In Brave on iOS, with “Private Browsing Only” enabled, every time you launch the Brave app, it opens in Private Browsing mode, as expected.
But sometimes if you tap on web links in other apps, Brave loads those links in normal mode and not Private Browsing mode. This issue has only started happening recently, previously I didn’t have this issue at all.
It’s also not happening 100% of the time. It’s happening a lot with NetNewsWire and Google Maps links for me.
How can this issue be reproduced?
Go to Settings → Brave Shields & Privacy and enable “Private Browsing Only”
Set Brave as the default browser (so other apps will load links you tap on in Brave and not Safari)
Open a web link in another app. In my case I’ve experienced it with NetNewsWire and Google Maps links.
Expected result:
The expected result is that Brave will load the link you tapped on in Private Browsing mode, but it loads it regular mode insteadl
Brave Version( check About Brave):
Version 1.73 (97)
So: Allow Paste from Other Apps, and Private Browsing Only mode, are enabled . . .
But, Either a (Private Browsing Only) Private Window or a non-Private Window (as if NO Private Browsing Only), will get the task of going to the URL address of interest.
Do you think that the inconsistancy of occurrence versus consistant websites: NetNewsWire and Google Maps, might depend upon the Brave Browser Shields settings?
Sounds like a puzzle for Brave developers, and @Mattches.
To replicate, follow @mstgrv’s instructions, BUT browser needs to be completely closed. You will not be able to replicate this issue if:
Brave browser is open: at least one Private Browsing tab open, even if app is minimized
Brave browser is open: playing music/video from “Playlist,” even if app is minimized, but was opened in Private Browsing mode
Same issue here. Problem started within the last 2-3 Brave browser updates, and I am confident this is not an iOS issue since I have an old iOS version, but have kept up with Brave updates.
@MattchesBrave Team: Please kindly fix this issue in your next release!!!
@mstgrv explained the issue perfectly. In summary, “Private Browsing Only” mode used to open external links from apps like Mail, Maps, etc. in “Private Browsing” mode, purple theme.
Starting with the last 2-3 Brave releases something changed. Now external links will open in regular browsing mode (non-Private Only mode), black theme, if the Brave app is completely closed.
You’re da best - thank you @Mattches! I love this app on my iOS.
If this topic should be reserved for a new post, feel free to let me know:
But I also use the Brave app on Android OS devices. I have noticed the “Private Browsing Only” mode doesn’t work like it does in the iOS device. Is this a known issue without planned resolution?
For example, in order to browse in private mode on my Android device, I had to create a shortcut on my home screen to launch a “Private Browsing” session. Otherwise, anytime I open the Brave app on my Android device, it defaults to normal browsing mode.
Similarly to the main subject of this thread, anytime I open links from external apps, i.e.: Gmail, Google Maps, etc., the Brave browser app will open a new tab in the normal browsing mode, regardless of whether the app is closed, or open with an active tab in Private Browsing mode.