This release adds support, on most devices but not all, for playback of Widevine protected content (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Spotify, etc) and fixes news articles on the homepage sometimes not loading.
This release also updates the layer that the browser uses to communicate with Android (Android Target SDK).
This release of Kiwi is still compatible until Android 4.1 as I try to keep it compatible even though it's a small number of users.
Enjoy!
Arnaud.
November 05, 2020
This release resolves a security issue that exists in all Chromium-based browsers (including Kiwi Browser and Google Chrome) that is called CVE-2020-15999. This issue was disclosed by Google on 2020-10-21 so we are rolling an update so you can have the fix.
Have a good day,
Arnaud.
October 31, 2020
This release resolves a security issue that exists in all Chromium-based browsers (including Kiwi Browser and Google Chrome) that is called CVE-2020-15999. This issue was disclosed by Google on 2020-10-21 so we are rolling an update so you can have the fix.
Have a good day,
Arnaud.
October 22, 2020
This version resolves an issue with the news on the homepage that could appear incorrectly and a minor issue with extensions compatibility. If you have any suggestion for Kiwi, please let me know, I'm reading every single comment (I don't reply everywhere as it's done one by one) and this is very helpful to shape the product.
If you have a lot of suggestions, you can also join the Discord community.
Have a great day and keep sharing Kiwi!
Arnaud.
October 10, 2020
This new version focuses on:
- (general) Improved two important stability issues (screen rotation, and GPU freezes)
- The feedback has been positive on this, but if you still have an issue, feel free to reach out and we can try other solutions together.
- (browsing) Fix related to Facebook Messenger web edition.
- (browsing) Fix for a minor issue related to Twitter windows not opening.
- (extensions) Added partial support for Opera experimental Desktop extensions.
October 01, 2020
This version supports text rewrap / reflow (adapt text based on zoom level).
+ Interface and animations are really improved
+ Better performance (new GPU driver and 64-bits engine!)
New settings:
+ Google Translate, Yandex and Baidu (Settings, Translator)
+ Possibility to add exceptions / whitelist in content filter
+ Support for external download managers
+ Show extensions first
+ Protect incognito windows
Remember to activate Hide annoying ads in the main menu
if you want faster browsing.
June 26, 2019
This version resolves issue of extensions unloading.
On some devices (in particular Xiaomi), extensions may be unloaded by the system when the device wants to optimize memory.
During the optimization, the device (Android) chooses what processes to disable.
In this new release of Kiwi: Kiwi indicates to Android that if Android wants more memory, it should try to avoid disabling the current active tab and the extensions.
If the extensions are disabled by Android, Kiwi will try to reload them.
May 25, 2019
19th May update:
Better stability, more performance improvements, correcting "Sandboxing not allowed" error messages.
+ 17th May update:
This version fixes Craigslist and adds support for Import / Export on the new tab page.
It also bring performance improvements and fixes an issue with the Search Widget in Night Mode/Black theme.
Support for extensions has been improved as well (chrome.tabs.onCreated/onUpdated/onRemoved).
May 18, 2019
10th May update: Fixed homepage news, improved stability & the way extensions are shown & a couple of small bugs.
Happy to announce that Kiwi is back on the store!
We are now over 300,000 active users.
The bad news: Background play is now disabled on YouTube (request of Google Play).
The good news: This version has better performance, new content filters, better extensions support and introduces a Diamond Black theme. The homepage is compatible with Dark Reader.
May 10, 2019
Happy to announce that Kiwi is back on the store!
We are now over 300,000 active users.
The bad news: Background play is now disabled on YouTube (request of Google Play).
The good news: This version has better performance, new content filters, better extensions support and introduces a Diamond Black theme. The homepage is compatible with Dark Reader.
May 08, 2019
This version includes stability improvements and better extensions compatibility.
An issue with downloading PDF files has been resolved, and another issue where the extension window was sometimes connected to the incorrect tab.
You can now import .crx/.zip files and also user scripts (.user.js!) directly on chrome://extensions.
If you want to use or write your own filters, the extensions Nano Defender/Adbl# offer the best compatibility with Kiwi at the moment (according to the community).
April 18, 2019
This is the 1-year anniversary release of Kiwi Browser.
This version adds support for Extensions.
To install a new extension, go to Main Menu, and click Extensions and you'll be able to access the extension store.
Learn more at: https://www.xda-developers.com/kiwi-browser-google-chrome-extensions-android/
Feel free to share feedback and comments on Discord or by e-mail.
You can support Kiwi by sharing it with your friends, we'd love it.
April 16, 2019
This version includes the latest security improvements from Chromium (including the FileReader fix)
and also:
- Fix for homepage news
- Hindi and Chinese Traditional translation.
- Homepage loads much much much faster
- Fixed crash "Aw Snap!" that happens on some rare configurations.
- Improved stability on Xiaomi devices (GPU crashing)
- Smoother animations (yep!) and user experience.
If you have any issues feel free to send an e-mail or join
the Discord.
Thank you for sharing Kiwi!
