Skip to content
New issue

Have a question about this project? Sign up for a free GitHub account to open an issue and contact its maintainers and the community.

Sign up for GitHub

By clicking “Sign up for GitHub”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy statement. We’ll occasionally send you account related emails.

Already on GitHub? Sign in to your account

Update FAQ.md #176

Open
wants to merge 1 commit into
base: master
Choose a base branch
from
Open

Update FAQ.md #176

Changes from all commits
Commits
Show all changes
1 commit
Select commit
File filter

Filter by extension

Filter by extension
Conversations
Failed to load comments.
Loading
Jump to
Jump to file
Failed to load files.
Loading
Diff view
Diff view
84 changes: 33 additions & 51 deletions FAQ.md
View file
Open in desktop
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
@@ -1,91 +1,73 @@
# Frequently Asked Questions

## Does Google Sync/Translate/Data saver work?
No.
This is not a limitation of Bromite but of all Chromium-based projects in general, as general public is not allowed to use Google's APIs for free unless when using Chrome.

Additionally, these features would not be privacy-friendly.
## Does Google Sync/Translate/Data Saver work?
No. This is not a limitation of Cromite but of all Chromium-based projects in general, as the general public is not allowed to use Google's APIs for free unless when using Chrome. Additionally, these features would not be privacy-friendly.
Copy link
Owner

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

Additionally, these features would not be privacy-friendly

I would remove this sentence.
the google protocol allows synchronisation with passphare, I still don't know if it applies to everything or only to certain types.
that doesn't mean i'm going to activate it, but that sentence might not be true.


## Does Bromite require root?
## Does Cromite require root?
No.

## Is Bromite de-googled?

## Is Cromite de-googled?
Yes, although this has not been verified (and hardly can be) under all situations; if you were to find connections to cloud-based services please report them via the issue tracker.
Bromite uses [ungoogled-chromium's python script](https://github.com/Eloston/ungoogled-chromium/blob/master/utils/domain_substitution.py) to disable URLs in the codebase since version `78.0.3904.93`.

Projects which follow a strict approach on this are [Iridium](https://iridiumbrowser.de/) and [Inox patchset](https://github.com/gcarq/inox-patchset).

## Does Bromite support DRM media?
Cromite uses [ungoogled-chromium's python script](https://github.com/Eloston/ungoogled-chromium/blob/master/utils/domain_substitution.py) to disable URLs in the codebase.
Copy link
Owner

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

Yes, although this has not been verified (and hardly can be) under all situations; if you were to find connections to cloud-based services please report them via the issue tracker.

here I would say something about the 'internal firewall' patch

Other projects which follow a strict approach on this include [Iridium](https://iridiumbrowser.de/).
Copy link
Owner

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

Cromite uses ungoogled-chromium's python script to disable URLs in the codebase.
Other projects which follow a strict approach on this include Iridium.

not true, to be removed


## Does Cromite support DRM media?
Yes, in order to play protected/encrypted media content the browser will use Android's DRM media framework to automatically negotiate access (same as Chromium).
This means for example that requests to Android license servers will be performed (`www.googleapis.com`), see https://w3c.github.io/encrypted-media/#direct-individualization
This means for example that requests to Android license servers will be performed (`www.googleapis.com`), see https://w3c.github.io/encrypted-media/#direct-individualization.
Copy link
Owner

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

never tried, I wouldn't know what to write here
but if bromite did it, there's no reason why it wouldn't work in chromite

To disable this functionality you should disable protected content playback from Site settings -> Protected Content.

## What is the SystemWebView?
It is the core component of Android for all web page visualizations. For example when you access a new wifi network and need to activate it, that is using the SystemWebView. If you do not know what it is then you do not need to install it.

See also [the wiki page](https://github.com/bromite/bromite/wiki/Installing-SystemWebView) for community-contributed installation instructions.

Ad-blocking was present and always enabled in the SystemWebView from version `72.0.3626.120` till version `77.0.3865.104`, when it stopped working due to [upstream NetworkService changes](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TZEuPvr2KAbP4_TZpuuwtEEArQsyAkc2HDu68l66YwU/edit?ts=598244df#heading=h.ougoi5i6508y).
It is the core component of Android for all web page visualizations. For example when you access a new wifi network and need to activate it, that is using the SystemWebView. Cromite does not currently offer a SystemWebView apk and there are no plans to do so (see [issue 62](https://github.com/uazo/bromite-buildtools/issues/62)).
Copy link
Owner

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

What is the SystemWebView?

everything away, I would put it in the readme


## How to enable DNS-over-HTTPS?

See [this page](https://www.bromite.org/doh).
DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) is enabled by default in opportunistic mode (same as upstream Chromium); it is advised to choose a provider instead in order to use explicit mode. Enable DoH from Settings -> Privacy and Security -> Use Secure DNS -> Choose another provider and then enter the DoH template URL.

## Can you add HTTPS everywhere?
No.
We cannot add add-ons to Bromite (merely some features).

## Is Bromite on Play Store?
No, and this is not going to change. Many limitations apply for submissions there, including which ads are allowed to be blocked.

