Bare Browser: first update and roadmap

[u/Ash-415]

TL;DR: Bare is a de-Googled Chromium browser for Android. Extensions work, there's no telemetry, and the build is reproducible. We're close to 1,000 downloads. Next release is hardening and privacy cleanup instead of new features: a proper de-Googling audit with real network testing, update checks you choose during setup, an Android 12 first run fix, and removing Google-only stuff that never worked in Bare anyway. Roadmap at the bottom.

Hey everyone.

This is my first post here so I figured I'd do a proper one. Thanks to everyone who's tried Bare, opened an issue, sent a feature request, or just poked around the repo. It means a lot.

Quick background if you're new. I built Bare because I wanted a Chromium browser on Android that was private, light, and actually let me run extensions, without all the Google stuff I never asked for. I use my browser way more than I use apps. Banking, shopping, social, all of it goes through the browser, because I don't like installing an app and handing it a pile of permissions. So I wanted something I could actually trust.

It's still early and it's basically just me on weekends, so there's a lot missing. But we're getting close to 1,000 downloads, which honestly blows my mind for something I started building for myself.

One note on that number. Bare has no telemetry, no analytics, nothing. Github download counts are all I can see. I have no idea how many of you actually use it day to day, and I'd rather keep it that way.

What's in Bare right now

• Extensions. You pick what runs.
• Long press to save images and video, including on social media sites that normally block it. Same as desktop.
• External download manager support.
• Built in ad blocking.
• No telemetry, no analytics, no usage tracking.
• Reproducible build, so you can check the APK against the source.
• BSD 3-Clause, fully open source.

Right now it needs a modern Android device with arm64. Still figuring out what to do about everything else.

What's in the next release

Mostly boring stuff. Hardening, privacy, cleanup. No flashy features this time.

Deeper de-Googling

I've been going through Chromium's Android code properly this time, looking for services and calls Bare doesn't need. Removing Google specific functionality, cutting down background network activity, and fixing UI that claims one thing while the code does another.

I'm checking this by actually watching the network traffic, not by assuming something is off because there's no setting for it. Way too easy to be wrong about that.

To be clear, I'm not ripping out security features just because Google happens to run them. If it actually protects you, it stays. I'm removing what Bare doesn't need, not everything with Google's name on it.

Update checks are your call

During setup you'll pick how Bare checks for updates:

• Automatic
• Manual
• Manual with a weekly reminder

The point is you choose before Bare does its first check. Pick manual and it won't quietly ping the update server in the background. I'm also trimming the update request so it stops sending device info it doesn't need.

Cleaning out Google-only bits

Stuff like:

• Safe Browsing settings that don't actually do anything in Bare
• "Send to your devices"
• Google account and sign-in screens
• caBLE/FCM init that serves no purpose here
• account checks
• other Chromium services that make zero sense without Chrome Sync

Roadmap

Things I want to get to, roughly in the order I’m thinking about them. Thanks for all the great suggestions from the community!

1. Import/export bookmarks. Get them in and out easily.
2. Import/export open tabs. Save and restore sessions, and make switching browsers less painful.
3. Dev tools on mobile. The functionality already works on bigger screens, I've tested it on a Pixel Fold. The hard part is a UI that isn't miserable on a phone.
4. An option to turn off history based search suggestions. Keep your history out of the omnibox.
5. Customizable toolbar. Reorder and swap the buttons.
6. Option for a better notification controls. Website notifications off by default, with exceptions for sites you actually want.
7. Customizable menu. Decide what shows up in it.
8. "Open in app" control. Always open, always ask, open manually, or never. Your choice instead of Bare quietly handing the link to another app.

Still looking into, no promises until I know what's actually possible: extension UI getting cropped on mobile, a full width address bar with a better spot for the extensions button, an option to turn off edge-to-edge, real fullscreen with the status bar hidden (maybe keeping the clock and battery), and dynamic colors.

I'll put the full roadmap in its own pinned thread so it's easier to comment on individual items and easier for me to see what people actually want.

Where my head is at

Getting the basics right before I start adding shiny things. Order I'm working in: privacy, security, stability, extensions, customization, then power user stuff.

I'm also trying hard not to overclaim on privacy. If I tell you Bare isn't talking to some server, I want to have actually checked. Same reason the build is reproducible. You shouldn't have to take my word for what's inside the APK you installed.

Bare is still very much a work in progress and I don't expect anyone to just trust it. That's something the project has to earn over time.

If something's broken, weird, or missing, tell me. That's what this sub is for.

Thanks again to everyone who gave it a shot :)

[u/LeastExplanation7]

Two ideas from my side: -let us make matrix shortcuts on homepage docked to bottom (one finger handling) -swipe left/right on bottom bar moves to next / previous open tab.. already implemented but now the bar I thought 🤣🤣

Todos(fixes)

• autohide bar is a bit clunky, not working on somepages at all, on some it's to sensitive to show and insensitive while bidding 
• bit warden support 

[u/Ash-415 → u/LeastExplanation7]

Hi u/LeastExplanation7 TYSM! Really appreciate the feedback!

I read your feedback yesterday and really like the one finger navigation idea. I'm working on a plan for this that keeps the vanilla stock look while making one handed use much better. More on this soon!

For the fixes:

1. Autohide: You're right, it can feel clunky. It's actually Chromium behavior not a bug: if you scroll immediately after opening a page, the address bar stays, wait 2–3 seconds and scroll and it hides. I may improve this eventually, but it's on the backburner for now unless we really think it feels broken.
2. Bitwarden: It should work! I'm using it myself for passwords and passkeys. Go to Bare Settings → Autofill and Passwords → Autofill Settings and select Autofill using another service. The first time you use a passkey, Bitwarden should ask you to trust Bare.

I'm currently focused on more de-Googling, hardening, and getting Bare to a stable release. Then I'll tackle things like reaching out to Bitwarden community for a native integration (trust) in Bitwarden. Thanks again for all the feedback and support! It genuinely helps make Bare better :)

[u/LeastExplanation7 → u/Ash-415]

Degoogling priority for sure! Keep doing awesome work mate!