Get Opera Mobile for Android here, and learn tips about our new product

May 25, 2013 · by Espen André Øverdahl

Since we launched the new Opera browser for Android on May 21, a lot of you have sent us your feedback, which we are extremely thankful for. We're now in the process of improving the new product, and making a better browser based on what you have told us so far.

Some of you have had a bumpy ride with the new product, and we are sorry to hear that. If you are experiencing difficulties with the latest upgrade, we recommend that you give the old version of Opera Mobile a try while we iron things out with the new version. You can download that here: http://opera.com/o/omc

Meanwhile, our latest version of Opera for Android has been updated as of May 29 to address a number of known issues.

We would like to use this opportunity to address some things that are to come, and a few useful tips and tricks:

Opera Link

Opera Link is available in a web version for the Opera for Android browser. The web version is accessible through the Settings page under the Opera logo in the browser. We plan on expanding the Opera Link feature in the future.

Exit button

To exit Opera, simply long-press the back button to access the quick history navigation menu. Along with a list of previously visited pages, you will find an exit option.

Fit to screen

This feature is now disabled by default, but you can easily re-enable this in Settings.

Full screen mode

In portrait mode, the address bar will hide automatically when the page is scrolled; in landscape mode, it is accessible by clicking the full-screen button.

Address and navigation bar on top

We have moved the navigation bar to the top of the screen. If you would rather have the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen, this can be changed in Settings.

Please continue to send us your feedback on the new product so we can improve and build an even greater browser for you.

Readers' comments 50

Left under the original article, as archived; 1 page of comments could not be recovered.

bulletproofmilkSaturday, May 25, 2013 11:13:30 AM
Are you planning on bringing back bookmarks (including folders and subfolders) or will the speed dial feature replace traditional bookmarks in the long run?
pogue972Saturday, May 25, 2013 11:20:00 AM
I'm sticking with Opera Mobile with Presto until it stops working. Why another webkit browser? The pinch to zoom feature is now broken, link is broken, bookmarks are broken, the interface is just a Chrome clone.

Presto was a very advanced engine with exceptional features and dropping support for it dropped Opera from a first class mobile browsing experience into a far less superior and buggy product that's unpleasant to use.

I'm sorry if I'm being harsh, but I think this change was a big mistake. I understand companies have to make a profit, and switching from a proprietary engine to a open source one makes sense on that level. I also understand many websites make the poor choice to support mostly webkit browsers. You're better than this Opera!

If you can't or won't revert back to Presto, at least release it to open source so other developers can use its functionality to incorporate those features that made Opera great into other browsers.
pedro saraivaSaturday, May 25, 2013 11:28:38 AM
Originally posted by pogue972:

I'm sticking with Opera Mobile with Presto until it stops working. Why another webkit browser? The pinch to zoom feature is now broken, link is broken, bookmarks are broken, the interface is just a Chrome clone.

Presto was a very advanced engine with exceptional features and dropping support for it dropped Opera from a first class mobile browsing experience into a far less superior and buggy product that's unpleasant to use.

I'm sorry if I'm being harsh, but I think this change was a big mistake. I understand companies have to make a profit, and switching from a proprietary engine to a open source one makes sense on that level. I also understand many websites make the poor choice to support mostly webkit browsers. You're better than this Opera!

If you can't or won't revert back to Presto, at least release it to open source so other developers can use its functionality to incorporate those features that made Opera great into other browsers.
+1 And I think that You should make available in Play Store the previous version . Users did not liked the new version and they want the last version (Mobile 12) If you do not do that they will switch browser, and good bye market share. I didn´t upgrade... it is so slow. blank screen, and screen flickering when the screen rotates a couple of times.
solsektorSaturday, May 25, 2013 11:47:52 AM
I actually like the new Opera Mobile for the most part but there are some things that I'd like to have fixed.

- The startup takes forever on my Samsung Galaxy S2 (GT-I9100). While it isn't the newest phone, it should be powerful enough to run Opera smoothly. Opera 12 loaded in 1-2 seconds. Opera 14 takes anywhere from 5 to 10 seconds

- I really dislike that the address bar disappears when scrolling. I'd like an option for it to remain where it is - or at least let it pop up again when I press the menu key (right now only the O-menu appears which is totally useless)
(I'd also like the address bar to be black instead of white but that's just my personal taste)

- The animations when switching tabs look nice but they take too long. They should be shorter so that I can switch through tabs more smoothly.

