2022
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Ah so I can look forward to not using those because they have a worse security and privacy stance than Safari does...
Security? Yes.

Privacy? We all know Apple profiles us as much as Google, right? Rather than using it to sell easily-blocked ad-space though they use it to suggest more apps for you to buy and to sell you another iPhone. Apple also use your location to put out geo-targeted ads. Google don't get a free pass here but don't think Apple is some saintly company that just deletes all its incoming terabytes of user data out of the goodness of its heart.
 

krspkbl

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Jul 20, 2012
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The EU is literally improving iOS to a great extent. Hopefully Apple will embrace these changes globally.
I'm not holding my breath. I think they'll need to be forced.

What I'm wondering is how much this is complicating development of iOS to have so much stuff available in one region and not in others.

They should just implement all the changes globally but I know Apple will hold onto all control for as long as they can. They don't have the best interest of users in mind. Remember they are being forced to do this.

More countries need to put pressure on them. I don't think the USA will but countries like the UK, Japan, India, and South American countries should go after Apple.
 

cjsuk

macrumors 6502a
Apr 30, 2024
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Security? Yes.

Privacy? We all know Apple profiles us as much as Google, right? Rather than using it to sell easily-blocked ad-space though they use it to suggest more apps for you to buy and to sell you another iPhone. Apple also use your location to put out geo-targeted ads. Google don't get a free pass here but don't think Apple is some saintly company that just deletes all its incoming terabytes of user data out of the goodness of its heart.

Of course. But unlike Google they are completely transparent about what they collect and who it is provided to.
 

cjsuk

macrumors 6502a
Apr 30, 2024
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The EU is literally improving iOS to a great extent. Hopefully Apple will embrace these changes globally.

Well the thing is they're not really doing the right things IMHO. They are taking the absolutist position of choice and completely ignoring transparency and portability. They already beat Microsoft hard with that stick. I see nothing of the same level towards Apple.

For example, how do I get my data out of Apple Notes or Reminders and into another service? Where are my APIs, programming interfaces and file format documentation for what is on my computer? Other than the POSIX interface, everything is entirely undocumented.

There are some abstractions which are useful however for example the SQLite database behind Photos but the schema is undocumented there.
 

dabi

macrumors member
Feb 20, 2021
90
232
EU
So does anyone know of a single non-Webkit browser on iOS that's available? I couldnt find one yet.
 
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