The move addresses the needs of 94% of mobile users who have requested increased password protection features, particularly when sharing devices with family or friends.

The new Locked Mode allows users to set a PIN that is independent of the device’s main lock code, which secures their tabs, history, and stored data, thus granting them greater control over their mobile browsing. 

Users can now share their phone with family and friends, comfortable in the knowledge that data and browsing history are private and accessible only to them. 

A simple switch allows users to toggle between regular browsing and Locked Mode, which ensures that sensitive personal information, like medical or financial statements, remains truly private.

“Opera Mini’s new PIN-Locked Browsing and Private Downloads redefine how users experience the web on shared devices, ensuring that personal information remains personal. By focusing on what users need most – privacy and security – Opera Mini is setting new standards in mobile browsing,” said Jørgen Arnesen, EVP of Mobile at Opera. 

“This commitment is transforming user interactions on shared devices, building a foundation of trust and reliability that stands at the forefront of the mobile industry.”

PIN-protected Browsing

Unlike in most browsers, Opera Mini users will be prompted to set a unique PIN that is different to their device PIN when activating Locked Mode for the first time. This enhances control over privacy, particularly for users who are prone to sharing an unlocked device with friends and family. 

Once Locked Mode is activated, all new tabs opened and data entered – such as URLs and search queries – are encrypted. These tabs and data are visible only when Locked Mode is active and unlocked with the correct PIN. 

Furthermore, the browsing history within Locked Mode remains inaccessible from the standard browsing mode, ensuring that any sites visited or searches made are kept private and visible only when Locked Mode is re-entered.

Users can activate Locked Mode from the O-Menu or through the tabs switcher view in Opera Mini, allowing for an easy switch between standard and secure browsing modes.

Responding to User Demand for Privacy 

Opera’s commitment to privacy is a response to clear user preferences. Brand surveys in markets such as Nigeria and Kenya show that privacy is the primary factor driving browser selection, with more than 90% of users citing it as crucial. 

The Opera Mini PIN-Locked Browsing directly addresses these concerns, offering a solution that prevents unauthorized access and ensures that personal information remains confidential.

Previously, the platform introduced Private Downloads as a first step towards completely private browsing, which will be achieved with the latest update.

This incredible achievement is a testament to the browser’s widespread popularity and the trust it has garnered from users worldwide.

The company first launched Opera Mini 18 years ago to address the challenges faced by users in accessing the internet on mobile devices – particularly in regions with limited network connectivity and slower internet speeds.

“We recognized the need for a browser that could deliver a fast and efficient browsing experience, bringing access to the web to mobile devices.

“And so Opera Mini was developed with a clear mission in mind: to make the internet accessible to everyone. The team behind Opera Mini envisioned a browser that could bridge the digital divide and empower users to explore the vast online world, no matter where they were located. This commitment to inclusivity and accessibility has been a driving force behind Opera Mini’s success.

“The key has been Opera Mini’s Data Compression technology, which allows users to save up to 90% of their data while browsing. And so, especially in areas where the cost of data is high, Opera Mini has served – and is still serving – as a first window to the web for millions of people.

“The browser has been especially successful across Africa, where the cost of data is among the highest in the world. African users require a practical and reliable tool that enables them to browse the web with ease while consuming less data. Now Opera has over 90% brand awareness across the continent, having built up a vast and loyal user base for deliberately designing mobile products with the African market in mind.

“When the world went online at the start of the pandemic, Opera doubled down on its commitment to providing affordable access to the internet by launching free data campaigns.

“In partnership with the leading telecommunications companies across Sub-Saharan Africa, Opera has provided over 40 million people with up to 3GB of free browsing through Opera Mini. And we continue to expand, having recently partnered with Safaricom to launch the first free data campaign in Ethiopia.

“This initiative has helped to empower users throughout the continent, enabling them to establish businesses, connect with loved ones, and embark on educational journeys, all with greater ease and affordability.

Apart from its data-saving capabilities, Opera Mini is also noteworthy for its speed and security features. The browser compresses and optimizes content before it reaches users, so that pages load faster even on slow connections. Furthermore, Opera Mini comes with a built-in ad blocker, which not only saves data but also provides for smoother browsing”, a statement by the company reads.