In response to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple recently announced that it would allow “alternative” browser engines on iPhones in Europe. Google’s head of Chrome shared their thoughts on this upcoming change regarding iPhone browser engines.
iOS 17.4, currently in beta and expected to go stable next month, will enable iOS apps – both dedicated browser apps and in-app browsing experiences – to utilize non-WebKit browser engines in the European Union.
On iPhones, Chrome and Microsoft Edge have been limited to using the same browser engine as Safari instead of Blink, while Firefox has been unable to implement Gecko. This restriction has hindered meaningful web browser competition and differentiation compared to desktop platforms and Android.
Apple has outlined detailed steps and specific criteria, including timely security updates and ongoing privacy and security requirements, for obtaining the Web Browser Engine Entitlement.
Chrome’s vice president and general manager, Parisa Tabriz, expressed concerns that Apple’s strategy is too restrictive and may not lead to genuine browser choice for developers. She echoed Mozilla’s statement that Firefox would need to maintain two separate browser implementations due to the Europe-only alternative browser engine provision.
Despite the challenges, Google is one of the few companies with the resources to commit to this effort. Last year, Google initiated a project to bring Blink to iOS, although it was initially experimental. The impact of the upcoming iOS change on this project remains to be seen.
In addition to Chrome and other Chromium browsers like Edge, third-party apps could potentially adopt Blink as well.
Blink for iOS as of March 2023
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