this post was submitted on 15 Aug 2023
38 points (100.0% liked)

Firefox

449 readers
4 users here now

A place to discuss the news and latest developments on the open-source browser Firefox

founded 4 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Hello all,

Firefox on iOS is for me lacking something : it's own engine. As Apple is forcing browsers to use their own engine, WebKit, Firefox on iOS is in the end not a lot more than a wrapper to Safari. And I'm not happy with that.

I remember reading news last year that Apple will be forced by the EU to get rid of this limitation and allow browser to use their own engine.

I stumbled upon a lot of articles dating February stating that Firefox is actively working on having Gecko on iOS, but I cannot find any news about that since.

Do somebody know where we stand with that ? Is it abandoned, still in progress ?

Firefox is my number one browser of choice, and the only mature and good alternative to Chromium based browsers today. I would love to be able to use it on my phone as well as on my desktop...

top 6 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] Strafer@artemis.camp 24 points 1 year ago

Until there is anything formal from Apple allowing alternative browser engines I’d wouldn’t really expect too many updates from Firefox on their custom engine project.

[–] Sharmat 16 points 1 year ago

There are a few rumours that Apple might drop the WebKit requirement soon, due to some laws adopted by the EU, however there has been no official response or comment by Apple so far.

[–] JackGreenEarth@lemm.ee 9 points 1 year ago

If you like privacy and freedom, you could use Android (degoogled, obviously). I understand the EU is trying to force Apple to become better, but it's still a walled garden much more than Android is, or aspires to be.

[–] fossisfun@lemmy.ml 6 points 1 year ago

As far as I know, companies don't have to comply yet with the Digital Markets Act. That's most likely the reason why the WebKit restriction is still in place.

[–] MortyMcFry@aussie.zone 3 points 1 year ago

I google it every so often, but I think it’s dead or a private project for now

[–] ProtonBadger@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago

I'm looking forward to it too. They have mentioned a few times in the past they wanted this but I think as long as it's not officially possible they are not going to post progress reports. Without having any evidence I'm pretty sure it'll happen but I can understand Mozilla not making any promises until it's possible for sure.

Furthermore it will in all likelihood only be allowed in markets that legislate for it which ultimately will probably be everywhere but not to start with.

We just have to be patient.