Cloudflare Cache Loop

Browser Support Mobile Support
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Description of the issue:
Cloudflare captcha fails or loops endlessly on sites when using Brave mobile on iOS. Issue first noticed 04/22/2025.

How can this issue be reproduced?

  1. Use standard Brave shield settings on iOS.
  2. Attempt to access services on a site with cloudflare. An easy test is at the following link:

https://2captcha.com/demo/cloudflare-turnstile-challenge

Expected result:
Captcha verification should be successful when proving that you are human, and not loop endlessly.

Brave Version( check About Brave):
Version 1.77 (99)

Mobile Device details
iOS 18.4.1 (22E252)

Additional Information:

  1. Cloudflare verification is sometimes successful when using WiFi, but always fails when on cellular network (not connected to WiFi).
  2. VPN seems to have no effect, on or off.
  3. Turning Brave shields OFF will allow Cloudflare verification to succeed.
  4. Turning off fingerprint blocking seems to have no effect.
  5. Leaving Brave shields ON, but setting “Trackers & Ads Blocking” to DISABLED will allow Cloudflare verification to succeed.
  6. The issue seems to primarily be caused by having “ Trackers & Ads Blocking” set to STANDARD or AGGRESSIVE.
  7. This issue did not exist (for me) prior to this week.
  8. Deleting and reinstalling Brave did not solve the issue.
1 Like
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@QuasarProton25

Thanks for the detailed post.

I found that the Cloudflare Robot Cops would keep the Brave Browser (iOS) user in a loop “jail” when using Brave Search Engine Operators - like news site:ie for search criteria.

IF I set “Trackers & Ads Blocking” to Standard (instead of Aggressive) then I usually(?) manage to avoid the hassle - using Brave Search.

In my humble opinion, using Brave Browser and Brave Search, should not get Brave-Cloudflare interference.

1 Like
3

Fascinating,

I found some success with your approach. If I use Brave Search to look up the site I need to use, then it will pass the Cloudflare verification; However, if I click a favorite or shortcut, or I know the URL address to the site that I want (bypassing Brave Search), I will run into issues with Cloudflare.

This didn’t used to be the case, but this is at least effective for now.