Can't wait for the Tablet version by the way. The old Opera Mobile often freezes on pages like Facebook or Flickr (or any page that relies heavily on all that javascript and ajax nonsense). Opera 14 works a lot better on these pages, at least on my phone.
retro-pelaajaSaturday, May 25, 2013 2:13:32 PM
You should to improve new Opera browser much. After yesterday it doesn't compatible on my HTC Desire Z anymore. Only Opera beta and mini are compatible. Here is also list, what you should to fix or add:

1. Bring back Adobe Flash support. Most sites uses it instead of HTML5.

2. Add function, which hides status bar.

3. Browser lags too much, uses too much RAM and it loads webpages slowly.

4. Browser crashes always without off-road mode on samsung galaxy xcover.

5. Opera Link is not integrated.
Anna RohlederSaturday, May 25, 2013 2:24:12 PM
Originally posted by pedrosaraqiva:

Originally posted by pogue972:
I'm sticking with Opera Mobile with Presto until it stops working. Why another webkit browser? The pinch to zoom feature is now broken, link is broken, bookmarks are broken, the interface is just a Chrome clone.

Presto was a very advanced engine with exceptional features and dropping support for it dropped Opera from a first class mobile browsing experience into a far less superior and buggy product that's unpleasant to use.

I'm sorry if I'm being harsh, but I think this change was a big mistake. I understand companies have to make a profit, and switching from a proprietary engine to a open source one makes sense on that level. I also understand many websites make the poor choice to support mostly webkit browsers. You're better than this Opera!

If you can't or won't revert back to Presto, at least release it to open source so other developers can use its functionality to incorporate those features that made Opera great into other browsers.

+1

And I think that You should make available in Play Store the previous version .

Users did not liked the new version and they want the last version (Mobile 12)

If you do not do that they will switch browser, and good bye market share.

I didn´t upgrade... it is so slow. blank screen, and screen flickering when the screen rotates a couple of times.
If you'd like to go back to the last version of Opera Mobile, you can get it here: http://www.opera.com/mobile/download/versions/
Anna RohlederSaturday, May 25, 2013 2:30:20 PM
Originally posted by bulletproofmilk:

Are you planning on bringing back bookmarks (including folders and subfolders) or will the speed dial feature replace traditional bookmarks in the long run?

Speed Dial will replace bookmarks in the long term.
Thu WinSaturday, May 25, 2013 3:08:13 PM
Could you add the following features:

* Autofill of details
* Support for multiple passwords
* Bookmarks like Opera 12
* PDF support (not a necessary but it would be nice)
* Flash support (if you have installed the plugin)
* Support for plugins like BBC Media Player

The launch of Opera 14 made me jump ship to Google Chrome as it has more advance features (though I hate the inability to arrange bookmarks and save pages offline like Opera could)
Anna RohlederSaturday, May 25, 2013 3:27:06 PM
Originally posted by wikipedian:

Could you add the following features:

* Autofill of details
* Support for multiple passwords
* Bookmarks like Opera 12
* PDF support (not a necessary but it would be nice)
* Flash support (if you have installed the plugin)
* Support for plugins like BBC Media Player

The launch of Opera 14 made me jump ship to Google Chrome as it has more advance features (though I hate the inability to arrange bookmarks and save pages offline like Opera could)
Sorry to hear 14 didn't work for you. But we appreciate your feedback, and hope that you'll keep checking back as we work to improve the next version of Opera.
RobsonSaturday, May 25, 2013 4:14:00 PM
On my lg p698 he was heavy, slow to 800mghz cpu. Is there anyway or any improvements to this build?
Thu WinSaturday, May 25, 2013 4:46:43 PM
Oh and before I forget, editing search engine is gone with O14 too.
Rafael LuikSaturday, May 25, 2013 8:36:45 PM
Originally posted by AnnaMetro:

