Bare Browser launches as 'de-Googled' Chromium alternative to fight AI bloat
The community-built Android browser strips out Gemini and Google telemetry while adding desktop extension support.
A new community-built Chromium project called Bare has launched for Android, offering a streamlined alternative to Google Chrome. The browser specifically targets users seeking to avoid "AI bloat" by removing integrated Google services and tracking.
Bare is a de-Googled Chromium build compatible with Android 10 and above. According to the project's official documentation and GitHub repository, the browser removes all Gemini AI features, Google telemetry, and tracking mechanisms. Rather than operating as a traditional fork, the project is structured as a series of 99 patches applied against a pinned revision of Chromium Desktop Android. To further prioritize privacy, DuckDuckGo is set as the default search engine upon launch.
Expanding Android Capabilities
While stripping away Google's ecosystem, Bare adds several functional capabilities that are absent from the standard Chrome for Android experience. The browser includes uBlock Origin by default and provides full support for Chrome Web Store extensions, including popular tools like Dark Reader and Bitwarden.
Additionally, Bare introduces quality-of-life improvements for power users. These include background video playback, which allows audio to continue playing when the screen is locked, and the ability to hand off downloads to external managers such as 1DM. Akshay Bhalla of Android Police noted that the project "strips Chrome down to its bare essentials before all the AI bloat started rolling out."
The Push Against Feature Creep
This release comes as Google aggressively integrates its Gemini AI into the Chrome ecosystem. Many users have expressed concerns regarding storage and privacy, particularly because there is currently no official method to disable these forced AI features within the standard Chrome app.
Bare represents a growing trend of "de-Googled" software. This movement sees users attempting to maintain the high performance and web compatibility of the Chromium engine while rejecting the data collection and feature-creep associated with Google's broader ecosystem. It signals a specific market demand for minimalist software that prioritizes user control over AI-driven automation.
Future Outlook
Currently in alpha, the project continues to refine its patch set to maintain stability while keeping the browser lean. While the project is currently available via its official channels and GitHub, reports from Android Police suggest the browser is expected to be available on F-Droid and the Google Play Store in the near future. Users will be watching to see if the project can maintain its "bare" philosophy as Chromium continues to evolve and introduce new dependencies.