Are you experiencing tab overload in your browser? The Opera browser for Android has recently rolled out an impressive update for tab management, enabling users to efficiently organize their tabs and locate what they need with ease.
Before diving into these exciting features, ensure that your Opera browser is updated to the latest version—version 89 or higher—released in May 2025. To check your current version, follow these steps:
- Open Opera and tap the profile icon located at the bottom left corner.
- Press the Settings cog at the top right corner of the window.
- Scroll down and select About Opera to view your version number.
If your version is 89 or newer, you’re ready to enhance your tab management experience!
Also, make sure you’re utilizing the standard version of Opera, as it comes in various editions including a gaming-focused variant and a more leisurely browsing version.
1. Selecting Your Preferred Tab Layout
The most dynamic aspect of managing tabs in Opera is the option to choose a tab layout that resonates with your browsing style. Opera offers three distinct layouts: list, carousel, and grid. While many browsers default to a grid layout, I personally find the list layout much more user-friendly.
To switch layouts, open at least two tabs, tap the Tabs icon next to your profile icon at the bottom right, and then tap the Tab Layout icon to cycle through the available options. This flexibility allows you to choose a layout that feels most intuitive to you.
Personally, I prefer the carousel layout when I have fewer tabs open, as it allows for a more visual browsing experience, but I can easily understand how the grid layout could benefit heavy users.
2. Organizing with Tab Islands
Instead of conventional tab groups, Opera introduces the innovative concept of tab islands. This feature allows you to gather related tabs together in a single island or group while still viewing them separately in your tab layouts.
To create a tab island:
- Tap the Tabs icon at the bottom right to reveal all your open tabs.
- Long-press on any tab and drag it onto another tab to form your first island. Opera refers to these as Group by default.
If you decide to disband a group, just tap the three-dot icon of any group and hit Ungroup. You can also close the entire group or selectively manage individual tabs within it.
For a more organized approach with larger numbers of tabs, you can long-press any tab, tap the three-dot menu, choose Move to group, and select the designated island. This method is particularly effective when using the carousel layout.
Once you’ve formed an island, tap it to minimize it to a single tab icon, then tap again to expand and review its contents. Naming your groups using the Edit feature can also significantly enhance navigation, especially when managing several islands.
3. Closing and Restoring Tabs with Ease
The Opera browser makes it effortless to manage your tabs by allowing you to close multiple tabs or tab islands at once, a significant improvement over closing each tab individually.
To close multiple tabs:
- Access the Tabs icon from any open Opera window.
- Long-press the first tab you wish to close, then tap on any other tabs you want to include.
- Tap the three-dot menu at the top right and choose Close tabs.
If you need to close an entire tab island, simply hit the three-dot menu inside that group and select Close all tabs.
Accidentally closed a crucial tab? No need to panic. To restore tabs, tap the Tabs icon to view all open tabs and choose the Recently closed tabs button at the bottom left. Opera allows you to recover up to 100 of your recently closed tabs!
Tap the three dots beside any link to retrieve it easily.
4. Instantly Searching for Tabs
For those who push the limits of tab keeping, Opera’s new Search feature allows you to swiftly locate any tab by inputting keywords. Rather than scrolling endlessly through your tabs, this feature streamlines your browsing experience.
Simply enter a relevant keyword to find your specific page in the tab list and click on your desired result.
5. Muting Tabs for a Quieter Experience
If you encounter troublesome audio from certain tabs, there’s no need to close them or silence your device. Instead, simply mute the tabs within Opera.
You have three options to mute tabs:
- Long-press an individual tab, then tap on the three-dot menu at the top right and select Mute.
- On an expanded group or island, tap the three dots menu and choose Mute.
- For a quick solution, tap the three-dot menu at the bottom right and select Mute all to address all sound sources in one go.
If you’ve never explored the Opera browser, now is an excellent time to start. Many users prefer its robust features over options like Chrome and Edge. With improved tab management tools, using Opera on Android becomes even more appealing and streamlined.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I update my Opera browser on Android?
To update your Opera browser, visit the Google Play Store, search for “Opera, ”and select the update option if available. Ensure your device is connected to the internet to download the latest features.
2. Can I use the Opera browser on my tablet?
Yes! The Opera browser is compatible with both Android smartphones and tablets, offering a similar browsing experience across all devices.
3. Is it possible to sync tabs across multiple devices with Opera?
Absolutely! By signing into your Opera account, you can sync your tabs, bookmarks, and settings across all devices, providing seamless access no matter where you are browsing.
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