The hitherto completely unknown app Instabridge made it onto countless German smartphones in just a few weeks. But what about the free browser whose main function is a free Wi-Fi feature?
The current Statcounter numbers show which browsers users in Germany use to surf on their cell phones. Number 1 is clearly Chrome (47.7%), which is due to the widespread use of Android smartphones. In second place comes Safari (30.5%), the built-in browser on iPhones. Next comes Samsung Internet (11.8%), because Samsung also has its own browser. So far so to be expected.
But then you rub your eyes, Instabridge ranks fourth (6.2%). instawer? All other mobile browsers are practically irrelevant. Firefox and Opera only manage a market share of over 1 percent. Instabridge is a free app that actually serves a completely different purpose. It helps with the search for free WLAN and has recently also integrated a browser.
Find free WiFi
The case should be familiar to many mobile phone users: You are on the go and want or need to save data volume. The search for free WLANs shouldn’t take too much time either. Instabridge jumps in here and shows available free WiFi in the area. These include free WLANs that can be used without a password, as well as password-protected networks. The app then provides the password for this.
More than 20 million WLAN hotspots are said to be accessible via the app worldwide, a short practical test in Munich showed that many of them do not work. But that can also just be a coincidence, we haven’t done a broad test, even abroad. The app also allows users to share their WiFi. If you’re considering that, then only through guest access.
The function for downloading WLAN maps is practical for travelling. So you have the directories of free wireless networks at hand even when you are offline.
Built-in browser
What has been new in the app for a few weeks now is a browser. It is advertised as particularly data-efficient. It latches in at the bottom and is immediately available, which is probably why many users just start surfing and don’t think too much about which browser they are using. Instabridge then appears in the user agent, so that the browser statistics identify these users separately.
Instabridge itself is not really a new app, only the browser integration is new. The new popularity of Instabridge in Germany may also be due to a cooperation with Samsung. We asked the provider and will add it here. What is noticeable when using it: the browser often asks whether it wants to be used as the default.
Invasive ads and VPN
The app prompts you to log in with a Facebook or Google account during setup, but you can skip that. What stands out is the invasive advertising. Not only is the app riddled with ads, advertising in full-screen mode keeps struggling in between, making it more difficult to use.
In addition to the browser, a VPN is also integrated. This can be used free of charge with restrictions and also bought. According to the provider, only the amount of data consumed and timestamps about usage are recorded. With apps like PrivadoVPN there are good free alternatives.
Lots of tracking and expensive premium version
Behind Instabridge is Deego Backup AB, a Swedish company that also offers cloud storage with 100 GB of space for free. Instabridge for Android is crammed with a whopping 22 trackers. When you look at the data protection declaration, you shouldn’t be squeamish: it’s no wonder that the information stored there is pulled when you log in to Facebook or Google.
Instabridge also evaluates a lot of data during use, such as IP address, device ID, usage time, WLAN SSID, SIM card, device IMEI, MAC address of routers, signal strength and more. Location tracking also takes place in the background when the app is not in use. In addition, collected data is diligently shared with partners and used for targeted advertising.
A premium version that removes ads and VPN restrictions can also be activated via the app. You can test it for 7 days free of charge, but if you forget to cancel, you will automatically end up with an annual subscription for 90 euros. So watch out.