Praxis News for iOS

Product Introduction

1. Praxis News for iOS is a privacy-focused web browser designed specifically for reading news articles, functioning as a Safari extension and standalone app optimized for iOS 26 and later versions. It strips non-essential web page elements like ads, JavaScript, and cookies to deliver clean, fast-loading articles while bypassing paywalls on major news platforms in the USA, UK, and Australia.
2. The core value lies in its dual functionality as both a privacy shield and content liberator, enabling users to access premium news content without subscriptions while preventing tracking and data collection. It prioritizes user control over web experiences through deliberate technical limitations on modern browser features that enable surveillance.

Main Features

1. Ad and Tracker Blocking: Praxis automatically disables ads, JavaScript, cookies, and third-party content requests by default, using static filtering rules to cripple tracking scripts and reduce page bloat. This system-level blocking occurs before page rendering, ensuring no data reaches external servers.
2. Paywall Bypass Engine: The browser employs adaptive site-specific rules to restructure DOM elements and bypass subscription prompts on news websites like WSJ and MSN, though compatibility varies across publishers. Users can submit unsupported sites for analysis via in-app reporting tied to CloudKit.
3. Privacy-First Architecture: All browsing sessions operate in ephemeral mode without storing history or cookies locally, while iCloud sync for bookmarks and settings uses end-to-end encryption. The "Liquid Glass" rendering engine in Praxis 2.0 further isolates page components to prevent fingerprinting.

Problems Solved

1. Paywall Fatigue: Addresses user frustration with accumulating news subscription costs by providing free access to paywalled articles through technical workarounds, though effectiveness depends on ongoing rule updates against publisher countermeasures.
2. Privacy-Conscious News Readers: Targets users who prioritize anonymity but still want to read articles from mainstream outlets, offering a middle ground between Tor-level privacy and conventional browsers that leak metadata.
3. Cluttered Reading Experiences: Solves distraction-heavy web browsing by enforcing minimalist layouts through CSS overrides and optional Quiet Mode, which disables animations and non-article content for focused reading sessions.

Unique Advantages

1. Technical Restraint Philosophy: Unlike mainstream browsers that maximize feature sets, Praxis deliberately omits modern web APIs and scripting capabilities to reduce attack surfaces and tracking vectors, a design choice reflected in its stripped-down UI and lack of extension support.
2. Adaptive Site Rules: The app dynamically applies publisher-specific modifications using a combination of machine learning and manual curation, with updates distributed through TestFlight beta builds before public release. This includes altering cookie consent flows and removing article truncation scripts.
3. Multi-Layer Privacy: Combines network-level blocking via DNS filters with rendering-layer modifications through the Liquid Glass engine, achieving stronger privacy guarantees than ad blockers alone. The absence of user accounts or analytics SDKs further minimizes data exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why doesn’t Praxis work consistently on sites like WSJ or MSN? Praxis relies on reverse-engineered paywall bypass techniques that publishers frequently update, requiring ongoing maintenance of site adaptation rules. Users can submit problematic sites through the in-app reporting tool or join the TestFlight beta for early access to new filters.
2. How does Praxis protect privacy compared to Safari? The app blocks all third-party requests by default, disables browser fingerprinting vectors like WebGL and font enumeration, and prevents local storage of cookies or history. Safari’s Intelligent Tracking Prevention still allows some first-party tracking.
3. Can I improve Praxis’ compatibility with specific news sites? Enable "Experimental Adaptations" in settings and use the Share Extension to load articles directly from Safari. For persistent issues, the developers recommend using the TestFlight beta version, which includes unreleased site rules and the CloudKit-powered Report Site feature.
4. Are in-app purchases required for core functionality? The free version includes all privacy and paywall bypass features, while optional Themes ($0.99) and Custom Rules ($0.99) packs allow UI customization and advanced users to modify blocking parameters.
5. Does Praxis work on iPadOS and macOS? Full iPadOS support exists with multi-window functionality, but macOS compatibility is limited to sideloading via TestFlight. Vision Pro support requires visionOS 26 and uses the same Liquid Glass engine optimized for spatial computing.