Brave Browser for iOS Updates App to Remove Reward Features That Violated App Store Rules

The developers behind the Brave browser today announced some changes for the iOS version of Brave, which are being implemented to comply with Apple's App Store rules.

brave browser rewards
A new version of the Brave browser being released today for the iPhone and the iPad removes features that allowed people to earn rewards for browsing and to tip creators. Brave has a system that allows those using the browser to earn money for viewing ads, which can then be given to preferred content creators.

Brave Rewards is built on the Basic Attention Token (BAT) and is a new way to value attention, connecting users, content creators, and advertisers. Users are rewarded in BAT with 70% of the ad revenue share of the privacy-preserving ads they opt into viewing, and they can support content creators they love by rewarding them with BAT. There are currently over 985,000 Brave verified content creators.

With the release of iOS 14, Apple told Brave that the Brave Rewards system was not compliant with ‌App Store‌ guidelines 3.1.1 and 3.2.2. The 3.1.1 rule prevents apps from giving a tip to a person unless what's provided is purchased through in-app purchases, while the 3.2.2 rule prevents "tasks for cash." Brave's developers say that this guideline is aimed at preventing apps from asking users to give 5 star ratings in return for points, and that Apple has likened the opt-in viewing of Brave Ads as tasks for cash.

Though there is no path for earning rewards from viewing Brave ads on iOS going forward, Brave says that it hopes that users will continue to opt in as Brave still plans to provide creators with monthly donations.

Brave's developers are "disappointed" with the update, but say that Brave users can continue to enjoy the "same fast and privacy-preserving iOS browser they know." These changes will not apply to the desktop version of the app or the Android versions.

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:12 pm PST by
Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previo...
airtag purple

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year With These New Features

Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development. Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag. Timing Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

No, Apple CEO Tim Cook Didn't Say He Prefers Logitech's MX Master 3 Over the Magic Mouse

Sunday November 17, 2024 3:03 pm PST by
While the Logitech MX Master 3 is a terrific mouse for the Mac, reports claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook prefers that mouse over the Magic Mouse are false. The Wall Street Journal last month published an interview with Cook, in which he said he uses every Apple product every day. Soon after, The Verge's Wes Davis attempted to replicate using every Apple product in a single day. During that...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Releases iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 With Security Fixes

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that debuted earlier in September. iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 come three weeks after the launch of iOS 18.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 17.7.2 for...
at t turbo indicator iphone 16 pro max v0 8hrh7w5f3w1e1

AT&T Turbo Indicator Showing Up in iPhone Status Bar for Subscribers

Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:42 am PST by
AT&T has begun displaying "Turbo" in the iPhone carrier label for customers subscribed to its premium network prioritization service, according to reports on Reddit. The new indicator seems to have started appearing after users updated to iOS 18.1.1, but that could be just coincidence. Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476 The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through ...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

Monday November 18, 2024 1:07 pm PST by
In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick. "We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote. If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be ...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerabilities

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:52 am PST by
The iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 updates that Apple released today address JavaScriptCore and WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says have been actively exploited on some devices. With the JavaScriptCore vulnerability, processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebKit vulnerability had the same issue with maliciously crafted...

Top Rated Comments

ozzymo Avatar
52 months ago
App Store guideline 3.1.1: No tip can be given to anyone unless its purchased through IAP as we want our 30% cut
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ozzymo Avatar
52 months ago

So Apple doesn't want internet sites to monetize via tracking (which is good for privacy), and they won't allow monetization using Brave on iOS either (??). Seems like a non-tracking-supported internet should be something Apple either allows to happen or actively encourages. I don't get it.
Apple doesn't care about any of that. They only care that they're not getting their 30% cut
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ozzymo Avatar
52 months ago

I don't like the idea of a privacy browser with adware built in that can be enabled with a switch flick. It's a positive change imo.
Adware is something sneaky that is on your system without your knowledge. Brave tells you up front hey if you want to enroll in this program and view ads you can earn a little revenue and gift it to a creator or whoever. I didn't want to and chose to decline the program and never saw an ad. I don't think it's adware if they tell you up front and give you a choice.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bsamcash Avatar
52 months ago

I found Brave, on both desktop and mobile, very spammy with its cryptocurrency ads via notifications. Took a dislike to it as a result.
You can turn all of that off. I did and I cannot praise the experience enough.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
greenbreadmmm Avatar
52 months ago

How is the app destroyed? If it can’t survive unless it is able to violate App Store rules, that doesn’t say much about the app, in my opinion.

A browser supposedly geared towards privacy wanting to pay people to view ads seems rather hypocritical to me.
The entire Brave/Bat ecosystem is built around rewarding the user for ads (they choose to view) and paying content creators (Like MacRumors) for their offerings. So if Apple decides late in the game that it is no longer allowed to do that...it destroys the point of Brave browsing, as well as the appeal of the app.

How you got to "if it can't survive unless it violates apples TOS" is beyond a stretch and disingenuous of the timeline we are on. Apple changed the rules mid game and you somehow blame brave?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
connormw Avatar
52 months ago

So Apple doesn't want internet sites to monetize via tracking (which is good for privacy), and they won't allow monetization using Brave on iOS either (??). Seems like a non-tracking-supported internet should be something Apple either allows to happen or actively encourages. I don't get it.
They're fine with monetization, so long as it goes through the App Store. Ya know, even if no money is actually passing from the consumer to the app developer.

Pretty soon Apple is going to want users to remit a portion of their Farmville earnings.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)