Opera has rolled out a major update to its iOS browser, Opera One, introducing what it calls the most advanced tab management system on the platform. This release aims to bring desktop-level organization and flexibility to iPhone and iPad users, solving one of the most common frustrations: managing dozens of open tabs.
For years, Opera has positioned itself as an alternative to Safari and Chrome, offering features like built-in ad blocking, VPN services, and AI-powered browsing. With this update, the company is focusing specifically on productivity, giving users more intuitive ways to navigate, organize, and control their browsing sessions on mobile.
The new system introduces multiple ways to manage tabs. Users can switch between a grid view and a list view, depending on whether they prefer visual previews or a compact layout. The grid makes it easy to identify pages at a glance, while the list view is designed for faster handling of large numbers of tabs. Switching between these views is done through a simple icon in the tab gallery’s bottom bar.
Opera has also added tab grouping to its iOS browser. Groups can be color-coded and named, allowing users to keep related pages together. This makes it easier to manage different contexts, like separating research from shopping or keeping work and personal tabs distinct. On iPad, the grouping system is modeled after Opera’s Tab Islands feature from the desktop version, keeping the experience consistent across devices.
Finding specific pages is faster too, thanks to a new search tool built directly into the tab gallery. Instead of scrolling through long lists, users can type part of a title or URL to quickly locate the tab they need. Opera has also redesigned the gallery interface to make navigation between normal tabs, private browsing, and synced tabs from other devices smoother.
Alongside these updates, Opera has improved customization and AI access. The main menu can now be rearranged to fit personal preferences, and the company’s Aria AI assistant is available with a single tap from the center of the bottom bar. Aria has also been enhanced with better responses for practical topics like recipes, shopping, and gaming.
This update continues Opera’s nearly 30-year history of innovating the browser experience, starting from when it first introduced browser tabs. The redesigned tab system is now available through the latest Opera One for iOS update, which can be downloaded for free from the App Store.
