Use Gecko on iOS 17.4 and newer in EU/Japan

[DragonSWDev]

User Problem

Why should we implement this? What is the user benefit?

After iOS 17.4 Apple allows running third party browser engines in European Union and that brings possibility of using Gecko engine instead of WebKit. That potentially can also bring things like extensions support like Firefox does on Android.

Ideas for Solution

Let us know if you have an idea on how to solve this user problem

Port Gecko to iOS and release Firefox version that uses it for EU users.

┆Issue is synchronized with this Jira Task

[data-sync-user]

➤ Jon Siddoway commented:

Relevant thread on Connect: https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/ideas/gecko-on-ios-17-4-and-newer-in-european-union/idi-p/52995 ( https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/ideas/gecko-on-ios-17-4-and-newer-in-european-union/idi-p/52995 )

[eirnym]

As far s I remember, back in the day it has been ported, but probably this idea has been scrapped.

[tehrealape]

Thanks opening the issue and at least asking for a port. Although I am just a lurker here, my whole life I have been using Firefox for the obvious reasons. Realizing that Firefox is not the same on iOS has massively disappointed me. While I am aware of all reasons given from each side, as well as I understand that maintaining separate code is most likely unmanageable, my hope does not die here. So yeah, I fully support it.

[lukasmichel]

The EU has designated ipadOS as gatekeeper too, just today: https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/commission-designates-apples-ipados-under-digital-markets-act-2024-04-29_en

That still means maintaining 2 versions of firefox for the EU and the rest of the world, but at least within EU, the user experience could be consistent across Apple's mobile devices.

[siamoqueer]

Can't wait!!!!

[TitanNano]

GeckoView (the library that was built to embed gecko into android apps) is currently being ported to iOS: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1882872

[t-hille]

One can argue why to accept the effort of maintaining two versions of the browser for EU and the rest of the world. But assume there is a Gecko based Firefox even with support for extensions. It will for sure soon become the browser people would like to have, which will increase pressure on Apple and I guess this is a goal that is worth the effort.

[HeavyTobi]

I really hope that one day Apple will also allow the other browser engines outside the EU as well, even though I am based in Germany. But I guess that will be the same day as hell freezes over

[bingoxo]

I really hope that one day Apple will also allow the other browser engines outside the EU as well, even though I am based in Germany. But I guess that will be the same day as hell freezes over

let's see it in EU first (it's been months and no news so far)

[Michelh91]

Any news on this topic?

[ppkhoa]

Checking in for updates, iOS 18.2 allows third-party browsers to add web apps with custom engines (for EU users, at least)

[EpicLPer]

Still waiting on this to happen, I would instantly ditch Brave and use FireFox from there on out.