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 17 Pro Dual Tone Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 8 New Features

Thursday January 9, 2025 5:45 am PST by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. iPhone 17 Pro concept based on rumors Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of January 2025: More aluminum: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models ...
HomePod mini and Apple TV

HomePod Mini 2 and New Apple TV Launch Timeframe Narrowed Down

Sunday January 12, 2025 4:11 pm PST by
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple plans to release new HomePod mini and Apple TV models this year, and now he has provided a more precise timeframe. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said Apple is currently aiming to launch the new HomePod mini and Apple TV models "toward the end of the year." That timeframe suggests the devices will be released at some point...
AppleEventLogoFeature

Apple Focusing on These Eight New Low-Cost Devices in 2025

Saturday January 11, 2025 1:00 am PST by
Apple's slate of 2025 products look to be dominated by a large number of low-cost and entry-level devices. Here's what to expect. With advancements like Apple Intelligence and all-new in-house chip designs, Apple is reportedly looking to enhance many of its budget-friendly offerings, ensuring they remain competitive in an increasingly crowded market. These updates also indicate a slight...
iPhone 17 Pro Dual Tone Horizontal 1

iPhone 17 Pro Main Camera Sensor 'Smaller' Than iPhone 16 Pro Sensor

Friday January 10, 2025 3:14 am PST by
This year's iPhone 17 Pro models will feature a smaller main camera sensor than the one used in the Fusion camera currently found in iPhone 16 Pro models, according to Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station. The Chinese leaker claims that Apple will adopt a 1/1.3" sensor for the 48MP main camera in the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, down from the 1/1.28" sensor used in the iPhone 16...
se 4 for 2025

When to Expect the iPhone SE 4 or So-Called 'iPhone 16E' to Launch

Friday January 10, 2025 9:20 am PST by
Apple is widely rumored to be planning a new iPhone SE, and multiple sources lately have commented on the device's launch timing. The latest word comes from Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a blog post today, he said the device will be released around the middle of the first half of 2025. In other words, around the quarter mark of 2025. That means the next iPhone SE will likely be ...
airpods pro 2 botw

Hearing a Mysterious Chime From Your AirPods Pro Case? It's a Feature

Thursday January 9, 2025 3:42 pm PST by
If you've been hearing a chiming sound from your AirPods Pro 2 case when the AirPods are charging, it's a feature that Apple added with the launch of Hearing Health last year. In a support guide, Apple says that the AirPods Pro may play a sound every so often while in the case to ensure the microphones and speakers are working as intended. From Apple: To help ensure that your AirPods...
Generic iOS 18

iOS 18.3 Coming Soon: Here's What's New

Monday January 13, 2025 5:33 am PST by
iOS 18.3 is currently in beta for developers and public beta testers. So far, the upcoming iPhone software update is very minor in scope. Below, we outline what is new in iOS 18.3 so far. The only potential new feature coming to iPhones with iOS 18.3 so far is robot vacuum support in the Home app, but this functionality is not yet live. Apple is laying the groundwork for the feature,...
apple pay feature dynamic island

Apple Pay Now Lets You Pay Later With Synchrony [Updated]

Friday January 10, 2025 11:34 am PST by
Synchrony is now available as a buy-now, pay-later option when checking out with Apple Pay online and in apps on iPhone and iPad. Synchrony was added to a list of Apple Pay installment providers in the U.S. in an Apple support document that was updated today, joining Affirm and Klarna. The addition was spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 users can select...

Top Rated Comments

ozzymo Avatar
54 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
54 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
54 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
54 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
54 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
54 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)