What is Wave Browser? Is it safe, and how can you remove it?

Ever come across a mysterious app called Wave Browser on your computer and think, “Wait, what the heck is this?” 

You’re not alone. Wave Browser might look like a legitimate browsing tool on the surface, but it’s really the black sheep of the browser world.

What is Wave Browser, and is it safe to use? Let’s dig a little deeper. 

What is Wave Browser?

Wave Browser is a web browser application pitched as “a browser designed for productivity,” but it’s actually a security risk in the form of a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program). 

Wave Browser has been around since 2021, and its main selling point (OK, it’s free) is a built-in split screen. In a single window, users can watch videos, write documents, and manage their social media.

Wave Browser features

Wave Browser also comes with many of the standard features you’d expect from mainstream browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge:

• Chromium source code: Wave Browser is built on the same open-source code as other browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Opera;
• Multi-device support: Wave Browser is available on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS;
• Private browsing: the web browser offers an incognito mode that enables more private surfing.

Why Wave Browser might appear on your device 

Wave Browser is often bundled with other software or downloaded through third-party apps — usually without your knowledge or consent. In other words, most people don’t go to the Wave Browser site and download the app themselves, but it winds up on their devices nonetheless. 

Like an uninvited party guest, it sneaks onto your devices, hoping you won’t notice. And if you happen to use it, you may get more headaches than you’ve bargained for.

Is Wave Browser safe?

No, Wave Browser isn’t safe to use. While it’s technically not malicious software, users should be aware of the following safety concerns: 

• Unwanted data exposure: Wave Browser stores your browsing data and tracks your online activity. Your info might not be sold to third parties, but if a data breach were to happen, your details would be at risk;
• Intrusive ads: users frequently complain about the annoying ads and pop-ups they get bombarded with while using Wave Browser;
• Malware: compared to other browsers, Wave Browser is known for excessive ads from less-than-reputable sources. These ads and redirects, together with the browser’s weak security checks, mean it’s way too easy to land on malicious sites that place your devices squarely in harm’s way;
• Browser hijacking: Wave Browser is prone to altering settings like your homepage or default search engine without clear user consent. Mainstream browsers have stronger protections against unauthorized changes, so using Wave Browser can lead to major security risks;
• System performance: with so much going on under the hood, Wave Browser hogs your system resources, slowing down devices and putting a damper on your overall online experience. 

The good news? You don’t have to take our word for it. To learn more about Wave Browser and its many problems, read user reviews from across the web. Reddit threads and Trustpilot reviews are great places to start.  

Is Wave Browser on my device?

Here’s how to find out if Wave Browser is installed on your device and you’re unwittingly hosting this digital hitchhiker:

Check if Wave Browser is installed

The simplest way to see if Wave Browser is on your computer or phone is to manually search for it using these steps:

Windows

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Click on Programs, and then head to Programs and Features. 
3. Look through the list to see if you can find Wave Browser.

Note: You can alternatively press the Windows key and search for Wave Browser in the Start Menu.

macOS

1. Open Finder.
2. Go to the Applications folder.
3. Search the list for Wave Browser.

iOS

1. Tap Search at the bottom of your Home Screen.
2. Type in Wave Browser.
3. If you get a hit, the app is installed, and you should remove Wave Browser immediately.

Note: If you have iOS 14 or later, you can also swipe left on your home screen to access your App Library, where you can also search for Wave Browser.

Android

1. Tap Settings on your home screen.
2. Head to Apps and See all apps.
3. Scan the list for Wave Browser.

Review your browser extensions

Since Wave Browser has been known to tinker with other web browsers, it might also be a good idea to check your browser extensions.

1. Open your preferred internet browser.
2. Click to open your extensions menu.
3. Search the list for Wave Browser or any other browser extension that looks suspicious.

Watch for strange system activity

If you notice any unusual behavior on your device, Wave Browser might be the culprit. Be on the lookout for these signs:

• Changed default browser settings: is your homepage or default search engine suddenly different? Wave Browser could be behind it;
• Pop-ups and intrusive ads: an uptick in annoying ads may mean Wave Browser is at play;
• Sluggish performance: because Wave Browser uses so many system resources, it could be responsible for any unexpected downturns in terms of your device’s performance.

