Why Apple's Browser Engine Stronghold is Cracking Under Global Pressure

Reviewed by Corey Noles The writing is on the wall for Apple's iOS browser dominance, and it's being written by regulatory bodies worldwide. For over a decade, Apple has maintained an iron grip on iPhone web browsing by forcing every browser—Chrome, Firefox, Edge, whatever—to use Safari's WebKit engine under the hood. But that's about to change, whether Apple likes it or not. Multiple governments are now demanding Apple open up iOS to third-party browser engines, with enforcement deadlines looming throughout 2025. From the EU's Digital Markets Act to the UK's new Strategic Market Status framework, regulators are essentially telling Apple: play fair or face penalties worth billions. Sound familiar? It's the same pattern we've seen with app store policies, but this time the stakes feel even higher. The European Commission designated Apple as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act on September 6, 2023, specifically targeting iOS, Safari, and the App Store. The UK's Competition and Mar