this post was submitted on 05 Sep 2024
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So as you may know, i am a guy mostly focused on privacy. Basically, insead of google i use SearXNG. (Privacy focused search engine) However, when i went to change the default search engine in safari, there was no option to add a custom search engine.

This really pissed me off. So how come Apple allows changing default browsers in the EU, but not search engines?

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[–] [email protected] 26 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I’m not saying it’s the right way, but I thought this had been possible for quite some time by using a safari extension like https://apps.apple.com/us/app/customize-search-engine/id6445840140

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

If you’re looking for a free way to do it. The “Hyperweb” extension lets you.

But this is an imperfect solution as it just redirects, and your search still gets sent to your safari default + it takes longer to load.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 months ago

you could try Safari/Webkit based Orion, which also happens to be more privacy focused as well. https://kagi.com/orion/

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 months ago (1 children)

IDK use Firefox mobile I guess?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

Yeah, Firefox on iOS lets you add custom search engines

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Kagi offers a safari plugin which intercepts a search request and sends it to Kagi instead. Works great.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (2 children)

They didn't want to use Kagi though.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

It also means someone could make a generalized search redirect safari extension without needing to wait for Apple

Edit: just checked looks like something like it exists

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Well they could. It’s part of the value proposition.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Sure, but why not just say that instead?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago

When Apple figures out a way to maximize its profit by extorting those search engines.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Safari is just way better integrated in the System and its not like Firefox on iOS is the real firefox. Its webkit with a Firefox skin.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago
[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Damn, was not aware of this

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

FF iOS still offers Mozilla sync and partial ad blocking but no extensions are available.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

What system integration do you want? I personally wish Apple didn't restrict the usage of certificates to safari but that's about it. But I only use iOS on my work phone. My personal phone is an Android.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

I use Arc Browser on iOS you can click search for me and it will peruse the top links to your search query and use an LLM to extract the information you want so you can avoid the cancer that is modern websites plagued with ads and burying the leed.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

@[email protected] It is not ideal, but you can use privacy redirect, an extension to change the search engine

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

What did Apple tell you when you asked? Did you think anyone here knows the answer?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

Yeah this is unacceptable

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Only search engine who pay got into that list.