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 which you choose will be used when searching from FAB or Instant Search.
To change the default search engine:
- Tap and tap Settings.
- Under Settings, tap Default search engine.
- Choose your default search engine.
Dark theme
To enable dark theme on iPhone:
- Tap and tap Settings.
- Under Settings, tap on Theme.
- Turn on Dark Theme.
To enable dark theme on Android:
- Tap and tap Settings.
- Under General, tap Theme.
- Toggle off Use system theme and select Dark.
Ad blocking
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:
- Tap and tap Settings.
- Under Settings, tap Ad Blocking. Content filters page will be opened on tapping Ad Blocking.
- 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:
- Tap and tap Settings.
- Under Browser, toggle Cryptocurrency mining protection.
Block cookie dialogs
In Opera, you can choose to block cookie dialogs that appear on websites. These dialogs are designed to provide you with more control over your online privacy.
To block cookie dialogs:
- Tap and tap Settings.
- Under Settings, tap Ad Blocking. Content filters page will be opened on tapping Ad Blocking.
- Turn on Block cookie dialogs.
Turning on 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) was intended to provide people with improved control over their 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 FAB. Vibration is enabled by default.
To turn off vibrations:
- Tap and tap Settings.
- 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:
- Tap and tap Settings.
- Under Settings, tap Clear browsing data.
- Select the browsing data you wish to delete and tap Clear data.
Hide Speed Dial from home page
To hide the Speed Dial section from your home page:
- Tap and tap Settings.
- Under Settings, turn off Speed Dial.
Disable Instant Search on browser startup
To disable Instant Search when starting up the browser:
- Tap and tap Settings.
- Under Settings, turn off Instant Search.
Disable News
To disable news:
- Tap and tap Settings.
- Under News, turn off News.
Change News language
To disable news:
- Tap and tap Settings.
- Under News, Choose Region.