A beta version of uBO Lite (uBOL) for iOS and macOS is available through TestFlight: https://github.com/uBlockOrigin/uBOL-home/issues/327
For details of uBOL, see the project page: https://github.com/uBlockOrigin/uBOL-home
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So I’ma bit confused, would this block ads while I’m using the YouTube app? Or just ads while I’m using safari? Aren’t browsers on iOS just reskins of safari under the hood as well? Meaning this would work with chrome / Firefox?
No.
The “all browsers are iOS reskin” thing is browsers must use WebKit for JavaScript and rendering, which are the two biggest parts of a browser. WebKit is a library of code distributed as part of the iOS SDK. However, Safari adds more on top of WebKit, including its plugin API. Installing plugins into iOS Safari wont affect anything just using WebKit because they aren’t using the Safari plugins code.
In theory Firefox could implement its own plugins system for iOS, but it would more limited than the normal Firefox plugin system for other devices, and also they might run into policy issues with Apple (this policy about 3rd party browsers is part of a broader policy against side loading, which has in the past prevented things like emulators and programming apps into the App Store. They have recently started loosening up on their anti-side loading policies, however).
Don’t expect to block stuff from Google while using Chrome. Google is [one of] the biggest advertising companies
The only way this will work as of now (at least in the US, I’m unsure how extensions may work on a third party App Store with the newer EU regulations) is if you use safari only. iOS allows for safari extensions from the App Store which already have things like ad blockers, but they definitely do not run within any third party apps. The code is certainly likely to be open source, but I definitely don’t see chrome/brave integrating it as part of their app bundle. Perhaps Firefox? In any case it’s up to each browser vendor to provide their own ad blocking system. For complete system wide adblocking on iOS you pretty much need a VPN.
Nice, the number of adblocking apps on iOS is rare. Most demand subscriptions and don’t do device wide adblocking, only in Safari. Only the old version of AdGuard Pro still does it, so I haven’t updated the app in years.
Wipr
Wipr 2 is incredible and the dev is EXCELLENT
Agreed, but just to clarify as the above commenter said, it is safari-only. VPN based ad blockers are basically the only way to block ads throughout iOS and they are all subscription based unless you are grandfathered in (like the early adblocker pro subscription mentioned above).
Edit: I forgot to mention, you can set up PiHole (https://pi-hole.net/) on your home network and then set up a small OpenVPN or Wireguard server on that network and install either
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/openvpn-connect-openvpn-app/id590379981
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wireguard/id1441195209
So you still need a VPN app, but if it lives on your home network you don’t need a VPN subscription
I use a combo of Firefox Focus and Safari with Wipr 2 on my phone! Every other browser is WebKit under the hood so whatever, but I would LOVE Firefox with actual extensions and Firefox guts
Agreed. For apple I imagine the biggest issue is that a system-wide ad blocker means that all of the AdAttributionKit and StoreKit stuff might get blocked and therefore it’s never an API they’d open to other general apps because it’s less revenue. That being said though, like I said VPNs can filter requests.
And the APIs already exist
https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/web-content-filter-payload-settings-depc77c9609/web
But it’s exclusive to MDM providers which pay apple a boatload of money and are specifically integrating your app with an enterprise deployment scheme. Maybe the EU can rally to get apple to open up these APIs to power users
Edit: Forgot to mention that Firefox is also safari under the hood. Apple does not allow custom browsers. Firefox for iOS is safari with firefox trimmings.
Daaaamn you know sooooo much more than I do (not sarcastic!)
I’m much more of a layman but I would loooove ublock for Firefox on iOS, I just know that WebKit is the only way and that’s okay with me for now.
I would obviously welcome an open API!
Quick edit; I’m drunk and don’t want to come off as sarcastic. I fully agree with you! But I do love iOS!
Haha no worries awesome person, I’m also a little intoxicated, had a good work breakthrough this week (lol doing my job working on a mobile app) so I’m celebrating myself. I run the mobile iOS and Android app teams at the company I work for so I appreciate the kind compliments that remind me that maybe I’m not an imposter.
That being said, totally agree. To be honest, the developer experience on Apple/Swift/App Store is like light years above what it’s like for Android/Kotlin/Play Store but I am frequently frustrated by Apple restrictions, so it it’s always “the grass is basically just as green on both sides.”
Orion browser is a bit better than Safari for adblocking but doesn’t solve the issue of other apps
Firefox Focus too!
Yeah unfortunately this is only a safari extension
Great news, been too long since this was a thing
spoiler
(even though I’d never buy an Apple device myself)
I want to buy a used one just play and learn iOS but I fear getting scammed and the device being locked.
If you buy from a reputable seller with a good free return policy, at worst you’ll have to send the device back. If you have access to a credit card or PayPal, it’s a good idea to use them, in case the seller becomes unresponsive.
Pro Tip for PayPal: in the (hopefully unlikely) event that PayPal sides with the seller, contact the BBB and complain.
I had an issue with a seller on eBay claiming they shipped me an iPad, but it was not to my address. It was considered delivered so both eBay and PayPal decided they wanted to wash their hands of my complaint and not honor their guarantees. This was in spite of the postmaster sending them a letter acknowledging that the package was not delivered to me. Once I filed a complaint with the BBB, PayPal was quick to resolve my issue with a refund.
contact the BBB and complain.
BBB is not a sanctioning body; they are just Yelp for boomers. Entirely voluntary participation. Gotta make that clear.
Yes, it is voluntary. But, in the case of PayPal, they care about their BBB rating. And, that’s a Good Thing™.
I’ve used Swappa before and it worked out fine. I sought a private seller instead of the cellphone shops that sell there.
Finally, took them long enough. AdGuard has been good to me but I’ll switch to UBlock in 0.02 nanoseconds once it is available.
Fantastic! Been waiting for this for a long time.
Fantastic!
Fuck, wish they released that while I was on iPhone during HS. All the other ad blockers were paid and/or Safari only, and I DESPISE Safari, It’s so bad. I just used Firefox + NextDNS and prayed.
It’s going to be safari only. There’s no API on iOS for system wide blocking unless it’s a third party VPN server filtering network requests.
Not surprised, Apple hates devs anyway. Like I said, I used NextDNS to filter internet traffic and used Proton VPN for pirating/hiding my IP/usual shit. I’m on Graphene now so I’m not invested anyway, but maybe I would’ve forced myself to use Safari if uBlock was available for it.
What’s wrong with Safari on iOS? I prefer Firefox on my computer but on my phone all I want is better adblocking.
I just hated using it, and I already had a FF account that I use everyday and made syncing things better. Safari’s UI feels gross and ancient to me, and even my iPhone/MacOS loving mom says the way bookmarks/saved pages works is dumb. Plus, I used FF to have a balance of convenience and privacy, since most other options on iOS aren’t privacy friendly.
