Apple’s iOS 17.4 Update Allows Full Versions of Chrome and Firefox Browsers on iPhones
Apple has started making some changes to the iOS system, with support for the iOS 17.4 update to run full versions of Chrome and Firefox browsers on iPhones being revealed.
The regulations put in place by the European Union have prompted Apple to make some changes to the iOS operating system, and the iOS 17.4 update is a new step from Apple to implement these regulations.
The iOS 17.4 update now supports running full versions of Chrome and Firefox browsers on iPhones, but this feature will only be available to users in the European Union.
While many browser apps are available in the Apple App Store, Apple has only allowed the WebKit engine to work on iPhones, which is the technology that powers Apple’s Safari browser.
On the other hand, the Chrome browser relies on an engine known as “Chromium”, which is the widely used engine that powers browsers like Edge, Brave, Arc, and Opera.
Meanwhile, the Firefox browser from Mozilla relies on the Gecko engine, and the iOS system has pushed many browsers to operate through the WebKit engine, causing many browser features to be disabled on iPhones.
The iOS 17.4 update comes with the anticipated change from users, as the regulations from the European Union have compelled Apple to make this change in the operating system update, which now supports running browsers on other engines, thus not requiring browsers to use the WebKit engine.
Apple has confirmed in its official announcement that making this change will require app developers to first obtain permission to replace the engine after meeting the specific requirements from Apple to support privacy and security standards for users.