It seems that we will soon find more different web browsers on the iPhone and iPad. Several browser makers are preparing for new versions of their web browsers, partly thanks to a change from Apple. 
Benjamin Kuijten | iCulture.nl – 7 February 2023, 16:44 whatsappfacebooktwittertelegramlinkedinmailprint
Where every developer for the Mac can make his or her own browser and choose which browser engine the app uses, it is a lot more complicated with the iPhone and iPad. According to Apple's own App Store rules, browsers must always use WebKit, the browser engine developed by Apple. A browser engine is, say, the engine on which an internet browser runs. Google and Mozilla have each developed their own browser engines, but Chrome and Firefox on iOS do not. These both work with WebKit. This imposes restrictions on the browsers, as they only differ from Safari in terms of design and functions. But this limitation may soon be a thing of the past.
More browser engines on iPhone and iPad: change seems imminent
Apple has been under a magnifying glass at various (government) agencies in recent years. The criticism often boils down to the same thing: Apple has too much power and abuses this power to upset others. Whether you agree or not, the fact is that Apple restricts browser makers by always requiring them to use WebKit. And that while some other browser engines sometimes provide better performance and support the latest standards. Multiple sources say that Apple is gradually working towards scrapping the WebKit rule, partly because of the Digital Markets Act in Europe. When Apple will drop the rule and give developers the freedom they want is not yet clear. This may come as part of iOS 17, but Apple could also open the doors earlier, for example in iOS 16.4.
Nearly a year ago, web browser developers united in the Open Web Advocacy and jointly voiced their complaints about the current situation regarding browsers on the iPhone and iPad. So it seems that they are finally being heard and changes are planned soon. Two makers seem to have already made the necessary preparations.
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“Apple wants to drop WebKit requirement for web browsers”
Web browsers on the iPhone no longer need to be based on the WebKit engine. Apple is considering that, according to Bloomberg. It would mean real Safari alternatives could come.
Google and Mozilla are working on new browsers
Google appears to have been busy internally for a while with the transfer of Blink, the engine of Google Chrome, to the iPhone and iPad. Clues have been found in the code that indicate significant progress has been made in Google's own browser for iOS. Blink is used on the desktop not only by Google Chrome, but also by Microsoft Edge and Opera. When Blink actually becomes available on iOS and iPadOS, it means that many browsers will want to take advantage of it.
At the same time, Mozilla does not seem to be sitting still. The developers at Mozilla have been experimenting with Gecko on iOS for a while. Gecko is Firefox's browser engine. In October 2022, an issue was posted on GitHub, a well-known developer platform, regarding the code of Firefox for iOS, which also contained references to GeckoView, a kind of shell for the Gecko engine.
It is noteworthy that two parties are simultaneously working to bring their own browser engine to the iPhone and iPad, while this is not allowed under current Apple rules. So it seems that both parties know more than is now officially known or that they are simply anticipating the moment Apple drops the rule. According to sources at The Register, Apple is certainly strengthening the WebKit team, because Apple would feel the hot breath of other browsers. Safari has increasingly lagged behind Chrome and Firefox in terms of web standards support in recent years. Currently, this also affects other browsers on iOS that must use WebKit. But opening up to the rules would put an end to this, resulting in more diversity in browser support.
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Developers call for: “Apple must give web browser makers more freedom '
Developers have united in the Open Web Advocacy and believe that Apple should allow multiple browsers on the iPhone and iPad. But now you may be thinking: you can already use Google Chrome, right? That is something different.