Android's Kiwi Browser will follow Chromium releases more closely soon
Kiwi Browser is a third-party Chromium-based web browser for Google's Android operating system that packs a lot of features. Probably the most noteworthy is the browser's support for Chrome extensions; while not all extensions will install on Android, it is one of the few browsers that is based on Chromium that supports extensions on Android.
Kiwi browser comes with an integrated ad-blocker and some other features, but it is extensions support that may appeal the most to users.
The browser is developed by a single developer, and this meant in the past that releases were infrequent. Considering that hundreds of developers are working on major browsers for Android, Chrome, Edge, Vivaldi, Opera or Brave, it is clear that Kiwi development is at a disadvantage in this regard.
With Chromium moving from a 6-week to a 4-week release cycle, things could get even worse in the future.
The developer of Kiwi Browser has been working on Kiwi Next for some time now to address the issue and make Kiwi Browser follow Chromium releases closely.
Kiwi Next uses automation tools and scripting to keep up with Chromium's 4-week release cycle.
Chromium releases may include new features or changes, but they include security updates and bug fixes usually. Getting these quicker to the Kiwi Browser population improves the security of users, improves stability of the browser, and will improve compatibility on the Web as well.
Previews of Kiwi Next are available, but most Kiwi Browser users and those interested in the mobile browser, may check out the latest version of the current release. A recent update has updated it to the Chromium 93 base, introducing security and stability updates, as well as other changes regarding stability and compatibility.
Users who have used the vertical tab switcher in the past can't use it anymore in the new version as it has been removed entirely. An alternative has been added to the Settings by the developer of Kiwi Browser.
Closing Words
It is almost impossible for a single-browser project to follow a 6-week release cycle. The change to a 4-week release cycle puts even more pressure on developers, considering that security updates, stability fixes and other bug fixes are part of these updates.
The Kiwi Browser developer plans to use automation to speed up development. If this works out, Kiwi Browser will see more frequent releases, which will make it more secure, stable and compatible. Add the extra features, especially extensions support, and you could see the browser reach new heights in the coming years.
Now You: have you tried Kiwi Browser in the past? (via XDA Developers)
I like Kiwi Browser too, but just not sure when it is going to update, and keep up the security patch or something.
Since Brave now supports “Clear Data on Exit”, and it is certainly updated regularly. So, I switch to it recently, along with Samsung Browser as my secondary option.
Kiwi blocked most of the anti-adblock add-ons on various search engine domains, special domains created only to proxy your searches to official search engines and various subdomains which can be used by any page to disable ad blocking on them because code searches for substring in domain name. https://github.com/kiwibrowser/src/blob/25623ba7c6807e9a2f7cb53dc40e46ac729ccc83/extensions/renderer/extension_injection_host.cc#L56
Author admitted, this is done for profit and cannot be disabled because this part of code is not even his – it’s a part of the deal wit “them”. https://github.com/kiwibrowser/src/issues/352#issuecomment-821787712 Which btw smells very similar to behavior we seen a lot in browser add-ons, where some parties buy add-ons to stuff it with tracking, ads and who knows what, and then smuggle it on add-on stores as update under original author account.
It is spyware https://github.com/Tobi823/ffupdater/issues/35
I tried it out after Fenix came out as that seemed virtually unusable and I did not want to keep using an outdated browser… I still use Fennec 68(!) but I have kept Kiwi installed and use it occasionally. Most of the extensions I chose work really well, though the cookie controlling ones (such as Cookie Auto-delete) do not seem to delete cookies on startup, and I recall some extensions misbehaving in incognito mode.
I wish I could help the Kiwi and Iceraven devs, they’re doing such good work.
No, never used Kiwi browser, I’m currently using Bromite.
I should try Kiwi since extensions can be installed..thanks
I’ve been a firefox user since netscape navigator. For me Firefox for android had left me wanting fist quite some time. Long Story short ,… About a year ago I found kiwi and
I LOVE KIWI BROWSER!!
only wished that I had found it sooner. Thank you ghacks and friends! So so happy!
No, but it reads like that https://kiwibrowser.com/ founder Arnaud Granal the last 10 years has developed a nice product and is also walking on the smartest path by implementing the security updates first. Again good job. Hopefully, tor like technics ( Read anonymity online) will also be implemented in the future.
A individual developer can implement extensions in chrome for android but google can’t. Such a shame.
Of course they can. But it’s bad for business if the average user would find out that they don’t have to look at ads while using Chrome or the YouTube “app”. Thankfully there are clever developers that make things like Kiwi Browser and NewPipe so our tiny little carry-on screens can be filled with actual content instead of soiled with garbage. As it is now, the poor average user doesn’t probably even know that you don’t have to use the YouTube “app” to look at YouTube.. Same thing with GooMail, FacePoop, WhatsCrapp etc etc.. It’s money straight into Google’s pocket, the fact that most don’t know or care. But the sleeping masses are awakening.. That’s why Google is in panic-mode redesigning the whole cookie/ad/tracking system so they can continue getting free cash from everybody. I bet they are kicking themselves for agreeing back in the day to develop chromium and AOSP..
I have used Kiwi for quite a while now, the old one was way better than anything else on android and this new development just blows all competition out of the water. Yes, I have tried them ALL, ALL OF THE BROWSERS THAT EXIST ON ANDROID, extensively. Kiwi wins. Add ublock origin, kill sticky, I don’t like cookies – extensions to the mix and you got yourself a lean mean surfin’ machine.
Sorry for shouting. Nope, you can’t recommend me any other android browser. I am spoiled, I want the best one.
Use for years,imo best browser far android.
All extensions working. Customizable,even dark mode you can enable for all sites.