Samsung Internet
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Developer(s) | Samsung Electronics |
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Operating system | Android, Tizen, Wear OS, and Windows |
Type | Web browser |
Website | Official website |
Samsung Internet Browser (or simply Samsung Internet or S Browser[1]) is a desktop and mobile web browser developed by Samsung Electronics, based on the open-source Chromium project. It comes pre-installed on Samsung Galaxy devices and, since 2015, has been available for download from Google Play[2][3] for all Android devices.
Samsung estimated that it had around 400 million monthly active users in 2016. According to StatCounter, it had a market share of around 5.06% (among 69.37% for all Chrome variants) in January 2023.[4]
In November 2023, Samsung Internet was released on Microsoft Windows via the Microsoft Store. Its Windows release is currently unavailable, having been inexplicably removed from the Microsoft Store in January 2024.[5]
Engine
![]() | This section needs to be updated.(October 2023) |
Around early 2013, it was decided to base the browser on Chromium, and the first Chromium-based version was shipped with the Samsung Galaxy S4 model later that year.[6]
Most of the code differences to the standard Chromium code base were introduced in order to support Samsung-specific hardware, such as Gear VR and biometric sensors.[7][8]
Features
- Content blocking extensions[9]
- Gear VR and DeX integration[10]
- KNOX Support
- Tabbed browsing with up to 99 tabs, where opening the 100th tab closes the earliest tab.[11]
- Bookmark Synchronization
- Ad Blocking
- Reading Mode
- Saved Pages
- "Secret mode" and biometric authentication[12] (unavailable in Knox-tripped devices, which is disabled by eFuse hardware upon unlocking the bootloader[13])
- Secure Web Auto Login
- S Pen features
- Find on pages
- Support for service workers and Push API
- Dark Mode
- Customize Menu
- Video Assistant
- QR code scanner
- Smart anti tracking
The Saved Pages feature has been criticized for lack of data portability, due to the pages being stored in a locked directory from which they can not be exported and backed up by the user.[15][16]
Support
![]() | This section needs to be updated.(October 2023) |
The later version (v6.2) of Samsung Internet for Android supports all Android 5.0 and above phones.[17]
Previously, (v5.0) Samsung Internet for Android was only supported on Samsung Galaxy and Google Nexus phones with Android 5.0 and above.[18]
Version history
This section is missing information about version information prior to Chromium.(July 2023) |
Samsung Internet replaced the stock Android browser as the default on Samsung Galaxy devices in 2012.[19]
Version | Based upon | Release date | New features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
3.0 | Chromium 38 | Quick Access, Navigation Page, Shortcut Promotion Banner, Audio Notification, Data Saving Mode[20] | ||
4.0 | Chromium 44 | early 2016 | secret mode, content cards, a floating video, a video history feature, web push, service workers, custom tabs, and a content blocker extension.[21][22] | |
4.2 | Chromium 44 | October 4, 2016 | Iris Scanner Support in Secret Mode and Web Auto Login, Web Content Provider Extension, QR Code reader, Video Assistant, 360° Video Support[23] | |
5.0 | Chromium 51 | December 16, 2016 | web payment and an enhanced video assistant.[24][25] | |
5.2 | Chromium 51 | February, 2017 | Samsung Dex Support, CloseBy, Web Payment-Deep integration with Samsung Pay, Progressive Web App indication badge[26] | |
5.4 | Chromium 51 | Beta March 2017[27] Stable May 2017[28] |
tab navigation with a swipe gesture, a quick menu, an enhanced navigation page (China only), and a content blocker status UI (in menu).[29] | |
6.0 | Chromium 56 | September 8, 2017 | ||
6.2 | Chromium 56 | October 30, 2017 | high contrast mode and night mode.[30][31] | |
6.4 | Chromium 56 | February 19, 2018 | download manager and enabled Web Bluetooth by default.[32][33] | |
7.0 | Chromium 59 | March 7, 2018 | ||
7.2 | Chromium 59 | June 7, 2018 | WebGL2, Intersection Observer, Web Assembly and Protected Browsing.[34] | |
7.4 | Chromium 59 | August 19, 2018 | authentication with Intelligent Scan, a customised Reader Mode and Download History improvements.[35] | |
8.0 | Chromium 63 | August, 2018 | ||
