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Private Non-WebKit iOS Browser

A custom browser for iOS 17.4+ (EU region) that uses a non-WebKit rendering engine for unrestricted web browsing.

Overview

This browser app leverages the EU Digital Markets Act provisions that allow alternative browser engines on iOS. It uses Chromium/Blink instead of WebKit and does not implement Apple's Screen Time or content restriction APIs.

Features

  • Non-WebKit rendering engine (Chromium/Blink)
  • No Apple content restriction APIs
  • Private browsing mode
  • Direct HTTP/S networking
  • Tab management
  • History and bookmarks
  • Cookie management
  • No telemetry or tracking

Requirements

  • iOS Version: 17.4 or higher
  • Region: Device must be set to an EU country
  • Development:
    • Mac with Xcode 15+
    • Apple Developer Account (9/year)
    • Windows machine for code editing (optional)

Project Structure

/Browser/
├── App/                    # Swift UI application
│   ├── Sources/           # Swift source files
│   ├── Resources/         # Assets and resources
│   └── Info.plist        # App configuration
├── Engine/                # Chromium engine integration
│   ├── src/              # C++/Objective-C++ wrapper
│   ├── include/          # Header files
│   └── build/            # Build outputs
├── Scripts/              # Build and automation scripts
└── Docs/                 # Documentation

Build Instructions

Prerequisites

  1. Install Xcode 15 or later on macOS
  2. Install command line tools: xcode-select --install
  3. Sign up for Apple Developer Program
  4. Configure your development team in Xcode

Building the Engine

# Navigate to project directory
cd Browser

# Make build script executable
chmod +x Scripts/build_engine.sh

# Build the Chromium engine (first time only)
./Scripts/build_engine.sh

Note: Building Chromium from source requires ~30GB of disk space and can take several hours.

Building the App

  1. Open PrivateBrowser.xcodeproj in Xcode
  2. Select your development team in project settings
  3. Connect your iOS device (iOS 17.4+)
  4. Select your device as the build target
  5. Click Build and Run (⌘R)

Installation

Sideloading via Xcode

  1. Connect your iPhone/iPad to your Mac
  2. Trust the computer on your device
  3. Build and run the app from Xcode
  4. On first launch, go to Settings → General → Device Management
  5. Trust your developer certificate

Development Provisioning

The app will work for 7 days with a free Apple ID, or 1 year with a paid developer account.

Usage

  1. Launch the app
  2. Enter a URL or search term in the address bar
  3. Browse without content restrictions
  4. Use private mode for enhanced privacy

Technical Details

Engine Integration

The app uses a custom Chromium build compiled for iOS ARM64. The engine is integrated via:

  • ChromiumWrapper.mm: Objective-C++ bridge to Chromium CEF
  • ChromiumEngineBridge.swift: Swift interface to the engine
  • Metal rendering: Hardware-accelerated page rendering

Security & Privacy

  • No WebKit dependencies
  • No Screen Time API integration
  • No telemetry or analytics
  • All browsing data stored locally
  • Private mode clears session data

Development Workflow

On Windows

  1. Edit Swift and C++ code
  2. Commit changes to Git
  3. Push to GitHub repository

On Mac

  1. Pull latest changes
  2. Build and test on device
  3. Debug using Xcode tools

Troubleshooting

Build Errors

  • Missing framework: Run ./Scripts/build_engine.sh first
  • Code signing: Configure your development team in Xcode
  • iOS version: Ensure device is running iOS 17.4+

Runtime Issues

  • Crashes on launch: Check device logs in Xcode
  • Rendering issues: Verify Metal support on device
  • Network errors: Check Info.plist network permissions

Legal Notice

This project is for personal/private use only. Do not distribute this app in violation of:

  • Apple App Store guidelines
  • Local laws and regulations
  • Terms of service agreements

The app bypasses system content restrictions. Users are responsible for appropriate usage.

Contributing

This is a private project. For bug reports or feature requests, please open an issue.

License

Private use only. Not for distribution.

Acknowledgments

  • Chromium project for the rendering engine
  • Apple for iOS development tools
  • EU Digital Markets Act for enabling browser choice

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