In the future, iPhone and iPad users will probably be able to choose the right browser: in parallel with Google and Chrome, Mozilla has apparently also started porting the Gecko engine used for Firefox to iOS. This is suggested by a reference to “GeckoView” in the Github directory of the iOS version of Firefox, as noted by The Register. GeckoView is a wrapper for the Gecko engine that Mozilla already uses on Android.
There hasn’t been an official announcement about the porting yet. According to a developer, Mozilla had prepared the porting of Gecko to iOS at least twice many years ago – but was never able to implement the project.
Apple ban on other browser engines
In response to one Bug report in the issue tracker on Github a Mozilla developer explained that they will integrate a setting to turn GeckoView on and off. When asked by another developer in which version this function appears, the answer is that the code is intended for a “second project”. He can’t wait until “the EU clarifies the situation and we have a real Gecko Firefox for iOS,” says the developer.
Apple explicitly forbids the use of third-party browser engines in iOS, browsers with their own engines are not allowed in the App Store. All third-party browsers – including Firefox and Google – must therefore rely on Apple’s WebKit as a substructure and are therefore dependent on the iPhone manufacturer in terms of functions and security gaps. There has been criticism of the WebKit requirement for a long time, Apple has primarily rejected this with reference to security and data protection.
Digital Markets Act bans browser engine specifications
Web developers in particular have repeatedly criticized the WebKit monoculture in iOS for being anti-competitive and threatening the open web. The first competition authorities, such as the British “Competition and Markets Authority”, also complain that Safari is ultimately not exposed to any competition and that web apps are restricted.
The recently passed Digital Markets Act in Europe should mean the end of the WebKit obligation – such a specification of the browser engine by Gatekeeper is described as not permissible. Apple also seems to be preparing for more competition, the further development of WebKit has picked up speed significantly in recent months. According to a previous report, Google for Chrome has also started adapting the Blink engine for iOS.
(lbe)
