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Show HN: Helium Browser for Android with extensions support, based on Vanadium

(github.com)
64 points jqssun | 2 comments | 26 Oct 25 22:41 UTC | HN request time: 0.013s | source

Been working on an experimental Chromium-based browser that brings 2 major features to your phone/tablet:

1. desktop-style extensions: natively install any extensions (like uBO) from the chrome web store, just toggle "desktop site" in the menu first.

2. privacy/security hardening: applies the full patch sets from Vanadium (with Helium's currently wip).

Means you get both browsers' excellent privacy features, like Vanadium's webrtc IP policy option that protects your real IP by default, and security improvements such as JIT being disabled by default, all while being a reasonably efficient FOSS app that can be installed on any (modern) android.

It's still in beta, and as I note in the README, it's not a replacement for the full OS-level security model you'd get from running the GrapheneOS Vanadium combo. However, goal was to combine privacy of Vanadium with the power of desktop extensions and Helium features, and make it accessible to a wider audience. (Passkeys from Bitwarden Mobile should also work straight away once merged in the list of FIDO2 privileged browsers)

Build scripts are in the repo if you want to compile it yourself. You can find pre-built releases there too.

Would love any feedback/support!

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maxloh ◴[27 Oct 25 07:48 UTC] No.45718346[source]▶
It would be really useful if we could sync bookmarks and history with Google's servers.

Some Chromium builds has that: https://chromium.woolyss.com/#google-api-keys

replies(1): >>45721284 #
hagbard_c ◴[27 Oct 25 14:17 UTC] No.45721284[source]▶
I suspect these 'alternative' Chromium-based browsers are mostly aimed at those (like me) who want to keep their data out of Google's (et. al.) reach and as such would consider 'sync with the data parasites' as a misfeature.
replies(1): >>45721821 #
1. maxloh ◴[27 Oct 25 15:05 UTC] No.45721821[source]▶
The title of this thread actually says "with extensions support", so I think it is a major selling point intended for casual users like me, who priorities convenient over privacy.

> ...would consider 'sync with the data parasites' as a misfeature.

I am curious why Firefox isn't a choice for you. Why Mozilla as a NGO isn't trusted for handling your data?

replies(1): >>45722415 #
2. hagbard_c ◴[27 Oct 25 15:53 UTC] No.45722415[source]▶
What makes you think I do not use (something like) Firefox? I use Fennec - F-Droid's build of Firefox Nightly - as my main browser. I only use Chromium-derivative browsers for those sites which won't work with Gecko and to test whether things I make work 'on the other side´.

As to not trusting an NGO with my data, well... where to start? Ever since Mitchell Baker turned Mozilla into an activist cooperative while firing those pesky developers - who needs developers when all you want to do is political campaigning - and raising her own salary 5-fold that organisation has lost its shine as far as I'm concerned. As far as I'm concerned Mozilla is ripe for a new 'March 31 event' [1] in the sense of a transfer of the stewardship of the Gecko engine and Firefox browser to either another organisation entirely or to a splinter group from within Mozilla which still considers developing the main competitor to the Blink engine as its primary focus without any of the heavy political baggage from the Baker days.

[1] https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/netscape-sets-source...