There are many different ones in the App Store Web browser for iOS on iPhone and iPadOS on iPad. However, these usually only differ in terms of appearance and a few individual functions. The display of web content and the options for interacting with it is based on Apple's WebKit for all offers - from Chrome to Firefox to DuckDuckGo. Other engines are not allowed according to the current app store guidelines. This does not prevent Google and Mozilla, i.e. the makers of Chrome and Firefox, from experimenting with their own engines. Although they emphasize that they continue to comply with the Apple rules. However, it is not concealed that preparations are being made for the opening of the market.
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WebKit alternatives: Chrome experiments with Blink, Firefox with Gecko
Whether in the official iOS App Store with more liberal regulations or through market liberalization and so-called sideloading: Google and Mozilla are preparing for the future. A corresponding one can be found on the website of The Register, among others Post , which deals with the individual efforts. Google is said to be experimenting with its own web render engine called "Blink" on iOS (Blink emerged from WebKit development around ten years ago and provides the basis for Chromium, which has been used since 2008). And Mozilla is said to use "GeckoView," a wrapper interface for the Gecko engine for the Firefox browser's web rendering. Engines like Blink, Gecko and WebKit are needed to display web content.
When will custom browser technologies be available on the iPhone?
Some media are speculating that Google, Mozilla and possibly other companies that offer iOS web browsers are preparing for the WebKit restriction to be lifted in the near future. This should be related to the EU's Digital Markets Act. Apple could already do that iOS 17 offer the possibility of individually selecting web browsers with other render engines – i.e. already by the end of 2023. This would eliminate various restrictions that currently exist for web use under iOS due to WebKit. The iPhone ticker calls in connection with this topic here such as online gaming as an area of use that is currently not possible. Do you know any other technical limitations of WebKit on the iPhone or iPad? Please leave a comment!
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After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.