Firefox Gains 6 Million Users Since EU Browser Choice Screen Rules Took Effect

Since 2024, Firefox has gained 6 million users, mainly due to browser choice screens introduced under the EU Digital Markets Act, according to data from The Register. Other independent browsers such as DuckDuckGo, Opera, Vivaldi, and Aloha have also experienced growth following the same regulatory change.

The Digital Markets Act mandates that gatekeepers like Apple and Google display alternative browser options to users on new devices through dedicated selection screens, rather than exclusively promoting their own browsers.

Where Firefox’s New Users Are Coming From

Firefox has experienced a 113% rise in users within Apple's ecosystem, including iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. In contrast, the increase among Android users has been only 12%. Mozilla explains the difference by how each operating system handles browser selection.

When iPhone and iPad users open Safari for the first time, they see the browser choice screen, making the selection part of their usual experience. On Android devices, the selection screen appears only during initial setup or after a factory reset, which means fewer users encounter it during regular use.

How Browser Choice Screens Are Shaking Up Competition

DuckDuckGo has reported a 40% increase in browser usage on Android since the introduction of the choice screens. Opera, Vivaldi, and Aloha have also seen growth, although specific numbers have not been disclosed.

The browser choice screens are currently available only in the European Union. Mozilla and DuckDuckGo are advocating for similar requirements to be introduced in the United Kingdom. Both organizations see this regulatory approach as essential for challenging the dominance of preinstalled defaults on mobile devices.

Why Mobile Browser Gains Matter on Desktop

Mobile devices now make up more than half of internet traffic. The increased use of independent browsers on phones and tablets helps ensure that these browsers remain relevant on desktops as well, thanks to brand recognition, user accounts, and bookmarks syncing across devices. Mobile usage also influences desktop browsing patterns, even for users who initially discovered browsers through the phone.

Firefox currently has roughly 3% of the global browser market. The additional 6 million users are a notable rise from a low baseline but do not significantly alter the competitive landscape, which is still dominated by Chrome worldwide.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Firefox Gains 6 Million Users Since EU Browser Choice Screen Rules Took Effect appeared first on gHacks.