8.2 | Chromium 63 | December 21, 2018 | improved Download Manager, an improved Reader Mode, bug fixes and stabilization, and quick access sync via Smart Switch.[36] | |
9.0 | Chromium 67 | February 20, 2019 | One UI support[37] | |
9.2 | Chromium 67 | April 2, 2019 | removed the "video assistant" extension that was added in previous versions as a "quick menu", adding a redesigned app icon, a further redesigned user interface and respective one-handedness, Smart Anti-Tracking, an option to turn on Save All Images, as well as bug fixes and stabilization. | |
9.2.10.15 | Chromium 67 | May 19, 2019 | a +10 and -10 sec seek function for YouTube web videos, optimized RAM usage, and fixed two bugs affecting Dark Mode and the Iris auto login in DeX Mode. | |
9.4 | Chromium 67 | July 22, 2019 | a QR Code reader, a Tab manager for tablet devices, a Notification manager for Web pushes, History navigation in each tab, video autoplay control, a Rename function while doing "add to home screen", and a Pause/Resume function for "Save all images", in addition to bug fixes and stabilization.[38] | |
10.0 | Chromium 71 | August, 2019 | ||
10.1.00.27 | Chromium 71 | September 8, 2019 | Quick Access data synchronization and an even furthered refined user interface, and including bug fixes and stabilization. | |
10.1.01.3 | Chromium 71 | October 3, 2019 | fixed bugs affecting mirroring in Bookmarks, History and Saved pages for right-to-left languages and refined the user interface again. | |
10.2.00.53 | Chromium 71 | November 24, 2019 | Video assistant, a Contact us icon, a feature which allows which apps use Samsung Internet, a customizable menu, a renewed Tab manager, a once again refined user interface, an improved high contrast mode and bug fixes and stabilizations.[39] | |
10.2.01.10 | Chromium 71 | January 14, 2020 | an optional Picture-In-Picture video, fingerprint-enabled Easy sign-in in Samsung DeX stand-alone mode, an enhanced scroll capture and fixes crashes caused by certain conditions. | |
11.0 | Chromium 75 | February, 2020 | One UI 2.0 support, Credential Management API support, Browser Extensions (which require Android Marshmallow or later and a Galaxy Store account)[40] | |
11.1.1.52 | Chromium 75 | February 25, 2020 | A redesigned Go to Top button and UI, Quick access, bug fixes and stabilization, and improving performance. | |
11.2 | Chromium 75 | March 1, 2020 | Smart protection, Support for more buttons in Customize menu, Increase max number of open tabs to 99, Additional search engines, Address & card sync via Samsung Pass, News notifications (India and China), Usability enhancements for tablet devices[41] | |
12.0.1.47 | Chromium 79 | June 19, 2020 | Open links in secret mode from the context menu, more password manager apps are allowed to autofill ID and passwords, and stability and security improvements.[42] | |
13.0.1.64 | Chromium 83 | November 19, 2020 | Hide status bar option for Infinity Display, Enhanced Smart Protection, Additional gesture support in Video Assistant[43] | |
14.0.1.62 | Chromium 87 | Beta March 2021[44] Stable April 17, 2021 |
Security Control Panel for Enhanced Privacy, Apply device font settings to web pages (in Labs), Enhanced Smart Anti-Tracking (v3.0)[45] | |
15.0.2.47 | Chromium 90[46] | Beta July 2021[47]
Stable August 28, 2021 |
Introduce Smart Protection, a technology to protect users against fingerprinting. Quick Search and Fast Navigation to make it easier to search for information from the home screen. WebXR Lighting Estimation API. | |
16.0.2.19 | Chromium 92 |
Stable November 26, 2021[48] |
||
17.0.6.9 | Chromium 96 |
Stable June 14, 2022[49] |
||
18.0 | Chromium 99 | Beta June 28, 2022[50] Stable August 6, 2022 |
Toolbar customization, CNAME Cloaking Protection | |
19.0 | Chromium 102 | Beta August 23, 2022[51] Stable November 1, 2022 |
WebXR Incubations | |
20.0 | Chromium 106 | Beta Dec 20, 2022 Stable February 19, 2023 |
Bookmarks folder search | |
21.0 | Chromium 110 | Beta April 18, 2023[52] | ||
22.0 | Chromium 111 | Stable July 14, 2023 | ||
23.0 | Chromium 115 | Stable October 18, 2023[53] | Increased number of days of History saved, support of URL auto-complete in address bar, new support for syncing tab groups | |
24.0 | Chromium 117 |
References
- ^ "Samsung Internet Browser – Apps bei Google Play". play.google.com (in German).
