How to properly download a browser to your phone: photo review

Lightning Browser

Lightning Browser is one of the lightest web browsers for Android.
The installation file of this browser weighs only 2.5 MB, which is several tens of times less than that of its competitors. After installation, “Molniya” occupies only 6.43 MB of device memory (excluding cache and temporary files). For comparison, Chrome needs at least 143 MB, and Edge needs a whopping 263 MB. Lightning Browser is not only lightweight, but also very fast - thanks to its unique prioritization technology. When a page loads, the browser first draws elements that carry important information: HTML markup, text, images, and then begins loading the remaining elements.

Key features of Lightning:

• Powerful reading mode on sites that support this technology.
• Built-in intrusive ad blocker.
• Advanced privacy settings that allow you to enable automatic deletion of logs and blocking of cookies.
• Display settings for customizing the interface.

This browser also does not support playing Flash elements and does not work on Android TV - only on mobile devices.

How to find the browser on your phone

On a mobile phone, the browser will be available on the desktop after installation. It can also be found in the applications section.

To set up application history and activity tracking, you must follow these instructions:

• On the smartphone, open the settings and then select your browser;
• Find the Data and personalization section;
• Next, go to the Action Tracking section. Here you need to select Application and web search history;
• Enable or disable the Application and Web Search History setting;
• If application history is activated, the user can save a history of all actions performed in the browser. In the history you can view which sites were opened on a given day. You can also activate a special option to save voice requests and commands.

Some browsers and some mobile devices may have additional features that affect activity tracking. You can view all available functions in settings.

Kiwi

Kiwi is a powerful browser that, like many others, runs on the Chromium engine. Outwardly, it is very similar to Google Chrome, but, unlike its brother, it supports installing extensions from the official store.

Key features of the Kiwi browser:

• A large selection of search engines, there is even the confidential DuckDuckGo.
• Gesture control.
• Built-in ad blocker with the ability to add exceptions.
• Support for different design options.
• Night theme with separate settings for comfortable viewing.
• Reading mode on sites that support it.
• Options to control the browser with one hand.

Kiwi only works on mobile devices; it does not have full support for Android TV. There is also no flash player, but the latter can be installed from the extension store.

One of the disadvantages of Kiwi is the lack of a built-in traffic saving function, which is available in Google Chrome.

Vivaldi Beta

Vivaldi Beta is a new browser for Android, which is still in beta testing, but is already pleased with its stable operation and good functionality.
The developers called security and privacy the main mission of this product, since the browser does not track user actions. The result is “Mozilla Firefox” on the Google engine, which you can guess at one glance at the interface. Vivaldi Beta is available only on mobile devices; unfortunately, it cannot be installed on Android TV.

Key features of mobile Vivaldi:

• Synchronization of user data between different devices through a single account.
• Fast loading of sites and saving traffic in simplified browsing mode.
• Separate privacy settings: prohibit tracking, collect information for search suggestions, preload pages, etc.
• Automatic switch to dark theme when power saving mode is turned on.
• Supports a large number of search engines.

Like other mobile browsers running on the Chromium engine, Vivaldi Beta does not support playing Flash elements by default. It has an ad blocker in its settings, but it only disables particularly intrusive ads.

What is a browser for?

This program is necessary for full use of the Internet. It allows you to solve a number of problems.

1. Allows you to read texts.
2. Download various files.
3. Exchange information with other users.
4. View videos and photos.
5. Listen to audio files.

Browsers have slightly different functionality. Depending on the type of program, there may be a number of additional features. For example, logging into websites via VPN, as well as individual settings.

Review of popular browsers

The Internet browser on a smartphone is as functional as PC programs. The only difference is that such applications are written for the OS for mobile devices running on Android, iOS and others. Therefore, working in such a browser is only available from a mobile phone or tablet. Let's look at the list of the most popular browsers.

Dolphin

This application is designed for smartphones running Android OS and iPhones. The program has advanced functionality, fast synchronization, the ability to control gestures, work with a flash player and much more. The application has a simple interface, high loading speed and an incognito mode. The only drawback is that you need to use the full version of the program; there is simply no mobile option.

Firefox

This is a common browser used by many users. It supports HTML5 synchronization and allows you to use multiple panels at the same time. Using this program, you can send videos to TV and at the same time be confident in reliable protection against viruses. There are quick links to common social networks. There is one significant drawback - sometimes large pages freeze, especially if they are loaded at the same time.

Google Chrome

This is a very fast and convenient browser for smartphones, which is used by more than 1 million people around the world. There is support for HTML5 format, online synchronization and an option to save data. There are no restrictions on the number of open tabs. The developers have provided a high level of security for the transmitted data. There is also a drawback - there are very few additional options.

Opera Mini

Just a few years ago, this browser was very popular among users, as it allowed them to open even large pages. Today it is one of the fastest web explorers, which provides integrated protection, fast data saving and night mode. There is also a function for saving news. Disadvantage: limited number of fine settings.

