How to use the built-in IPFS client in the Brave browser to access the decentralized web?

Brave is one of the few mainstream browsers with native support for the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) protocol, allowing you to directly download and view content from a decentralized network without using third-party applications or plugins.

To start working with decentralized sites, you do not need to install bulky local nodes, as the browser can function in gateway mode. When trying to follow a link like ipfs:// or changing the protocol on a certain site, Brave will prompt you to launch the built-in node or connect to a public gateway.

You can fine-tune IPFS settings by going to the browser's system settings and selecting the corresponding subsection in the privacy and security menu. There, you can choose between using your own local IPFS node and connecting to public remote gateways to save system resources.

Using built-in IPFS opens access to censorship-resistant web resources and allows you to share files directly with other users via a peer-to-peer network. This makes the internet browsing process more independent of traditional centralized server infrastructures.