Brave Software, Inc. · Tools
Brave Browser 1.96.59 for Android: the private web browser by Brave Software with built-in ad blocking, tracking protection, Brave Search and Leo AI.
Brave is a web browser for Android from Brave Software, built around privacy and speed. Its main idea is that the browser itself should protect you while you browse, instead of leaving that job to add-ons you have to find and configure. Out of the box it includes a built-in ad blocker, tracking protection and other privacy tools, together with extras such as a private search engine, a VPN and an AI assistant called Brave Leo. This guide explains what the app offers, what the current version brings, how to install it and what to consider before you switch.
On Google Play the app is listed as free with ads, is rated 3+ (unrestricted internet), and shows more than 100 million downloads with a rating of about 4.8 stars from roughly 3.73 million reviews. That is a strong score for a browser, a category where many users are very particular about speed and privacy.
Brave is a full mobile browser that you can use in place of the one that came with your phone. You open websites, search, keep bookmarks and switch between tabs just as you would in any other browser. The difference is in what happens behind the scenes: Brave blocks many ads and trackers by default, upgrades connections to HTTPS where it can, and offers tools to limit scripts and cookie pop-ups.
Google Play describes Brave as a private web browser with a free built-in ad blocker, tracking protection, HTTPS encryption, a script blocker, private bookmarks and cookie consent blocking. Because these tools are built in, there is nothing extra to install before you get the benefits.
The free built-in ad blocker removes many ads from the pages you visit. Fewer ads usually means pages that feel lighter and less cluttered, and it also means fewer tracking requests made in the background. You can adjust what is blocked for each site if a page does not work as you expect.
Brave groups its protections under a panel called Shields. According to the release notes listed on Google Play, the Shields interface was redesigned in a recent update. Shields lets you see and control what the browser is blocking on the current page, so you can turn protections up or down for a specific site.
The app lists HTTPS encryption and a script blocker among its tools. HTTPS helps protect the connection between your phone and the site you are visiting, and script blocking lets you limit code that a page would otherwise run. Blocking scripts can break some sites, so it is best used when you want extra control.
Many websites show cookie consent pop-ups that get in the way of reading. Brave lists cookie consent blocking among its features, which can reduce these interruptions.
The app includes Brave Search, which Google Play describes as a private, independent search engine with no profiling. If you prefer a search option that is separate from the large advertising companies, it is available directly inside the browser.
Brave Leo is the built-in AI assistant listed among the app’s features. An assistant inside the browser can be handy for tasks such as understanding a page you are reading. As with any AI tool, check important answers yourself.
The Google Play listing mentions a firewall and VPN. A VPN can add a layer of privacy on networks you do not control, but features like this may be offered on a paid basis, so check the in-app details before relying on them.
Brave Rewards is an optional feature that lets users potentially earn compensation for their attention when they choose to view ads. It is optional, and you can use the browser without it.
The app includes a night mode for comfortable reading in low light, along with private bookmarks and other everyday browser tools.
The version listed for this page is 1.96.59, which APKPure shows with an update date of 29 September 2026. According to its release notes, this version introduced a setting to disable tab groups, made picture-in-picture video playback better, brought design improvements to the interface and upgraded the browser to Chromium 154. The Google Play listing describes an earlier update, which redesigned the Shields interface, added a settings search, added a pull-to-refresh gesture, raised the number of new tab shortcuts to 15 and upgraded to Chromium 151.
As with any app, the exact features you see can depend on your device, your region and the version you have installed.
Using Brave feels familiar if you have used any other mobile browser. The following habits help you get the most from it.
The most useful habit is to treat Shields as a per-site tool. Most pages work perfectly with the defaults, and only a few need adjustments.
Brave is offered here only as the official, unmodified app from Brave Software. This page does not link to or recommend modded, cracked or repackaged builds. Modified versions of a browser are especially risky, because a browser handles your passwords, browsing history and logins. The safest source is the Google Play listing linked on this page, which also provides automatic updates. If you choose to install from an APK site instead, APKPure lists version 1.96.59 as the official build and shows checksums for verification, but you should still make sure that the package name is com.brave.browser and that the file comes from a source you trust.
After the first few days, it is worth exploring the settings to tune the browser to your habits. Try the new settings search if you cannot find an option, review the Shields defaults so that they match your comfort level, and decide whether you want to use tab groups, since version 1.96.59 adds a setting to turn them off. If you often watch video while doing something else, try picture-in-picture playback. Keep the app updated, because browsers receive frequent security and stability fixes, and review your privacy settings now and then, especially after large updates.
The official source for the app is its Google Play listing, and this page links to it. Installing through Google Play gives automatic updates, and the store checks compatibility for your device. The size shown above is the figure listed on APKPure for this release, and the size you download can differ depending on your device and source. Check that the package name matches com.brave.browser, and only download files from sources you trust.
The simplest way to install Brave is through Google Play. If you install an APK file yourself, the general steps are similar on most Android phones, though menu names vary between manufacturers.
After installing, you can turn the unknown-source permission off again if you turned it on, which keeps your phone tidier.
Android 7 or higher is required according to Google Play, so most phones from the last several years can run it. The download is about 254.3 MB according to APKPure, so make sure you have enough free storage, and remember that a browser also stores cache and site data as you use it. Older phones may feel slower on heavy pages regardless of the browser, and closing background apps usually helps.
Privacy is Brave’s main selling point, so it is worth reading the details. The Google Play data safety section states that no data is shared with third parties, and that the app may collect financial info, app info and performance data, and device or other identifiers. It also says data is encrypted in transit and that users can request deletion of their data. Those are the developer’s own statements, and you should read the current data safety information on Google Play before installing so you can decide what you are comfortable with.
Remember that no browser can make you anonymous by itself. The sites you log in to still know who you are, and you should still use strong passwords and keep the app updated.
If the app does not install, check that your device runs Android 7 or higher and that you have enough free storage. If an APK install is blocked, check that you have allowed installs from that source in your settings. If a website looks broken, open Shields for that site and lower the protection level, then reload the page. If the browser feels slow, clear the cache, close unused tabs and update to the latest version. If video playback has problems, check that you are on a recent version, since picture-in-picture playback was improved in 1.96.59. If problems continue, reinstalling is a reasonable last step, but first make sure your bookmarks and data are backed up or synced.
There are many other Android browsers, including ones that focus on speed, on customisation or on data saving. Some offer built-in ad blocking too, while others rely on extensions or settings. Trying two or three is the best way to learn which mix of privacy, speed and features you prefer.
Brave suits people who want a more private and less cluttered web without installing several separate tools. It is a good fit if you dislike ads and cookie pop-ups, want a private search option, or like having an AI assistant close at hand. People who rely on sites that do not work well with blockers may need to adjust settings more often. Since it is free, it is easy to try alongside your current browser before deciding.
Brave Browser brings ad blocking, tracking protection, private search, an AI assistant and optional rewards into a single mobile browser. Version 1.96.59 adds a setting to disable tab groups, better picture-in-picture playback, interface improvements and a newer Chromium base, and the app is available on Google Play from Brave Software. If privacy and a cleaner web matter to you, it is well worth trying. Just review the data safety information, adjust Shields when a site needs it, and install the app only from a source you trust.
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