DuckDuckGo launches its browser for macOS in beta, by invitation, but very promising.
DuckDuckGo just made a long-awaited announcement. Something its users have been asking for for years: a desktop web browser. This will be available on Mac devices first, with a Windows version coming later. Until now, the DuckDuckGo browser only existed in a mobile version.
DuckDuckGo launches its browser for macOS
And as you might expect with a DuckDuckGo product, this one is built around privacy. This browser uses the DuckDuckGo search engine by default and the Smarter Encryption feature will ensure that you use the encrypted HTTPS version of sites as often as possible. There’s also a tracker blocker, email protection and the much-loved Fire Button, which closes all open tabs and clears browser data with a single click.
Other data like history, bookmarks and other passwords are also stored only on the machine by default. You can import bookmarks and passwords from other browsers and password managers.
in beta, by invitation, but very promising
DuckDuckGo explains that its browser also allows you to get rid of all these cookie management popup windows. It can manage a certain number of them automatically by refusing a maximum of tracker cookies. This feature will be available on about half of all sites when it launches. DuckDuckGo specifies that this number will increase during the beta.
In the privacy feed, you will be able to see which sites have attempted to track you. It’s also possible to clear stored data from some sites and return to recently viewed pages, with some additional protections for your privacy. DuckDuckGo also claims that its browser is fast. This uses the same rendering engine as Safari and blocks trackers before they are loaded.
The Mac browser is currently only available in beta and by invitation. To join the waitlist, you need to either download and install the DuckDuckGo mobile app or update it to the latest version. In the “More from DuckDuckGo” menu in the settings, select DuckDuckGo for Desktop and tap on “Join the Private Waitlist”. You will then receive a notification with an invite code and a link to install it on your Mac. The process is somewhat unusual, but you don’t have to provide any personal details.