UC Browser

This browser is available for all mobile devices. It uses page compression using proxy servers. The program adapts to the conditions of different networks and supports multi-downloading files of various formats. There is HTML5 support and a cloud synchronization function. The disadvantage is that the maximum number of open tabs is no more than 20.

Almost all users understand why a browser is needed on a smartphone and have an idea of ​​its functions. This is not at all surprising, since every year more and more people prefer to search for the necessary information on the Internet via a smartphone. When choosing a suitable web service, you should look at its characteristics and be sure to pay attention to its shortcomings.

There are many browsers for smartphones, they all differ in functionality and interface. Many users get used to one web service on their PC and then install it on their smartphone or tablet. If necessary, you can change the settings and make the default browser. After that, all links will open in it.

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How to use

For inexperienced users, it is not only important to find and install a browser that is convenient for them, they also need to figure out how to work with it. All web explorers differ in interface and have their own characteristics. Let's look at the most popular browsers.

1. Opera. There are navigation buttons at the top left, then there is an address bar and next to it is a column for the search engine itself. If you click on the + icon, a new tab appears, which allows you to go to a new page. Using the navigation buttons, you can move forward and back, and also refresh the page if necessary. On the right there is a scale control.
2. Mozilla Firefox. The interface here is very similar. At the top of the page there is a menu bar with tabs underneath. A little lower on the left and right there is an address entry window and a search line. Near the address entry line there are navigation buttons. At the very bottom there is an add-ons panel. New tabs also open when you click the + icon.
3. Internet Explorer. This program is very similar to the previous two. At the very top there are address entry lines and a search line. Below the search bar there is an icon for opening new tabs. There is a zoom control in the lower right corner.
4. Google Chrome. There are tabs at the top of the page. A little lower you can find a column where entering an address and a search engine are combined. To the left of this line there are control buttons, to the right is the entrance to the menu, which looks like three vertical dots.

We must not forget that developers are constantly improving their products and periodically releasing more modern versions of browsers. Due to this, some things in the program interface may change, but the operating principle itself remains unchanged.

All browsers have a great interface. This allows even beginners to quickly understand the nuances of using programs and fully use the Internet.

Tor

Tor is the only official browser supported by the Tor Project developers.
It is a powerful tool that provides the user with almost maximum privacy online. With Tor, you not only protect your personal data, but also get the opportunity to open sites that are blocked in regular browsers. Google Play doesn't have a dedicated version of Tor for Android TV, but you can install it on your TV from third-party sources. The browser for TV has the same functionality as for a smartphone.

Key features of the mobile Tor browser:

• Support for “onion” access technology, replacing the user’s real IP address.
• Advanced privacy settings.
• Traffic saving mode that allows you to disable automatic downloading of images.
• Constant monitoring of connection speed.
• HTTPS Everywhere feature to encrypt all sites.
• Prohibition on taking screenshots in the browser.

Tor is not suitable for constant web surfing. Rather, it is needed as a second browser that can be launched to visit blocked sites. Onion routing technology significantly reduces the connection speed, which greatly affects the ease of use, but for the sake of privacy you have to sacrifice comfort.

How to download and install the browser

You can download the program from the official application store. Such programs are distributed free of charge. To find the application you need, you need to enter its name into the search bar, then a list appears on the screen from which you need to select the appropriate option.

If an installed application receives an update, the program prompts you to install it. In addition, you can independently update your browser to the latest version, if available.

If the latest version of the program is installed on your smartphone, then the Play Store will have an Open button instead of an Update button.

How to set the default browser on Android

Setting the default browser on your Android smartphone is easy. To do this, you must follow these instructions:

• Open a new tab in the desired browser;
• Find the menu icon in the upper right corner, it looks like three vertical dots. If there is no such icon on the screen, then press the menu button located on the smartphone itself;
• Next, a list appears in which you need to select Default Browser.

Depending on the smartphone model and the program used, the sequence of actions may be slightly different, but the principle does not change.

Puffin

Puffin is a cross-platform browser available on Android and Android TV. Its main feature is support for Flash Player. Thanks to this, you can run Flash elements on mobile versions of sites in the same way as on a desktop - for example, games from social networks.

Key features of Puffin:

• Automatically encrypts connections to Wi-Fi networks.
• Built-in traffic saving system.
• Accelerate the display of web pages by transferring the load to cloud servers.
• Full support for the latest version of Flash Player.
• Virtual touchpad with mouse and gamepad simulation.

In the free version of the browser, video advertisements periodically appear when you click on links. To disable it, there is a Pro version, which costs 389 rubles. It also added an ad blocker that removes banners on websites.

Puffin is a browser for entertainment. It does not provide synchronization with other devices, and passwords are stored in the phone's memory. This application is demanding on the gadget's resources: it consumes a lot of RAM and eats up the battery noticeably faster than other browsers. But Puffin uses the best traffic saving algorithm. Compression efficiency - 75%. For comparison, Google Chrome's figure is 60%, and Yandex.Browser's is 58%.