In response to new regulations in the European Union, Apple is set to allow alternative browser engines to run on iOS for users in the EU with the upcoming iOS 17.4 update. Previously, all browsers on iOS were required to use the WebKit engine, which powers Apple’s Safari. However, the change will now enable developers to use non-WebKit engines for browsers and in-app browsers, allowing for more flexibility and feature compatibility.
Developers seeking to switch engines will need authorization from Apple, subject to specific criteria and commitments to privacy and security measures. Once authorized, they can access features such as Passkeys and multiprocessing. Additionally, a new choice screen will be introduced to Safari, allowing users to choose a different default browser when they first open the app.
The move by Apple is in compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandates user freedom to uninstall preinstalled apps, including web browsers, and choose alternatives. Apple expressed its displeasure with the change in a release, stating that it is a result of the DMA’s requirements and implies that EU users will face an interruption in their experience with Safari.
While Apple argues that other browser engines pose security and performance risks, the changes are specific to iPhone users in the EU. The company plans to ensure that only accounts belonging to individuals residing in the EU receive access to the new engines. In other regions, WebKit will continue to be the engine for Chrome and other browsers.
These changes are expected to lead to a browser war on iPhones in the EU, as developers work on non-WebKit versions of their browsers. Google, for instance, has been developing a non-WebKit version of Chrome for at least a year. The updated browsers are likely to become available in the App Store once iOS 17.4 is released in March.