Speed Dial will replace bookmarks in the long term.
Anna, are you an Opera employee?
jkfordeSaturday, May 25, 2013 8:46:10 PM
It is cute and all that but I wont give up using Opera Labs version with extension support [http://dev.opera.com/articles/view/extensions-opera-mobile-labs/] until extension support is included in the official mobile version. IMO having Ghostery is a no-brainer, it's so good.
artoor32Saturday, May 25, 2013 10:18:56 PM
Opera:config not work in op14.I need it...
JulianSunday, May 26, 2013 12:13:41 AM
La versión de esta publicación está disponible también en Español:
(The Spanish version of this post is available at:)
http://my.opera.com/espanol/blog/2013/05/25/opera-mobile-clasico-y-consejos-sobre-el-nuevo-opera

BTW: You can directly get the apk (and any other version of Opera for mobile) at: http://www.opera.com/mobile/download/versions/
Erik HauboldSunday, May 26, 2013 1:07:39 AM
Originally posted by AnnaMetro:

Sorry to hear 14 didn't work for you. But we appreciate your feedback, and hope that you'll keep checking back as we work to improve the next version of Opera.

actually, if the dev's would respect the feedback from the forums, this would have never happened. and even now: instead of giving, what users want, opera keeps on going, dev's wont tell anything about upcoming features or problems they are working on, ... .

thats not how a really active community, like opera has(had?) it, should be handled
Heath RatliffSunday, May 26, 2013 2:47:54 AM
Google Opera v14 now has over 30k 1 star reviews on Google play, two days ago they had 25k, which means over 5k 1 star reviews in two days, mine included. I used Real Opera because it was different. I don't need Google Android native WebKit AND Google Chrome AND Google Chrome Clone Opera v14...

Reverted to v12, and halted updates, and I vehemently request a fork in the project... if you insist on mimicking the competition with Google Opera v14 at least branch off the v12 into a separate product so that Real Opera Mobile is still available to purists.
operafan59Sunday, May 26, 2013 8:55:21 AM
Great I will dowload and test it
Rathod amitSunday, May 26, 2013 9:54:51 AM
Ple, for Java & s40
MichaelSunday, May 26, 2013 10:46:58 AM
You have changed Opera (classic) from an outstanding, functional and all needs fulfilling browser (including link) to a poor functional, unperfect, without basic functions useless clone of chrome!
If I would like to surf with Chrome I would choose the original one!

More clicks to switch between tabs, no flash, no Opera Link, no tablet support

Has just deleted the 14. and will stay on classic.
Anna RohlederSunday, May 26, 2013 4:47:02 PM
Originally posted by rafaelluik:

Originally posted by AnnaMetro:
Speed Dial will replace bookmarks in the long term.
Anna, are you an Opera employee?

I guess you haven't seen my earlier blog posts on Choose Opera, but yes, I am indeed an Opera employee!
NimeshSunday, May 26, 2013 5:06:00 PM
@Anna: What are the features being worked upon currently and what are in plans?

We know Opera employees are working hard for providing great products and I hope Opera can help the users by posting such information that will keep the user's informed and stay with Opera.

Keep up the good work.
Nik MetzSunday, May 26, 2013 5:10:54 PM
I liked Opera because it is secure, fast, European and innovative.I can probably stay on Opera on my Linux system. But I miss the Presto engine on my Android tablet. I understand the commercial situation of having a big engineering dept but only Presto made it what it was.
I used Opera since 2001 but I see myself more working with Chrome and I guess I have to in the future.
Sorry Opera I liked it but WTF is 14? Where is the difference to the rest?
Rafael LuikSunday, May 26, 2013 5:15:59 PM
Originally posted by AnnaMetro:

Originally posted by rafaelluik:
Originally posted by AnnaMetro:
Speed Dial will replace bookmarks in the long term.
Anna, are you an Opera employee?
I guess you haven't seen my earlier blog posts on Choose Opera, but yes, I am indeed an Opera employee!
Yes Anna I didn't remember them and haven't seen Opera Employees group in your profile that's why I asked, sorry. Thanks!
Spadar ShutSunday, May 26, 2013 5:52:32 PM
The new browser is very slow on Android 2.3 device (which I can understand, but somehow other browsers manage to run fast) and it's still lagging a bit (the UI, even without pages open) on a Nexus 7 tablet, which is unacceptable!
Nik MetzSunday, May 26, 2013 9:29:56 PM
Classic: I love you AS long as they have no Presto features in 14.x
Andreas FroebelMonday, May 27, 2013 9:16:08 AM
please add a refresh-button to the lower navigation bar
Bassey1976Monday, May 27, 2013 9:56:16 AM
why is the user agent option disabled? There are several other options disabled in the settings screen. Are these things you are working on? It all looks a bit of a mess. Been using Opera on mobiles since the UIQ devices a decade ago but this looks pretty poor. Looks like a pre-beta release.
Rafael LuikMonday, May 27, 2013 4:24:49 PM
Originally posted by Bassey1976:

