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uBlock Origin Lite in Apple App Store

apps.apple.com

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Re: uBlock Origin Lite in Apple App Store

#231

Post by 8fingerlouie »

embedding-shape wrote: post #228
8fingerlouie wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you're in Europe, there's the newly launched DNS4EU project which is free for personal use, and also includes adblocking at the DNS level like NextDNS. I use it in conjunction with Adguard and secure DNS, but they also publish configuration profiles for iOS. https://www.joindns4.eu/ https://www.joindns4.eu/dns-guidelines

Woah, that looks like an great effort! Never seen before, wonder why they're not making more noise about it and/or use it for more services, probably would have come across it while poking at various EU services DNS configs if so, but haven't so far. Anyone happen to know exactly what the "Protective" option is for/does? I see there is one "Unfiltered", and lots of "Protective + Something" options, which is kind of c…

Its fairly new, as in June/July 2025, so I imagine they want to iron out the bugs before letting opening the floodgates.

If you check dns0.eu (free dns service for EU provided by the company behind NextDNS), it says they’ve closed down, and refer to DNS4EU or NextDNS.

As for what the different categories cover, they have the block lists they use linked “somewhere” on their page.

Re: uBlock Origin Lite in Apple App Store

#232

Post by bigyabai »

Citizen8396 wrote: post #226
bigyabai wrote: post #170

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> but watch out for Ublock and 1Block, which are also top App Store results. Honestly this is more of an App Store issue than an Adblock one. For all of Apple's purported talents in curation, they really cannot seem to filter out the odd trojan horses: https://blog.lastpass.com/posts/warning-fraudulent-app-imper...

There are dubious results for "uBlock" as well on browser extension stores. If it's not breaking rules (copyright violation, malware) it's precarious for companies to take action. It's obvious to me that uBlock Origin is the "correct" result, but how would a company determine that at scale? The app was removed a day after your article was posted. The app name, developer, icon, and images are all different. It's absol…

> but how would a company determine that at scale?

Two-way signature validation. Apple distributes unique developer IDs; make the dev sign the app locally before uploading it, like Google does for the Play Store. If those trojan horses still make it through Apple's manual inspection process, then they need to fire everyone working for the App Store and replace them with AI.

> If Apple aggressively took action against this with a high error rate

They need to take action. Apple's entire argument for an App Store monopoly is that they curate apps individually before they're uploaded to ensure a baseline of quality. When they stop vetting apps and allow the App Store to become like every other store, their argument in favor of monopoly control evaporates.

So yes, it would be anti-competitive censorship, but that's nothing Apple hasn't done before. The real issue is that their "premium" store interface is getting shown-up by the Google Play services. At the going rate there won't be anti-competitive behavior to complain about since Apple will be forced to accept competing storefronts - and they have no one to blame but themselves.

Re: uBlock Origin Lite in Apple App Store

#233

Post by phatskat »

FateOfNations wrote: post #206
mort96 wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder what iOS Edge does which iOS Safari doesn't do, considering both are just UIs over WebKit... Not that it matters, it's still an excellent example of stuff not working because links don't work as links anymore.

> I wonder what iOS Edge does which iOS Safari doesn't do Being a "Managed App" through MDM/Intune. Typically it's used when installing corporate apps in a BYOD scenario. The managed apps are isolated from information sharing with unmanaged apps, e.g. policies can be applied preventing copy/paste, access to Files.app, etc. It (and it's isolated storage) can also be remote wiped without nuking the whole device. Edge.a…

We have this policy at work and it’s infuriating. I had to install edge once to access some work resource and immediately uninstalled it. I can’t even access our GitHub without it, even through the official app.

Re: uBlock Origin Lite in Apple App Store

#234

Post by 8fingerlouie »

embedding-shape wrote: post #229
Rebuff5007 wrote: post #151

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you're in the EU

Tried using it from outside EU (even from outside Europe ooho) and seems to work just fine. Where are you getting the "only in the EU" from?

I wrote “if you’re in the EU” because the project only has resolvers in the EU, so accessing it from the rest of the world will likely not be worth it over local alternatives.

As for the legality, the following text is from their website:

> Yes, our DNS4EU Public Service is completely free for citizens. Although primarily intended for users within the European Union due to our infrastructure's geographic distribution, we impose no restrictions on users from other locations.

Re: uBlock Origin Lite in Apple App Store

#235

Post by phatskat »

lou1306 wrote: post #143
OGWhales wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I also love that app sizes get super bloated (several gigs per app) due to cached safari data from the in-app web view. Seems the only way to clear it is to go into settings and wipe the website data for safari entirely. I don't believe app developers can clear this themselves either, despite it appearing as their app taking up so much space when really it's just due to safari cache that seemingly doesn't clear on it…

THAT is the source for the bloat? Oh dear. Absolutely shambolic. It is embarrassing that iOS gives no way to just completely nuke an app's cache, short of reinstalling the app.

Some apps have a setting to clear data and I swear I’ve seen cached data in that before but I could be mistaken

Re: uBlock Origin Lite in Apple App Store

#236

Post by embedding-shape »

8fingerlouie wrote: post #234
embedding-shape wrote: post #229

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Tried using it from outside EU (even from outside Europe ooho) and seems to work just fine. Where are you getting the "only in the EU" from?

I wrote “if you’re in the EU” because the project only has resolvers in the EU, so accessing it from the rest of the world will likely not be worth it over local alternatives. As for the legality, the following text is from their website: > Yes, our DNS4EU Public Service is completely free for citizens. Although primarily intended for users within the European Union due to our infrastructure's geographic distribution…

Parent initially wrote "If you're in Europe" and you tried to correct them with "If you're in the EU" which is an irrelevant correction really, the revolvers are in Europe (and EU) so obviously makes sense for anyone in Europe or nearby to use it. And for others, as secondary/verification. And yes, primarily usage is obviously for Europeans/people within EU, makes sense.

Re: uBlock Origin Lite in Apple App Store

#237

Post by array_key_first »

latexr wrote: post #215
array_key_first wrote: post #201

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This sounds like a fantastic way to get phished.

That makes no sense. Are you getting phished from clicking a link someone you know posted in your internal company Slack? And use a password manager , those make sure the domain is correct.

Every app and their mom uses the webview bullshit - it's not just your work slack.

Now you're logging into the same thing in multiple different places. Obviously, the odds of you getting phished go up significantly.

Re: uBlock Origin Lite in Apple App Store

#239

Post by johnisgood »

teekert wrote: post #220
johnisgood wrote: post #219

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Right. My problem is that we have to pay to not see ads (which enables them to show ads unless paid), or we do not pay and we see ads, but ultimately in either case we are paying for ads or because of ads, which means ads are going to stay here forever.

Ok, but what is the alternative?

Collectively not using the service, but I know it is just a dream. For the time being, adblockers and not paying for ads is a start?

Re: uBlock Origin Lite in Apple App Store

#240

Post by lou1306 »

phatskat wrote: post #235
lou1306 wrote: post #143

Earlier quoted context omitted.

THAT is the source for the bloat? Oh dear. Absolutely shambolic. It is embarrassing that iOS gives no way to just completely nuke an app's cache, short of reinstalling the app.

Some apps have a setting to clear data and I swear I’ve seen cached data in that before but I could be mistaken

I know they do, but the effectiveness of these "clear data" settings varies wildly and it's mildly infuriating. For instance, in my experience Telegram's works pretty well, X's not at all.
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