How to remove Wave Browser from your device

Once you’ve spotted Wave Browser on your device, it’s time to unfriend it. Here are step-by-step instructions for each device.

Windows

You’ve got a couple of options if you want to uninstall Wave Browser on a Windows PC.

Uninstall via Control Panel

1. Press the Windows key, type Control Panel in the search window, and hit Enter.
2. Select Programs, and then click Programs and Features.
3. Right-click on Wave Browser and select Uninstall. Follow the remaining on-screen instructions.

Uninstall via Start Menu

1. Click Start (the Windows icon) and then choose All apps. 
2. Find Wave Browser in the list shown.
3. Right-click and select Uninstall.

Uninstall via Settings

1. Click Start in the Windows taskbar.
2. Select Settings, Apps, and then Apps & features.
3. Find Wave Browser, click More, and Uninstall.  

Uninstall Wave Browser extension

1. Launch your primary web browser (e.g., Google Chrome).
2. Open your extensions menu.
3. Uninstall the Wave Browser extension and any related add-ons.

Tip: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and ensure no Wave Browser processes are running. 

macOS

macOS users should stick to these steps to uninstall Wave Browser.

Remove from apps

1. Open Finder and go to the Applications folder.
2. Find Wave Browser on the list of installed apps.
3. Move the app to the Trash by dragging it or selecting it and pressing Command + Delete.
4. Empty the Trash. 

Remove Wave Browser extension

1. Launch your primary web browser (e.g., Google Chrome).
2. Open your extensions menu.
3. Uninstall the Wave Browser extension and any related add-ons.

iOS

Removing Wave Browser on mobile iOS devices is relatively straightforward.

Delete via Home Screen

1. Touch and hold the Wave Browser app.
2. Tap Remove App and then Delete app.

Delete via App Library

1. Touch and hold the Wave Browser app in the App Library.
2. Tap Delete app and then Delete.

Android

You can delete Wave Browser from your Android device in just a few steps.

Delete via Google Play Store

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap the Profile icon, Manage apps & devices, and then Manage.
3. Select Wave Browser and tap Uninstall.

Delete related data

1. Go to Storage after uninstalling the app.
2. Search for Wave Browser and tap Clear data and Clear cache.

Note: Worried about the Wave Browser extension on your mobile devices? Don’t be. The Chrome browser doesn’t support extensions in its mobile app, and even though Edge and Firefox allow limited add-ons, there’s no mobile Wave Browser extension anyway. 

How to protect yourself from potentially unwanted programs (PUPs)

Let’s talk about the ways you can keep PUPs like Wave Browser at bay:

• Read before you click: always pay close attention when installing software. PUPs often sneak in as optional offers that are easy to miss. Carefully read each screen, and uncheck anything you don’t need;
• Stick to trusted sources: download programs from official websites and reputable platforms. Third-party sites may bundle legitimate software with PUPs, while trustworthy sources mean fewer nasty surprises;
• Avoid clicking on ads: resist the urge to click on any flashy pop-ups. These can easily spread malware and act as gateways for PUPs to enter your system. If something seems too good to be true, it’s likely a malicious ad in disguise;
• Install an antivirus tool: reputable antivirus software can detect and block PUPs before they cause problems. You can rely on tools like Surfshark Antivirus to shield your device from these unwanted intrusions. Perform regular system scans to catch PUPs early on;
• Use an ad blocker: ad blockers can protect you from PUPs by blocking harmful ads, trackers, and cookie pop-ups that might lead to malicious websites or prompt unwanted software installations. Features like Surfshark’s CleanWeb stop ads from loading, recognize dangerous sites, and reduce the risk of accidental clicks on harmful links.

Don’t let Wave Browser pull you in

Wave Browser might seem harmless, but it’s classified as a potentially unwanted program for a reason. Thankfully, keeping such software off your devices is much easier with the one-two combo of an antivirus and ad blocker. Surfshark One bundles our Antivirus and CleanWeb Ad Blocker (and more) to boost your online safety across multiple devices. Get our cybersecurity suite to shield yourself from PUPs, malware attacks, and other online threats.

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