why is the user agent option disabled? There are several other options disabled in the settings screen. Are these things you are working on?
You seem to have enabled Off-road, some options are disabled in this mode.
espoo1aMonday, May 27, 2013 8:36:49 PM
Opera 14 puts the old bookmarks into a speed dial folder called "legacy bookmarks" with the old folder structure intact. It then offers to "convert" these to speed dials, but this destroys all the folders!

This leaves the user with a single folder containing a chaotic mess of hundreds of unorganized bookmarks! How is it possible that Opera engineers didn't notice this major bug? And how is it possible that users are complaining about the minor annoyance of bookmarks moved to the speed dial screen and not complaining about the major problem of deleted subfolders?

In addition, some users are reporting loss of all bookmarks. This seems to be especially a problem with users who didn't have Opera Link enabled.
ErikMonday, May 27, 2013 10:50:39 PM
new to the news... I just bought a smart phone last november i think and I've been using Opera 12 and is amazing what I've just read... well, keeping 12. Even if Opera asked me to pay if having that strange permission of: "...take pictures at any time.." I wouldn't. (e.g. QuickPic is a 'camera' app and doesn't ask for such things.

Please Opera, continue making great products but just the ones that really make you stand out from THE others. Opera 14...
Rafael LuikMonday, May 27, 2013 11:12:26 PM
Opera 12 also requires camera permission. The permissions haven't changed from 12 to 14.
Originally posted by dagolav:

* Camera
- Required to be able to access the camera device.

Used by the HTML5 getUserMediaAPI for capturing camera input. Each time a domain tries to access the device's camera, Opera Mobile will ask the user for permission to activate the camera. When the camera is used, an overlay icon will be visible on the page. Camera access for a domain can be revoked at any time.
http://my.opera.com/community/forums/topic.dml?id=972232

I believe some apps, even "camera" ones, don't require camera permission because they send you to the stock camera app to take the picture and them open the file back in the app. Opera on the other hand let pages directly control and display the image captured by the camera, other apps for example have a personalized (custom controls) screen when you take shots as part of their features, in these cases the apps need to request the permission to work.

"at any time" line is just a warning from Google. They display horrifying warnings for each permission, but that just means the app may be able to do that with the permission granted, not that it does.
Chukwuebuka AnadobiTuesday, May 28, 2013 12:56:25 PM
Very good
Yasin RahmaniTuesday, May 28, 2013 11:00:41 PM
sites like Facebook are filtered in Iran and we can't access it as usually. before we with opera mini could open these sites but now and new versions of Opera can't.
Reyo StallenbergWednesday, May 29, 2013 8:22:13 AM
Originally posted by espoo1a:

Opera 14 puts the old bookmarks into a speed dial folder called "legacy bookmarks" with the old folder structure intact. It then offers to "convert" these to speed dials, but this destroys all the folders!

This leaves the user with a single folder containing a chaotic mess of hundreds of unorganized bookmarks! How is it possible that Opera engineers didn't notice this major bug? And how is it possible that users are complaining about the minor annoyance of bookmarks moved to the speed dial screen and not complaining about the major problem of deleted subfolders?

