Apps
DuckDuckGo on Mac is now in beta
The DuckDuckGo browser for Mac is now available in beta. The search company previously announced its intention to launch a desktop browser in December 2021.
It’s unsurprising that privacy is prioritized in DuckDuckGo for Mac, which is powered by the company’s private search engine. The program is marketed as being created for security and privacy by default, since it has a built-in ad blocker, a tracker blocker to disable scripts, and HTTPS Upgrading, which requires websites to load their private gateway.
The browser has a Privacy Feed that displays a list of websites that have attempted to monitor you (and were blocked). Embedded material that is prohibited on pages (for example, Facebook trackers) will display a banner informing viewers that trackers have been disabled, and users can see them if necessary.
Additionally, DuckDuckGo for Mac has an automated cookie pop-up management system that minimizes cookies to preserve your privacy and closes unwanted pop-ups that appear on websites. This approach is now functional on around 50% of sites and will be enhanced over the beta test.
The desktop version preserves the mobile app’s Fire button, which deletes all your browser data with a single click. Similarly, it provides Email protection, which is an email alias service that conceals your genuine email address and automatically passes messages to your normal inbox. Users may import bookmarks and passwords from other browsers and services such as Safari, Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and 1Password and LastPass. DuckDuckGo claims it is working on integrating password management into its mobile apps and will allow private password and bookmark syncing across devices.
What engine is used by DuckDuckGo for Mac?
It is not a Chromium fork. Under the hood, the engine makes use of Apple Safari’s Webkit renderer. DuckDuckGo says that its browser, which it created from the ground up using just the WKWebView API, outperforms Chrome in several visual performance metrics and consumes 60% less data by blocking trackers before they load.
Extensions are not currently supported by DuckDuckGo on Mac. According to the introduction, the most popular browser extensions are ad blockers and password managers, and the business claims that the app’s built-in capabilities would accommodate both needs. The browser’s source code is not currently accessible; it will be released open source following the beta phase.
DuckDuckGo browser for Mac features:
- Management of cookie pop-up windows automatically
- Based on the Webkit rendering engine seen in Apple Safari
- Management of Bookmarks
- Integrated ad blocker and tracker blocker
- Email Security
- To destroy all data in a single click, use the Fire button.
- Upgrade to HTTPS
- Password manager with the ability to import passwords from other services
Gabriel Weinberg, the CEO and Founder of DuckDuckGo, responded to many questions from Twitter users. He acknowledged that the corporation is examining add-on support options. The browser’s Windows version is now being developed concurrently with the Mac version and will be launched later this year. Weinberg also stated that a Linux version is in the works, but is not actively being developed at the time.
How to sign up for the DuckDuckGo browser for Mac beta program
You will need to sign up for a waitlist to try the app, and get an invitation code.
- Download the DuckDuckGo mobile app on your iPhone or Android mobile.
- Tap the Settings button.
- Scroll down to the “More from DuckDuckGo” section.
- You should see the DuckDuckGo Desktop App option. Tap the “Join the Private Waitlist” button to opt in to the beta program.
- The app will display a notification with an invite code (when a slot is available), and a link to download the browser on your Mac.
