uBlock Origin Lite now available for Safari

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Availability and Regional Rollout

  • Many EU users initially saw “not available in your country/region.”
  • Later comments report it becoming available across multiple European countries.
  • Cause is attributed to a new EU “trader” declaration in App Store settings; once fixed on the developer side, availability improved.
  • Region-specific App Store links caused confusion; a “global” ID-only link is recommended.

Version Requirements and Installation Issues

  • On iOS/iPadOS 18.5 and Safari 18.5 (including macOS Sequoia 15.5), users see errors like “not supported by this version of Safari” or “Unable to load.”
  • Updating to iOS/iPadOS 18.6 and Safari 18.6 (macOS 15.6 / at least macOS 13.7) consistently fixes activation.
  • Underlying issue is a Safari bug in declarativeNetRequest/registerContentScripts that was only fixed in 18.6.
  • Older iOS devices stuck below 18 can’t use uBOL; some users are frustrated that the App Store still allows installation without a clear pre‑install warning.

Permissions, Architecture, and Capabilities

  • Safari warns that the extension can read/alter page contents and history once enabled; this is needed for content scripts to modify pages.
  • uBOL’s service worker is designed to stay suspended and wake only when needed, minimizing CPU/memory; in Basic mode no content scripts are injected.
  • Lite is limited by Safari’s MV3/dNR-style APIs and cannot match full uBlock Origin on Firefox, especially for advanced anti‑tracking techniques and custom filters.

Comparison with Existing Blockers

  • Users compare uBOL to AdGuard, Wipr/Wipr 2, 1Blocker, Ghostery, Magic Lasso, Firefox Focus as content blocker, and system-wide tools (AdGuard app, NextDNS, Lockdown).
  • Some see noticeably faster page loads and better blocking than AdGuard/Wipr; others report little practical difference, noting iOS content blockers are constrained in general.
  • AdGuard’s multiple Safari extensions exist to work around Apple’s per‑extension rule limits; some find this bloated.
  • Wipr is praised for simplicity and effectiveness but criticized for occasional breakage (e.g., cookie walls) and being paid/periodically rewritten.

Effectiveness and Test Pages

  • Mixed scores reported on an online “adblock test” page; results vary wildly per reload and per configuration.
  • uBlock’s author has previously argued such synthetic tests are unreliable and can be misled by blockers’ anti‑detection tactics; uBOL includes its own built‑in test page instead.

App Store Search and Store Model Critiques

  • Many struggle to find the app via App Store search: copycat “Ublock” apps rank higher, and ad slots often show competing blockers or unrelated apps (including Chrome).
  • Some argue Apple’s poor search is deliberate to maximize ad revenue and engagement; others attribute it to general incompetence and complacency across Apple search products.
  • The presence of scammy lookalike apps and high‑priced subscription blockers is cited as evidence of weak App Store policing.

Apple Ecosystem, Privacy, and Alternatives

  • Several comments note Safari adblocking lagged for years and only recently gained working dNR support, contrasting with Firefox/desktop uBO.
  • There is skepticism about Apple’s “privacy” marketing given its ad business and App Store incentives; others point out long device support and argue all platforms involve trade‑offs.
  • Alternatives mentioned include using Firefox with full uBO on Android, Orion (WebKit with Firefox/Chrome extensions), Brave with built‑in adblock, and even Linux phones (Librem 5) for maximum control.