SkieWhich browsers are always blocked on Skie managed devices?
More than 50 alternative browsers are always blocked, including Firefox, Brave, Opera, Edge, Samsung Internet, DuckDuckGo, UC, Vivaldi and Tor. The block applies whatever an app list says, so an admin cannot allow one by mistake. Chrome is the managed browser, with its rules enforced.
Filtering only works if there is one browser to filter. A student who installs Firefox or Brave brings a different search engine, a different private mode and different DNS settings. Skie closes that door at the source.
The always-blocked list is built into the product and overrides app lists. It covers more than 50 alternative browsers, among them Firefox, Brave, Opera, Edge, Samsung Internet, DuckDuckGo, UC Browser, Vivaldi and Tor. Blocking beats allowing, which means even an app list that names one will not make it run.
Most devices come with a manufacturer browser such as Samsung Internet. On a managed device it is not available, and Chrome is the browser, running under the Chrome rules for SafeSearch, incognito, search engine lock and the rest. Whether Chrome itself is off, restricted or allowed depends on the group.
The same list approach covers VPN apps, proxy apps and DNS changer apps, which are also never allowed. All apps come from Google Play, and unknown sources are blocked, so a browser cannot arrive as a downloaded file either.
Tip for the helpdesk: when a teacher asks to allow a particular browser for a special need, explain that the list is fixed on purpose. For an accessibility case, ask the team how to meet it within the Chrome policy rather than adding another browser.