As the title states, either these browsers are nothing but full of trackers and ads or they are so locked down that they are basically not functional. Why can’t I find a browser that is just a freaking browser but with no BS???
Firefox is still an option, but if you aren’t fond of Mozilla, you also have Fennec (the F-Droid build that removes telemetry bits by default) and IronFox (a more secure spin of Firefox)
You can decide whether to use Firefox Sync or not depending on how much you trust Mozilla, and extensions are supported on the Android version too! (in particular, I like uBlock Origin and Dark Background Light Text)
As for the desktop side (in case you need that as well), you have plenty of Firefox-based options as well, like LibreWolf (requires some configuration to disable some of the anti-finger printing stuff though), Zen Browser, and Floorp. Even plain Firefox is better than any Chromium-based options. You might also want to look out of Ladybird, which will use an independent engine (not Blink or Gecko!)
Librewolf is pretty nice, that’s one of the engines I use for desktop.
Firefox or one of it’s many many forks is the way to go. Personally I use IronFox as a browser that’s locked down by default, with some heavy uBlock Origin as blocking (it’s a less featured uMatrix), and an “on device VPN” app for DNS filtering for device wide ad blocking.
Don’t search using the Play Store. This is a rule that applies generally to everything: start your search online, find the right app for you and then go to the Play Store (or the Aurora Store, or F-Droid, or elsewhere) to download it. The Play Store is filled with terrible, data harvesting apps and you can easily get overwhelmed by the endless choice and misleading reviews and descriptions if you try to search within it.
All apks uploaded to the PlayStore have Google trackers by default. Choose alternative stores whenever possible.
Since working on towards being fully degoogled, the Play Store is off limits. Exploring the different app stores ( Aurora Store, F-Droid, Droid-ify, SaveHaven, Zapstore, Appteka, etc.) Never knew so many different stores existed until finally starting exploring them.
Aurora Store has been helpful, especially in showing you what apps have trackers in them or not. Learning over time whatapls suit me.
Fennec gives you Firefox with the telemetry stuff removed, and can use the same extensions as desktop Firefox.
This has been my browser of choice since the death of Mull
I noticed that there was an interesting change to this page somewhat recently: https://github.com/privacyguides/privacyguides.org/commit/899f32d17ac1502910412b99d6ffb5f3775b1db6
Seems it didn’t keep up with their requirements. You can see links to several discussions in the PR.
i use waterfox, it’s been perfect.
I tried Waterfox a few months back and had loads of issues with it, it just didn’t seem ready. I must try it again. using Fennec at the minute.
On a separate note, does anyone know if there’s a reason that you can’t view pages preloaded when offline anymore?
I had damaged my SIM before going to the shop the other day, loaded up a website with a recipe and ingredients on the page before I left using home WiFi.
When I got to the store, I couldn’t view the page, it wanted to load again…
Dude! Right?! It works so well while remaining pretty trustworthy. I added Privacy badger and port authority at the recommendation of EFF and Firefox extension store ratings, just to have it that much more secure. I especially love blocking Lexis Nexis port scanning!
i use vivaldi. fine for mobile (just a browser) and really cool fpr desktop since you can customize the ui in any way you want.
I’ve had no complaints about Firefox for Android. It even supports privacy addons like NoScript and UBlock Origin.
I assumed that Firefox/Fennec was gonna be the main choice. That seemed to be the only browser that’s functional.
And you haven’t tried it yet because…?
Firefox
The BS (trackers etc.) are on the web sites and you get them automatically unless your browser either actively filters them out, or implements an incomplete enough part of present-day web protocols that they don’t receive the trackers (e.g. by not supporting Javascript).
Unfortunately, filtering trackers is a never-ending arms race, while using a browser for the “historical web” makes a lot of present-day sites inaccessible.
I.e. the problem is the web itself, not the browser, for the most part.
I use Firefox but have fairly aggressive umatrix origin (ad blocker) settings, if that helps.
Duckduckgo?
This may be a bit extreme but, try the Emacs Web Browser, no bloat in there.
try helium
ah missed this was android - I use Firefox mobile with ublock origin and it works well.
