DuckDuckGo Gets iOS 14 Update, Can Be Set as Default Browser App

Apple in iOS and iPadOS 14 is allowing third-party apps to be set as alternatives to the default mail and browser apps on iPhone and iPad, and developers with of browser and mail apps are implementing support now that the updates are available.

ios14 and default ddgo feature 2
Privacy-focused browser DuckDuckGo is now able to be set as the default browser app on the ‌iPhone‌ and the ‌iPad‌, serving as an alternative to Safari. With DuckDuckGo set as the default, links that you tap on an ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌ will open in DuckDuckGo instead of Safari.

In a blog post, DuckDuckGo says that setting the DuckDuckGo browser of default will provide protection from trackers by blocking third-party tracking requests outright as well as offering greater privacy for web searches and browsing.

DuckDuckGo can be set as the default browser app by installing DuckDuckGo from the App Store, opening up the Settings app, selecting DuckDuckGo in the apps list, and then tapping on Default Browser App.

Chrome and Microsoft Edge have also implemented support for iOS 14 and can be set as default browser apps as well.

There's also a new DuckDuckGo search widget that can be installed on the Home Screen of the ‌iPhone‌.

Related Forum: iOS 14

Top Rated Comments

Taz Mangus Avatar
47 months ago
I just set DuckDuckGo as the search engine in Safari. Also, do the same in macOS Safari.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
827538 Avatar
47 months ago
I've used Google search for as long as I can remember but recently over the last month or so I've steadily moved to DuckDuckGo, it's amazing the amount Google filters out and censors. I'm actually having to go to DDG in order to find stuff these days.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
47 months ago
If anyone cared to to take a peak at the number of tracking cookies forced without your consent into the browser cache, they'd be appalled at the Wild Wild West that resides in there. It's a free for all of data tracking.

Pro Tip: Delete your cookies and browsing history after leaving a website or pay the consequences. Actually to get rid of trackers held in RAM, the browser has to be quit too.
The Data Trackers pretty much ruined the Internet
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Moyapilot Avatar
47 months ago
I notice Safari on IpadOS14 is really fast. I never tried the betas.

Does Apple still keep the turbo javascript engine or whatever its called all to themselves still? Or do other browsers get access to this too. This is a big factor as it seems Safari has turned up the performance up another notch (on IOS at-least)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DinkThifferent Avatar
47 months ago
It's nice that they offer this for those who love DuckDuckGo, but i'm very happy with Safari (with adblocker of course). I love handoff and iCloud Tabs and it's a fast (snappy) and reliable browser. I am using DDG more as a search engine now.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
stevet Avatar
47 months ago
Every once in a while I try duck duck go and every time I’m reminded why I don’t stay with it. Just not as good
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Announces 'Let Loose' Event on May 7 Amid Rumors of New iPads

Tuesday April 23, 2024 7:11 am PDT by
Apple has announced it will be holding a special event on Tuesday, May 7 at 7 a.m. Pacific Time (10 a.m. Eastern Time), with a live stream to be available on Apple.com and on YouTube as usual. The event invitation has a tagline of "Let Loose" and shows an artistic render of an Apple Pencil, suggesting that iPads will be a focus of the event. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more ...
Apple Vision Pro Dual Loop Band Orange Feature 2

Apple Cuts Vision Pro Shipments as Demand Falls 'Sharply Beyond Expectations'

Tuesday April 23, 2024 9:44 am PDT by
Apple has dropped the number of Vision Pro units that it plans to ship in 2024, going from an expected 700 to 800k units to just 400k to 450k units, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Orders have been scaled back before the Vision Pro has launched in markets outside of the United States, which Kuo says is a sign that demand in the U.S. has "fallen sharply beyond expectations." As a...
iOS 17 All New Features Thumb

iOS 17.5 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday April 21, 2024 3:00 am PDT by
The upcoming iOS 17.5 update for the iPhone includes only a few new user-facing features, but hidden code changes reveal some additional possibilities. Below, we have recapped everything new in the iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 beta so far. Web Distribution Starting with the second beta of iOS 17.5, eligible developers are able to distribute their iOS apps to iPhone users located in the EU...
iPad And Calculator App Feature

Apple Finally Plans to Release a Calculator App for iPad Later This Year

Tuesday April 23, 2024 9:08 am PDT by
Apple is finally planning a Calculator app for the iPad, over 14 years after launching the device, according to a source familiar with the matter. iPadOS 18 will include a built-in Calculator app for all iPad models that are compatible with the software update, which is expected to be unveiled during the opening keynote of Apple's annual developers conference WWDC on June 10. AppleInsider...
iPhone 15 Pro FineWoven

Apple Reportedly Stops Production of FineWoven Accessories

Sunday April 21, 2024 6:03 am PDT by
Apple has stopped production of FineWoven accessories, according to the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami." In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kosutami explained that Apple has stopped production of FineWoven accessories due to its poor durability. The company may move to another non-leather material for its premium accessories in the future. Kosutami has revealed...