- ^ "Introducing Samsung Internet v6.2 stable". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Get Samsung's Internet Browser on Almost Any Android Device". Gadget Hacks. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Mobile Browser Market Share Worldwide". StatCounter. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
- ^ Beri, Devesh (2024-01-15). "Samsung's browser 'Internet' mysteriously taken off the Microsoft Store". MSPoweruser. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "Samsung Internet browser will get "Smart Go Next" for better form navigation, also coming to Chrome". Android Police. 10 October 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Overview for Gear VR". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ "Samsung Internet for Gear VR Update Makes Browsing More Immersive". Samsung Newsroom. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ "Samsung is now allowing users to install ad blockers on its phones". BGR. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Samsung Internet for Gear VR Overview". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Samsung Galaxy S6 Browser öffnet kein neues Tab – Limit von 50 erreicht". Spickipedia - Viel Interessantes auf die Schnelle gespickt (in German). Archived from the original on 2020-12-06. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
- ^ "Samsung Internet 4.0 rolling out to older Galaxy devices and variants running Lollipop". 9to5Google. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "eFuse & Root-Blockade – Sicherheit bei Samsung KNOX". All About Samsung (in German). 23 October 2013.
- ^ "Samsung Internet - Build". Samsung Developers.
- ^ "samsung galaxy s 3 - Where are saved pages stored?". Android Enthusiasts Stack Exchange. 2012-10-15.
- ^ "Regarding saved webpages". Samsung Developers Forum. 23 June 2020.
- ^ "Samsung Internet v6.2 is Now Stable, Adds Night Mode, Tracking Blocker and More". XDA Developers. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Announcing Samsung Internet 5.0". Medium. 23 December 2016. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Samsung Internet Overview". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Samsung Internet Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ "Samsung Internet for Android 4.0 Release Note". Samsung Newsroom. Archived from the original on 2017-11-04. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Samsung Internet 4.0 and Cross App Boost Functionality for Galaxy Devices with Android 6.0 Marshmallow Update". Samsung Newsroom. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Samsung Internet Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ "Samsung Internet for Android 5.0 Release Note". Samsung Developers. Archived from the original on 2017-11-04. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Announcing Samsung Internet 5.0". Medium. 23 December 2016. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Samsung Internet Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ "Samsung Internet Beta now available without sign up". Medium. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Announcing Samsung Internet v5.4 stable!". Medium. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Samsung Internet for Android 5.4 Release Note". Samsung Developers. Archived from the original on 2017-11-04. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Samsung Internet for Android 6.2 Release Note". Samsung Developers. Archived from the original on 2017-11-04. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Samsung Internet v6.2 Now Stable!". Medium. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Samsung Internet for Android 6.4 Release Note". Samsung Developers. Archived from the original on 2017-11-04. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
- ^ "Let's connect with Samsung Internet v6.4 stable!". Medium. 19 February 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
- ^ "7.2 Stable is Here!". Medium. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
- ^ "Samsung Internet 7.4 is stable—let's check-out what's new". Medium. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
- ^ "8.2 Stable Release is out the Door". Medium. 21 December 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-30.
- ^ "Samsung Internet Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ "9.4 is Here!". Medium. 25 July 2019. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
- ^ "Samsung Internet 10.2 Beta". Medium. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
- ^ "Samsung Internet Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ "Samsung Internet Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ "Samsung Internet for Android 12 Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
- ^ "Samsung Internet for Android 13 Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
- ^ "Introducing Samsung Internet 14.0 Beta". Medium. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
- ^ "Samsung Internet for Android 14 Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
- ^ "Samsung Internet 15 update brings a new widget and updated Chromium engine". XDA Developers. 16 August 2021. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ "Samsung Internet 15.0 Beta Has Arrived". Samsung Mobile Press | Samsung Mobile press Official website. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
- ^ "Samsung Internet Browser | Latest Version 16.0".
- ^ "Samsung Internet 17.0 Puts Privacy and Security Front and Center".
- ^ Appelquist, Daniel (2022-06-28). "18.0 Beta: Enhanced Privacy, Enhanced UI". Samsung Internet Developers. Retrieved 2022-06-28.
- ^ "Samsung Internet 19.0 Beta is Now Available".
- ^ Im, Dongwoo (2023-04-18). "Samsung Internet v21.0 Beta : Enhanced customization for your convenience". Samsung Internet Developers. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
- ^ Joshua Im, Dongwoo (22 February 2024). "Samsung Internet v23.0 Stable, coming with enhanced security and convenience". Medium.