Apple's recent update to iOS 17.4 has led to a significant surge in adopting the Brave Browser app among iPhone users in the European Union (EU), marking a notable departure from the default Safari browser.
For EU iPhone owners, the Safari browser is no longer the go-to mobile browser since they can now choose what to download on their phones.
EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) Prompting Change
The EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) mandates that Apple prompt European iPhone users to select their default browser, rather than automatically defaulting to Safari.
As 9to5Mac reports on Wednesday, March 13, the change has empowered users to make an informed choice regarding their preferred browsing experience.
Related Article : Spotify and More Complaints to the EU About Apple's 'Lack of DMA Compliance,' Wants to 'Play Fair'
Empowering Users with Choice
While iOS 14 technically allowed users to choose their preferred web browser, Apple's insistence on using its own WebKit API limited the options available to users. However, with the removal of this restriction in iOS 17.4, users now have the freedom to select from a range of browsers, including Chrome, DuckDuckGo, Edge, Firefox, and Brave.
Brave Browser's Surging Popularity
The impact of this change is evident in the notable increase in daily installs of the Brave Browser app, as reported by Bleeping Computer. Daily installs skyrocketed from below 8k to around 11k in just a few days, underscoring the growing preference for alternative browsers among iPhone users.
Why did Apple and Google make it hard to switch default browsers for so many years?
— Brave (@brave) March 12, 2024
Because it's a powerful way to block competitors.
Just look at what happened to Brave installs on iPhone in the EU when Apple rolled out a new default browser choice screen on March 6th: pic.twitter.com/Wefz4mCHGi
Unlocking AI Assistant Feature on Brave Browser for Android
Brave Leo, the AI assistant feature, is now available through the Brave browser app on Android devices. To access Brave Leo, update your app to version 1.63 or later.
If the feature is not immediately visible, be patient, as it is gradually rolling out to users, SlashGear writes. Once available, follow these steps to utilize Brave Leo:
- Open the Brave app.
- Type your query in the address bar and tap "Ask Leo" to engage with the AI assistant.
- For an on-page experience, navigate to a website within the Brave app, tap the three-dot menu button, and select "Leo" to initiate interaction.
Premium Experience with Brave Leo
While Brave Leo is free for all users on Android and PC, a premium subscription service, Leo Premium, offers enhanced features such as higher rate limits and quality conversations.
Priced at $14.99 per month, Leo Premium ensures a premium browsing experience across up to five devices and will soon be available on iOS devices in early 2024.
The increase in Brave Browser installations means a growing demand for browser diversity and user empowerment in the digital landscape. This is a sad day for the Cupertino giant, but it is what it is for EU users who have stuck with the Safari browser for many years.
Meanwhile, iMessage will remain exclusive amid DMA changes. Since it's not a gatekeeper, it's expected to be excluded from the list of affected apps.
