Firefox for iOS now has a native adblocker

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Firefox for iOS is adding a built-in ad blocker, but it deliberately exempts search engine ads and sponsored content on Firefox’s own home/new-tab pages, raising questions about Mozilla’s reliance on Google and ad revenue. Commenters compare its effectiveness and trustworthiness to tools like uBlock Origin Lite, Wipr, AdGuard, and Firefox Focus, and note that Apple’s WebKit and extension restrictions limit how robust any iOS ad blocker can be. The conversation broadens into whether ad-funded content is sustainable or ethical, with many arguing that pervasive tracking and intrusive ads have made full ad blocking a basic security and privacy measure.

Scope and Limitations of Firefox iOS Adblocker

  • Blocks many ads at the “network level” using an EasyList-based filter list.
  • Does not block ads on search results pages (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, etc.) nor sponsored content on Firefox’s own Home/New Tab page.
  • Some see these exceptions as protecting Mozilla’s revenue sources; others note EasyList itself doesn’t block those categories and that sponsored tiles can be disabled in settings.
  • Unclear whether blocking is strictly DNS-level or more general network-level; some find the description vague.

Comparisons with Other iOS Adblock Solutions

  • Many note Safari already has strong options: uBlock Origin Lite, Wipr/Wipr 2 + Filtr, AdGuard, wBlock, etc.
  • uBlock Origin Lite is widely praised but acknowledged as less powerful than full uBO due to Manifest V3 / declarativeNetRequest limits.
  • Wipr and AdGuard can use both WebExtension and Content Blocker APIs to enable more system-wide blocking than pure browser extensions.
  • Firefox Focus/Klar has long offered content blocking via iOS’s content blocker subsystem and can be used with Safari; integrating blocking into main Firefox is seen as reducing friction.

Apple’s Platform Restrictions and Browser Extensions

  • Major frustration that Firefox iOS can’t support desktop-style extensions, unlike Orion which implements them via a “hacky” WebKit layer.
  • Apple’s WebKit-only rule on iOS (partially relaxed in EU/Japan under strict conditions) is blamed for limiting engines like Gecko and full uBO.
  • Some argue Apple’s vertically integrated, locked-down model yields safer, more reliable phones; others see it as anti-competitive, anti-user “walled garden” that should be regulated.

Mozilla’s Incentives and Google Relationship

  • Commenters highlight Mozilla’s large financial dependence on Google search deals and low Firefox market share.
  • Some argue Google overpays mainly to avoid a total browser monopoly accusation, not for traffic value alone.
  • This relationship is cited as a likely reason search ads remain unblocked.

Debate Over Advertising and Adblocking

  • One side: blocking all ads undermines funding for content creators; better to block only abusive ads and support “acceptable ads” standards.
  • Other side: online ads are inherently abusive, privacy-invasive, security-risky, and manipulative; comprehensive adblocking is framed as self-defense.
  • Alternatives discussed: subscriptions, micropayments (potentially crypto-based), and a desire for a less ad-driven web; skepticism remains about adoption economics.

User Sentiment and Adoption

  • Some are excited and consider switching from Brave/Orion to Firefox once the feature rolls out to them.
  • Others report Firefox iOS still lacking extensions, content blocker API integration, reproducible builds, or having UX issues (e.g., odd autocomplete).
  • Overall reaction: positive step but perceived as late, partial, and constrained by Apple and Mozilla’s business model.