cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/58870060

I’ve been using Samsung Internet for a very long time, knowing it isn’t the best one for privacy. However, the user experience with it is, for me, unmatched by any other browser, including Vivaldi, Brave, and any Firefox forks.

So here’s what I’m looking for in a browser:

  • preferably FOSS

  • some control on privacy setting, less trackers/fingerprinting, etc. Doesn’t have to be the most hardened.

  • decent dark mode for web pages (Dark Reader is OK)

  • bottom search bar

  • bottom tabs bar rather than tab switcher

  • a quit button I don’t have to tap and scroll 2 times to find. Ideally it’d be placed on the main bottom bar

  • the quit button must clear cache and close all tabs, so I think it should be native and not an extension, but maybe I’m wrong?

Is there any browser that can give me that?

I’d love using Fennec as my main - and God knows I’ve tried multiple times to - but missing some of those feature made it hard for me to leave Samsung Internet behind. ATM I’m using both browsers BTW.

Any suggestion is appreciated!

  • kia@lemmy.caEnglish
    2·
    1 month ago

    Firefox on Android is really nice and meets most of these. Also having full extension support is a huge plus.

    • Sifu@lemmy.worldEnglish
      03·
      1 month ago

      What are you even talking about, Firefox on android sucks. It is so outdated design wise and just terrible to use, and the download list doesnt show you download history for some reason. Firefox on other OS’s work great, I even use it as my daily driver but on android. Uff no way.

      Sure, the extensions are great, fantastic even. But its the only pro in a sea of cons.🤷

  • Clot@lemm.eeEnglish
    1·
    1 month ago

    I use fennec, it’s just firefox without current bs of firefox going on

  • Whooping_Seal@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    1·
    1 month ago

    I’m going to suggest an alternative to Samsung Internet or Firefox : https://github.com/uazo/cromite

    Out of the options I’ve tried, it’s probably the best bet for reducing tracking, fingerprinting & increasing security without turning to Tor browser (which while it is more anonymous, is frustrating for general browsing)

    For clearing cache, there are two options. There’s a dedicated clear browsing data button in the hamburger menu, it can also be configured to “sanitize on close” (similar to Firefox on desktop, or Brave on desktop / mobile) [In cromite, this can be found under Security > Clear the data at open]

    I can’t recommend Firefox on Android in good faith, until site isolation (fission) is enabled on the platform. This is a major security regression compared to desktop Firefox, or chromium based browsers on Android

    Edit: It seems like Iron Fox (continuation of Mull / fork of Firefox) has site isolation enabled - but it is still buggy and does not have all features enabled e.g no isolated process SELinux labels.

  • darkkite@lemmy.mlEnglish
    1·
    1 month ago

    regardless of your browser choice make url check your default link handler to unshort urls and remove query parameters

  • brax@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    1·
    1 month ago

    Don’t think I’ve ever used the default Samsung browser… Not intentionally, at least. Firefox Mobile has been fine for me. It has basic plugin support, do you can run unlock origin with it, too.