Opera Browser for Android 101.3.5178.90032

Opera Browser 101.3.5178.90032 for Android is the full-featured mobile browser from Opera, and you can download it free from Google Play. It offers tabs, private browsing, a customisable start page and sync with Opera on your computer, and it comes from a browser maker with a long history.

Overview

Opera's history goes back to 10 April 1995. Over the decades it has changed engines, from its own Presto to WebKit-based technology, and today it runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and ChromeOS. The Android version is the full Opera browser, not to be confused with the lighter Opera Mini. It opens to a start page with speed dial shortcuts and a news feed you can switch off, and it handles the usual mobile tasks: tabs, private tabs, bookmarks, downloads and saved passwords. Opera also syncs with the desktop browser, so you can send a page from the phone to the computer and back. People pick it when they already use Opera on a PC, when they want a browser with a distinctive look and built-in extras, or when they want an alternative to the browser that came with the phone.

App details

The Android numbering differs from the desktop Opera line, so the version on your PC will look unrelated.

Installing Opera on Android

1. Open Google Play and search for Opera Browser.
2. Check that the developer is Opera and tap Install.
3. Open the app and choose whether to set it as the default browser.
4. Sign in with an Opera account to sync with your computer.

Links to every version are on the official Opera download page.

Requirements

Google Play checks compatibility for Android devices. Opera's own requirements page covers the desktop versions for Windows, macOS and Linux.

Making it yours

Spend a minute on the start page: remove speed dial tiles you never use, add the sites you open daily and hide the news feed if you find it distracting. Choosing your preferred search engine and turning on dark mode for web pages are two more quick wins.

Privacy and safety

Install Opera only from Google Play or opera.com. Review the privacy settings after installing: you can turn off personalised news, block trackers and clear browsing data when you exit. Be cautious with notification requests from websites, since accepting too many turns the phone into an ad board.

Price

Opera is free to download and use, with no paid version of the browser.

Pros and cons

• Pro: syncs with Opera on the desktop.
• Pro: customisable start page with speed dial.
• Con: the news feed and promotions need switching off.
• Con: larger app than lightweight browsers.

Alternatives

Opera Mini is the lighter sibling in the same category. Google Chrome, Firefox, Brave Browser and UC Browser are other Android browsers to compare.