For those of you who use Google app (basically a very large majority of users), you may know that every link you open using the Google app actually opens them in Google Chrome browser. The Android WebView component powered by Chrome, in this case, actually stores all cookies, cache, history and other temp files in the Chrome browser.
I wanted to change this behaviour because Chrome doesn't offer an automatic or easy way to clear all those temp files. Over time, this can result in Chrome browser storing huge amounts of temp files, which makes 3rd party tracking even easier. Also, dark mode support on Chrome is very basic and relies on the implementation of individual websites.
Google app allows you to change/ switch the link opening feature under its Settings, so you can use another browser (the Default browser) to open all links from Google app.
Initially, I switched to Firefox Focus which provides a one click erase feature to erase everything. But I didn't like the UI, especially for this purpose because each time it would look like I am launching another app (which I was doing though). I wanted a more seamless experience with a UI that was similar to WebView.
So i switched to DuckDuckGo Browser. But this browser has the same problem with Dark Mode as Chrome. I hate having to switch between websites in dark mode and those in light mode continuously. There has to be consistency, especially since such constant switching will be strainful to the eyes.
Then I switched to Brave Browser. This too did not have the automatic history deletion feature, although it is better than Chrome in atleast two aspects:
1. Exit button that allows you to close the browser and delete everything automatically.
2. Universal dark mode support.
But still not the ideal solution.
Then I tried Bromite Browser. While this allows a default incognito mode setting, it had the same problem with dark mode as Chrome and DDG.
After trying out a couple of other browsers, i finally came to Via Browser. This is a browser that I have used long time back, but for some reason that I don't remember now, I stopped using it. I was very impressed then, and just as impressed today too.
This browser kind of looks like the perfect default browser for the following reasons:
1. Has a default incognito mode.
2. Universal dark mode support.
3. UI is extremely clean and simple.
4. The smallest browser with the least footprint. Extremely lightweight.
5. One/ Two click erase feature, same as Exit button above.
6. Adblock support
But there is a catch: Privacy Policy.
Despite the uncomfortable privacy policy, this is the best browser I found for casual browsing activity. I won't be using their cloud feature or login to any of my accounts using this browser. But for the problem that i was trying to solve, this is indeed the best solution yet.
Let me know if you know a better browser that fulfills the 6 requirements mentioned above.
UNIVERSAL DARK MODE
When theSystem is using Dark Mode:
Google App
Clicking on the 1st link with Chrome as Default browser:
Clicking on the 1st link with Via as Default browser:
Universal Dark Mode means like this?
I don't want to use Chrome because of other reasons too that i mentioned in OP.
But even with Force Dark Mode enabled, it leaves the blank ad spaces in white. Check it out:
Chrome
But see how it is in Via:
MOST IMPORTANTLY, FORCE DARK MODE OVERRIDES SYSTEM THEME. SO WHEN MY SYSTEM USES LIGHT MODE, CHROME CONTINUES TO USE DARK MODE!
But even with Force Dark Mode enabled, it leaves the blank ad spaces in white. Check it out:
Chrome
But see how it is in Via:
MOST IMPORTANTLY, FORCE DARK MODE OVERRIDES SYSTEM THEME. SO WHEN MY SYSTEM USES LIGHT MODE, CHROME CONTINUES TO USE DARK MODE!
