Apple iOS now requires age verification to access websites it deems 18+. Not even using another browser like Firefox works, it’s blocked at the OS level.

I was putting off switching to Graphene or e/os until prices improve, but looks like my hand is forced.

Edit: VPN doesn’t even work because Apple knows your GPS location. I haven’t tried location spoofing yet because that’s a bit more annoying to setup.

  • Whats_your_reasoning@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    5 days ago

    How does that work? Do you have any links with more information?

    I use Orion browser on an iPhone. I’m not sure what to search to find info about how this all works on that browser. All my searches are returning are sites that compare features between the two. I’m not a tech person (unless you ask non-Millennials), and this is the first time I’ve heard that every iOS browser is actually Safari in disguise. I need to know more!

    • IMALlama@lemmy.worldEnglish
      8·
      5 days ago

      https://www.theregister.com/software/2026/06/17/apples-webkit-performance-tax-leaves-ios-browsers-stuck-in-the-slow-lane-says-microsoft/5257384

      due to Apple’s platform rules, every browser that runs on iOS is WebKit-based, so there are few opportunities for competitive differentiation outside of interface elements.

      “Even in the EU and Japan, where Apple is now required to allow browser vendors to use their own engines, the barriers it has put in place ensure browser vendors are prevented from porting their own engines to iOS. Given that Apple has now had more than two years to produce a compliant solution, the European Commission needs to open a specification proceeding to instruct Apple, in precise terms, how these barriers must be removed.”

      • Whats_your_reasoning@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        5 days ago

        While I still don’t fully understand what it means by “engines,” that certainly explains why it takes fucking forever for webpages to load on my phone.

        Thank you for providing more info!