alt Hacker News> Why would an app be a requirement for a search engine?
Because otherwise you can’t use it as a default search engine on the platform, because it doesn’t allow it. Same for iOS. They had to write an app to intercept search requests and redirect to Kagi.
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I suppose. Since there was a threshold to cross, I was assuming the search would need to get baked in as an option natively.
I tend to like how Firefox does it, where any search the user goes to, there is an option to add it as a search option and set it as the default. This should be the standard all browsers use. Junking up a phone with apps just for what is ultimately a setting change isn’t ideal.
The hacks Kagi has to do for Safari is annoying. They’ve gone so far as to make their own browser to make it better, though I’m sure that’s not their only reason. I’ve had some issues with the Safari extension over the years. I hope Apple changes their approach on this.
You can totally use it as the default search engine, all you have to do is switch to a different launcher that actually gives you the freedom to customize your search settings bases on your preferences. Eg, Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, Niagara, etc.