March 06, 2019
This version includes performance and stability fixes.
Most of the changes are behind-the-scenes, this is work to optimize the core of the browser.
- Homepage loads much much much faster
- Fixed crash "Aw Snap!" that happens on some rare configurations.
- Improved stability on Xiaomi devices (GPU crashing)
- Smoother animations (yep!) and user experience.
If you have any issues feel free to send an e-mail or join
the Discord community.
Thank you for sharing Kiwi with your friends!
March 02, 2019
Introducing Reachability: (only if the bottom toolbar is enabled).
When you press the Hand icon, it brings the top of the page into reach
(page slides down).
You can enable or disable the option in Settings, Accessibility
This is similar to the iOS "Reachability" feature
+ TLS 1.3 final support
+ Faster homepage loading
+ Faster tab closing
+ Better battery usage
+ Improved ad blocker, popup blocker.
+ Added StartPage in search engines (new installs only)
Thank you for sharing Kiwi!
February 26, 2019
- Change: Slightly refreshed UI (icons / rounded corners)
- Improv: Javascript engine is 10% faster than Chromium (try on V8 Benchmark)
- Fix: Touch not taken into account (in particular at the bottom of the screen)
- Change: Night Mode is default to 100% for new installs
- Improv: 101% Night Mode is now White text with differentiated links
- Improv: Automatically follow AMP links to non-AMP version if anti-AMP is enabled
- Improv: Better memory usage
- Improv: 400KB less
and minor bugfixes
February 14, 2019
- Change: Slightly refreshed UI (icons / rounded corners)
- Improv: Javascript engine is 10% faster than Chromium (try on V8 Benchmark)
- Fix: Touch not taken into account (in particular at the bottom of the screen)
- Change: Night Mode is default to 100% for new installs
- Improv: 101% Night Mode is now White text with differentiated links
- Improv: Automatically follow AMP links to non-AMP version if anti-AMP is enabled
- Improv: Better memory usage
- Improv: 400KB less
and minor bugfixes
Allows an app to access approximate location.
Allows an app to access precise location.
Allows applications to access information about Wi-Fi networks.
Allows applications to access information about networks.
Allows applications to connect to paired bluetooth devices.
Allows applications to discover and pair bluetooth devices.
Allows an application to change the Z-order of tasks.
Allows an application to request installing packages.
Required to be able to access the camera device.
Allows access to the list of accounts in the Accounts Service.
Allows applications to open network sockets.
Allows an application to modify global audio settings.
Allows applications to perform I/O operations over NFC.
Allows an application to read from external storage.
Allows applications to read the sync settings.
Allows applications to read the sync stats.
Allows an application to receive the ACTION_BOOT_COMPLETED that is broadcast after the system finishes booting.
Allows an application to record audio.
Allows access to the vibrator.
Allows using PowerManager WakeLocks to keep processor from sleeping or screen from dimming.
Allows an application to write to external storage.
Allows applications to write the sync settings.
Kiwi Browser is made to browse the internet, read news, watch videos and listen to music, without annoyances.
Browse in peace.
Kiwi is based on Chromium and WebKit, the engine that powers the most popular browser in the world so you won't lose your habits.
We hope you'll love Kiwi as much as we do.
Note for power users and supporters: We have a Discord (chat) community where you can discuss development and share ideas: https://discordapp.com/invite/XyMppQq
Main Features:
★ Based on the very best Chromium
★ Incredible page load speed 🚀
Thanks to our very optimised rendering engine, we are able to display web pages super fast.
★ Powerful ad block that removes most of intrusive ads 🔥
(you can enable it in Settings, Ads or use any extension of your choice)
★ Super strong pop-ups blocker that really works
★ Cryptojacking protection
The first Android browser that blocks hackers from using your device to mine crypto-currency
★ Unlock Facebook Web Messenger
Go to m.facebook.com and chat with your friends without having to install FB application.
More goodness:
★ Night mode with customizable contrast and grayscale mode.
100% contrast = pure AMOLED black (actually turns off pixels) - recommended!
101% contrast = pure AMOLED black + white text
★ Bottom address bar
★ Manage websites that appear on the homepage
Long-press to move or delete the tiles, click the [+] to add a new website.
★ Disable AMP (Settings, Privacy)
★ Block annoying notifications
★ Block slow and invasive trackers to protect your privacy.
★ Translation into 60 languages.
★ Import / Export bookmarks.
★ Custom Downloads folder
Choose where your downloaded files are stored.
Note: On certain Android versions, when you uninstall an app, Android also removes your downloads.
Keep it in mind if you manipulate Kiwi (to backup bookmarks file) or transfer to another device.
★ Supports many extensions
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Advanced users:
If you want to open links with an external application, you can long-press on the link, or change the default setting in Settings, Accessibility.
To add a new search engine, go to your favorite search engine, and do a couple of searches, and then go to Settings, Search Engine.
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Kiwi Browser is very new, and still in test. Please help us by sending a little e-mail if you see crashes, bugs or just want to say Hi 😊
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Made in Estonia
