5 ms·

Because Apple does allow you to install other browsers. But then again that depends on how you define browsers...

• mikeash 11y ago
  Let's define it as apps that actually use a different browser engine, and aren't merely a reskin of the exact same engine used in Safari. In short, something that is actually capable of supporting new features that Safari doesn't. This is not possible on iOS without a jailbreak, because Apple simply doesn't allow alternative browser engines to be used.
  • briandear 11y ago
    Why not? Apple also doesn't allow Flash, so the question is, why? Does Apple make money from Safari? Is there a technical reason that might preclude another browser engine?
    • mikeash 11y ago
      That is an excellent question I'm afraid I have no answer to.
    • deleted 11y ago
      [deleted]
    • thm76 11y ago
      My understanding was that they don't want to allow executing downloaded code that hasn't gone through the App Store review (such as JavaScript in web pages). I think they allow Lua for scripting in games, though. So, basically, a 3rd party JavaScript engine is not allowed. I guess you could write your own browser engine that doesn't support JavaScript. I guess Flash was not allowed for performance and security reasons (lots of vulnerabilities, right?)
      • mikeash 11y ago
        Alternative browser engines are forbidden, JavaScript or no JavaScript.
    • alwillis 11y ago
      Steve Jobs wrote an essay why Apple didn't allow Flash on iOS in 2010: Thoughts on Flash https://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/ https://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/