Settings

Default search engine

Google is Opera’s default search engine, but you can choose from several search engines available in the browser. The search engine you choose will be used when searching from Fast Action Button or Instant Search.

To change the default search engine:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu and tap Settings.
  2. Under Settings, tap Default search engine.
  3. Choose your default search engine.

Navigation

To change the navigation:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu and tap Settings.
  2. Under Settings, you’ll see three types of navigation: Standard, Bottom Search Bar, and Fast Action Button.
  3. Choose your default navigation.

Dark theme

To enable dark theme on iPhone:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu and tap Settings.
  2. Under Settings, tap on Theme.
  3. Turn on Dark Theme.

Search

The search bar is designed to help you find websites, articles, and other online content with ease. To make searching more intuitive and efficient, you can use tools like Trending Searches and Recent Searches. 

Trending Searches

Trending Searches displays popular and current search queries based on recent user activity and trending topics. This feature can quickly direct you to relevant and widely discussed topics, saving you time and keeping your browsing experience relevant and engaging.

To turn off Trending Searches:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu and tap Settings.
  2. Under Settings, tap Search. There you’ll see the Trending Searches option. 
  3. Toggle on Trending Searches.

Recent Searches

Recent Searches shows a list of your previous search queries. This feature allows you to quickly revisit sites or topics you have searched for recently, making it easier to continue where you left off.

To turn off Recent Searches:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu and tap Settings.
  2. Under Settings, tap Search. There you’ll see the Recent Searches option. 
  3. Toggle on Research Searches.

Ad Blocker

Opera’s native and opt-in Ad Blocker helps improve page loading speeds. The Ad Blocker contains EasyList and regional ad blocker lists.

To turn on ad blocking:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu and tap Settings.
  2. Under Settings, tap Ad Blocking. The Content filters page will be opened by tapping Ad Blocking.
  3. Toggle on Ad Blocking.

Cryptocurrency mining protection

Opera’s cryptocurrency mining protection stops cryptojacking from occurring on your device without your knowledge. Some websites have cryptojacking scripts embedded in their code. When you access those websites, the scripts will cause your device to use more CPU than it should.

You can test if your device is protected from cryptocurrency mining with our cryptojacking test.

To turn on or off cryptocurrency mining protection:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu and tap Settings.
  2. Under Settings, tap Cryptocurrency mining protection. The Content filters page will be opened by tapping Cryptocurrency mining protection.
  3. Turn on Cryptocurrency mining protection.

Free VPN

Opera Browser’s free VPN protects one’s identity and activity so that users can peruse the internet privately, and their personal information is safe from prying eyes.

Opera’s VPN service requires no subscription, no logging into an account, and no additional extensions; users simply need to toggle a switch in the main menu to browse in peace since the Opera Browser’s VPN traffic is encrypted and the IP address is private.

How to set VPN:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu and tap Settings, and find the VPN section.

  1. Enable VPN: Toggle the switch to activate the VPN. You might be prompted to grant Opera Browser permission to add VPN configurations to your device. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete this step.

  1. Select a Virtual Location: Once the VPN is enabled, choose a virtual location from the available options to browse from different regions.

  1. Connect to VPN: Tap Connect to connect to your chosen virtual location. With the VPN active, your internet traffic will be securely routed through Opera’s servers, ensuring a private and protected browsing experience.

  1. Deactivate VPN: Toggle the switch to turn off the VPN. This will disconnect you from the virtual location and stop routing the traffic through Opera’s VPN servers.

Live Scores

Live Scores provides real-time football updates. It’s a part of the Startpage Carousel. You’ll find live updates of over 1,000 leagues worldwide, real-time scores, and insightful match analysis. 

To disable Live Scores:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu and tap Settings.
  2. Under Live Scores, turn off Live Scores.

Block cookie dialogs

In Opera, you can choose to block cookie dialogs that appear on websites. These dialogs are designed to provide more control over your online privacy.

To block cookie dialogs:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu and tap Settings.
  2. Under Settings, tap Ad Blocking. The Content filters page will be opened by tapping Ad Blocking.
  3. Turn on Block cookie dialogs.

Turning on the cookie blocker enables the Automatically accept cookie dialogs option. With this option enabled, you are agreeing to have cookies set on Opera.

If you want to stay in control of what cookie or privacy agreements are accepted, disable this option.

More about Opera’s cookie dialog blocker

The recent introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) improves control over online privacy. However, an unforeseen consequence has been a sharp increase in the often complex and confusing attempts by websites to make their visitors agree to their privacy practices and policies.

The cookie dialog blocker uses a combination of CSS rules and JavaScript heuristics to identify and remove cookie alerts. This feature, initially implemented on Opera for Android, was tested on 15,000 websites. Opera continues to add to this list.

Vibrations

Vibrations, or haptic feedback, is touch feedback given to the user when interacting with a user interface. When you interact with a touchscreen button, you will feel a vibration from your phone, for example. Opera uses vibrations for interactions with the Fast Action Button. Vibration is enabled by default.

To turn off vibrations:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu and tap Settings.
  2. Under Settings, turn off Vibrations.

Clear browsing data

Clearing browsing data can help improve the speed and performance of Opera. Over time, cookies and other cached data accumulate and may slow down your browser.

To clear your browsing history, cookies, and cached data:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu and tap Settings.
  2. Under Settings, tap Clear browsing data. 
  3. Select the browsing data you wish to delete and tap Clear data.

Hide Speed Dial from the start page

To hide the Speed Dial section from your start page:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu and tap Settings.
  2. Under Settings, turn off Speed Dial.

Disable Instant Search on browser startup

To disable Instant Search when starting up the browser:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu and tap Settings.
  2. Under Settings, turn off Instant Search.

Disable News

To disable News:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu and tap Settings.
  2. Under News, turn off News.

Change the language of the News

To change the language

  1. Tap the three-dot menu and tap Settings.
  2. Under News, choose a different Region.