In addition, some users are reporting loss of all bookmarks. This seems to be especially a problem with users who didn't have Opera Link enabled.
I'm very disappointed. Now got a slow browser on my galaxy s advance with a mess of bookmarks. I used to have a nice structure of subfolders. Don't understand what was wrong with the bookmark system on the previous opera. Back to 'classic' but lost my bookmarks... Argh!
ErikWednesday, May 29, 2013 7:46:26 PM
Thank you @Rafael Luik , I hope Opera could 'improve' less what is a really great product now... I know it's only the base now, but they already done something similar with the lovely desktop version... 15, . In fact, Chrome makes me - puke smiley -
rio sadewoThursday, May 30, 2013 2:36:59 PM
okeoke mending kita ngopi dululahhh
Don RoyFriday, May 31, 2013 1:11:54 PM
So 'Fit To Screen' can be enabled in Settings? Not that I can find in the Settings of my 14.0.1074.58201 version.
Rafael LuikFriday, May 31, 2013 3:49:47 PM
Originally posted by JeeperDon:

So 'Fit To Screen' can be enabled in Settings? Not that I can find in the Settings of my 14.0.1074.58201 version.
He meant "text wrap", that's the correct name of the setting.
agnesscagglepussSaturday, June 1, 2013 6:29:42 PM
"Anna R " - FAIL this chick or dude is no opera employee! Give me a break. They'd identify themselves as such when they post and her reply is ridiculous as follows:

"I guess you haven't seen my earlier blog posts on Choose Opera, but yes, I am indeed an Opera employee!"
agnesscagglepussSaturday, June 1, 2013 6:32:36 PM
Rafael, you nailed it. Anna Roedeler is NOT Opera Employee.
Rafael LuikSaturday, June 1, 2013 8:22:06 PM
Originally posted by agnesscagglepuss:

Rafael, you nailed it. Anna Roedeler is NOT Opera Employee.
No, she actually is. Look at this search and you'll see posts she made here in Choose Opera. Only employees have permission to do that.
www.google.com/search?q=Anna+Rohleder+site%3Amy.opera.com%2Fchooseopera

Everything she said was also confirmed by other Opera employees. Like Speed Dial replacing bookmarks, they don't have plans to bring back classic bookmarks at the moment.
Fathima Rifqa GhaffarSunday, June 2, 2013 1:49:44 PM
I am using Opera Beta (Android jellybean) also I have the Opera mini classic as well. I need to stick to one opera. In that case I chose Opera Beta. Is it OK if I uninstall Opera classic?
Rafael LuikSunday, June 2, 2013 8:22:09 PM
Originally posted by Ishq40:

I am using Opera Beta (Android jellybean) also I have the Opera mini classic as well. I need to stick to one opera. In that case I chose Opera Beta. Is it OK if I uninstall Opera classic?
If you like the new Opera just install the stable version. It's called simply "Opera browser" in the market. There's a "Mini mode" built-in, it's named "Off-road" there so yes you can uninstall Opera Mobile/Classic and Mini also just make sure you won't lose your stuff doing this (as saved pages are tied with the software and the bookmarks also if you don't use Opera Link).
Fathima Rifqa GhaffarTuesday, June 4, 2013 11:10:32 AM
Thank you very much for the response. Yes indeed I checked the book marks there isn't a bookmark at all except for the page save. :blush: :blush: How to quote in Opera Beta? I tried the old way but I couldn't get to select the verses which I wanted to quote.( I tried in my mobile)
Rafael LuikTuesday, June 4, 2013 7:15:51 PM
I'm unable to select text to quote in this site be it in Mobile 12 or in the new Opera 14, I can only press quote and it quotes the whole comment...

So are your saved pages in Opera Mobile or Mini? If they're in Mini you'll need to keep it if you need those offline pages (if you can't save them again in Mobile). Regarding Opera Mobile I'm not sure if they're carried over in the update to 14, from what I remember I believe they're and you need to save an additional random page and all your other saved pages will show up.
Mohamed Taher AhmedWednesday, June 5, 2013 4:49:31 PM
Thank You very much for the chance offered . I think I'm having a good start wih my Opera especially with your help and I have to say that it really have good remarks . I hope to be able to add more significant information that will help in the improvement of it in the future . Please accept my best and sincere thanks.
Fathima Rifqa GhaffarThursday, June 6, 2013 12:25:53 PM
Thank you Opera for saving the Bookmarks. Unlike Opera mini, in Opera Beta when the link being clicked a message appears saying our bookmarks are saved. :thank you
operagurkeSunday, June 9, 2013 2:55:59 PM
Where's the new Version for the iPhone?????
AleksanderTuesday, June 11, 2013 3:01:12 PM
Where is the Android for MIPS platform version??? Halo???? All you need to do is to check the flag and let compiler do its thing. There are MIPS based devices in the world, too....