Bromite favors user freedom in software choice: the device is yours so you get to choose which software to run on it, end of the story.
## Can you add HTTPS Everywhere?
Cromite does not support add-ons. However you can achieve the same effect via Settings -> Privacy and Security -> Always use secure connections
Copy link
Owner

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

here i would write the difference with chrome, there it is automatic, here the user is warned and if he wants he upgrades to https


## Is Bromite on F-Droid?
It is not on the official F-Droid repository and there are no (more) plans to submit it.
## Is Cromite on Play Store?
No, and this is not going to change. Many limitations apply for submissions there, including which ads are allowed to be blocked. Cromite favors user freedom in software choice.
Copy link
Owner

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

Carl tried, I did not. i can't write like this.


You can use F-Droid client to install and receive updates via [the official Bromite F-Droid repository](https://www.bromite.org/fdroid).
## Is Cromite on F-Droid?
It is not on the official (default) F-Droid repository. This repository only accepts apps that the F-Droid maintainers can build from source, with a strict policy against including any non-FOSS binary blobs or native libraries, thus making it near impossible for any Chromium-based browser to be accepted - see [here](https://forum.f-droid.org/t/chromium-base-browser-or-bromite-in-main-f-droid-repo/17220/9) for further details.
You can however use the F-Droid client to install and receive updates via [the official Cromite F-Droid repository](https://www.cromite.org/fdroid/repo).

## Does Bromite support WebRTC?
Partially, see https://github.com/bromite/bromite/wiki/WebRTC
## Does Cromite support WebRTC?
Partially, with mitigations to minimise IP leaks.
Copy link
Owner

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

wait for response from #164


## Using Bromite will favour the monopoly of the Chromium/Blink engine, why do you develop and maintain Bromite?
## Using Cromite will favour the monopoly of the Chromium/Blink engine, why do you develop and maintain Cromite?
Copy link
Owner

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

why.. why... it's a game and a challenge!

Copy link

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

Another paragraph could be added to detail the major security issues with firefox on android

Copy link

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

@peternrdstrm One should not play the blame game. Cromite FAQ should focus Cromite and Cromite only.

In short, to show what a Chromium-based engine could do **for the user** if the user experience and needs were the main focus of modern browser design.

For an Android browser using an alternative engine see [Fennec F-Droid](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.mozilla.fennec_fdroid/).

## Does Bromite support extensions?
No; Bromite will support extensions only if upstream (Chromium) does, or similarly another project maintains the patch and functionality.
## Does Cromite support extensions?
No. Cromite does however integrate Adblock Plus functionality and has experimental support for Greasemonkey-style userscripts.

## Why do push notifications not work on this website?

The [Chromium Blink engine](https://www.chromium.org/blink) uses [GCM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Cloud_Messaging) to deliver messages
when websites use the [Push API](https://w3c.github.io/push-api/); this will not work in Bromite because cloud integrations are disabled (GCM in this case).
when websites use the [Push API](https://w3c.github.io/push-api/); this will not work in Cromite because cloud integrations are disabled (GCM in this case).

[ServiceWorker notifications](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/ServiceWorkerRegistration/showNotification) do work instead since they use
[android.app.Notification](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/ui/notifiers/notifications).

## Can PWAs be installed?

PWAs are only supported as home shortcuts; WebAPKs will not work because they are generated server-side on googleapis.com (which is not allowed in Bromite).
PWAs are only supported as home shortcuts; WebAPKs will not work because they are generated server-side on googleapis.com (which is not allowed in Cromite).

## Does Bromite support the Android autofill framework?
## Does Cromite support the Android autofill framework?

Yes, since version 94.0.4606.109 the native Android autofill can be used; this does not require accessibility services as a workaround.
Yes, Cromite uses the native Android autofill framework.

## Does Bromite support casting media content?
## Does Cromite support casting media content?

No, this would require Play Store binary blobs.

## Can you add this search engine as default?
No.
Bromite does not make any choice related to default search engines, the Chromium default is used.
Various Android browsers get some fee to ship their apps with a specific default search engine, Bromite does not get any fee from anyone.
Changing the default search engine would lead to an endless series of requests to change it based on personal preferences, thus no change is made to the default.
See also: https://github.com/bromite/bromite/wiki/SearchEngines

## Some sites show ads, how can I fix this?
You can compare the blocked URLs with a desktop browser and Bromite (using [remote debugging](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/devtools/remote-debugging/)) and figure out some new filter rules to be added.
If the ads are blocked via cosmetic filtering then blocking them is not possible with Bromite's engine and you might need something like an [user script](https://github.com/bromite/bromite/wiki/UserScripts) instead.
See also: https://github.com/bromite/bromite/wiki/AdBlocking
No. Cromite does not make any choice related to default search engines, the Chromium defaults are used.
Some Android browsers receive commissions to ship their apps with a specific default search engine. Cromite does not receive any fee from anyone.
Changing the default search engine would lead to an endless series of requests to change it based on personal preferences.
You can manually add any search engine that supports OpenSearch. Visit the search engine home page, then under Settings -> Search Engine you should see the option to pick that search engine as your default search provider.