How to Install Opera Browser on Linux Mint 21 or 20

Opera Browser is a popular web browser known for its speed, security, and unique features. It was developed by Opera Software and was first released in 1995. Opera is available on various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices. It is also popular among users who value privacy, including a built-in VPN and ad-blocker.

Despite the fierce competition in the web browser market, Opera has gained popularity over the years, and it is currently one of the top 5 web browsers in market share. This is partly due to its focus on speed and efficiency, with features like “Turbo mode,” which compresses web pages for faster loading times, and “Battery Saver,” which extends the battery life of laptops and mobile devices. Additionally, Opera’s unique features, such as “Opera Turbo” and “Opera Flow,” have attracted a loyal user base.

Opera Browser competes with other popular browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. While Chrome is known for its speed and user-friendly interface, Firefox is valued for its customization options and security features. However, Opera stands out for its built-in features, including the ad-blocker and VPN, which are not available in the standard versions of Chrome or Firefox.

If you want to try Opera Browser on Linux Mint, you can easily install it using the command line terminal. Opera provides an official apt repository for Linux users, which makes the installation process straightforward. With the command line, you can install the stable, beta, or developer versions of Opera.

Step 1: Update Linux Mint

It is highly recommended to start by updating your system packages to the latest version to avoid any issues. You can do this by running the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

This will update your system and ensure all system packages are up-to-date.

Step 2: Install the Required Packages

Next, you must ensure that the required dependencies are installed on your system. You can do this by running the following command:

sudo apt install dirmngr ca-certificates software-properties-common apt-transport-https curl -y

These are the most common software packages found on nearly all Linux distributions, so it is safe to install them.

Step 3: Import Opera Repository

The next step is to import the GPG key and repository straight from Opera. Importing the APT repository allows you to install alternative versions of Opera, such as Beta or Developer, alongside your stable browser.

First, import the GPG key by running the following command:

curl -fsSL https://deb.opera.com/archive.key | sudo gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/opera.gpg > /dev/null

Next, import Opera’s repository containing all the versions of Opera browser to install with the following command:

echo deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/opera.gpg] https://deb.opera.com/opera-stable/ stable non-free | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/opera.list

Step 4: Install Opera Browser

Once you have imported the repository, you can install Opera using the following. First, update your repository list to reflect the new repository changes.

sudo apt update

Now install the software with the following command.

sudo apt install opera-stable

Please note that you will be prompted to configure it to allow for more recent version upgrades. Select “NO,” then press the “ENTER KEY” to finish the installation.

If you select “YES,” you may find that updating has multiple conflicts. See the troubleshooting at the end of the tutorial if you enable this to fix the issue.

Example:

You can also install the beta version of Opera using the following command:

sudo apt install opera-beta

Please be aware that the beta version is usually behind the stable version, so be careful when using it. You could have an older client depending on Opera’s release cycle.

For those who want to use the bleeding-edge version of Opera, you can install the developer version by running the following command:

sudo apt install opera-developer

Step 5: Launch Opera Browser

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Opera Browser on your Linux Mint system. Now, you can launch Opera Browser in a few different ways.

First, you can run the following command in your terminal to launch Opera:

opera
opera-beta
opera-developer

However, this may not be practical for most desktop users. Instead, you can launch Opera from your desktop by following these simple steps:

1. Click on the “Taskbar” icon at the bottom of your desktop.
2. Go to the “Internet” category.
3. Select “Opera {version}” to launch the browser.

By default, the version of Opera you installed will be labeled as “Opera Stable.” If you installed the beta or developer version, it would be labeled accordingly.

Example:

When you launch Opera Browser for the first time, you will be greeted with the “Let’s go” screen, allowing you to customize your browser to suit your preferences. Here are some tips for first-time Opera Browser users:

1. Choose your theme: The first option on the “Let’s go” screen is to select your preferred theme. Opera provides a variety of themes, including a dark mode, to customize your browsing experience.
2. Set up your preferred search engine: Opera Browser has Google as the default search engine, but you can choose a different one. To change your search engine, click on the “Customize your start page” button on the “Let’s go” screen and then click on the “Settings” icon. From there, you can select your preferred search engine.
3. Enable built-in features: Opera Browser has several built-in features that enhance your browsing experience. For example, you can enable the built-in ad-blocker and VPN from the “Settings” menu.
4. Explore Opera’s features: Opera Browser has several unique features that stand out from other browsers, such as “Opera Turbo,” which speeds up your browsing experience, and “Opera Flow,” which allows you to share links and files between your devices. To learn more about Opera’s features, you can visit the Opera Help page.
5. Customize your browser: Opera Browser allows you to customize your browser to suit your preferences. For example, you can rearrange the order of your browser tabs or add extensions to enhance your browsing experience.
6. Sync your data: If you have multiple devices, you can sync your Opera data, including bookmarks and history, across all your devices. To do this, click on the “Customize your start page” button on the “Let’s go” screen and then click on the “Settings” icon. From there, you can set up Opera Sync.

For further information on how to use Opera Browser, you can visit the Opera Help page. This page provides detailed information on various Opera Browser features and how to use them effectively.

Example Opera Browser with Dark theme:

Additional Tips

Update Opera Browser

Most users rely on automatic updates, but to update Opera Browser through the terminal, follow these steps:

Run the following command to check for any updates in your system:

sudo apt update

If an update is available, run the upgrade option:

sudo apt upgrade

Alternatively, you can upgrade the Opera Browser package if an update is available using the following command:

Example for stable:

sudo apt upgrade opera-stable

If you have installed other versions, such as beta or developer, add “-beta” or “-developer” at the end of the command.

Remove (Uninstall) Opera Browser

To remove Opera Browser from your system, execute the following terminal command:

Remove Opera Browser Stable:

sudo apt remove opera-stable

Remove Opera Browser Beta:

sudo apt remove opera-beta

Remove Opera Browser Developer:

sudo apt remove opera-developer

Please note that unused dependencies will also be removed during this process.

If you no longer want to install or use Opera Browser, you can delete the Opera Repository using the following command:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/opera.list

Finally, to remove the GPG key, use the following command:

sudo rm /usr/share/keyrings/opera.gpg

Troubleshooting Multiple Sources.list

If you have installed multiple versions of Opera Browser, you may encounter conflicts when running the APT update command. To fix this issue, follow these steps:

1. Remove the extra sources.list using the following command:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/opera*

2. Add the original repository using the following command:

echo deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/opera.gpg] https://deb.opera.com/opera-stable/ stable non-free | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/opera.list

3. Run the APT update command:

sudo apt update

This should fix the issue; you will receive updates for all three browsers from one source.list instead of three.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Opera Browser is a popular and feature-rich web browser that offers unique features such as a built-in ad-blocker, VPN, and customization options. In this guide, we have demonstrated how to install Opera Browser on Linux Mint using the command line terminal and Opera’s official apt repository, providing options for installing Opera stable, beta, or developer versions.

We have also provided first-time Opera Browser users tips, including customizing your browser, exploring Opera’s features, and syncing your data across devices. Furthermore, we have explained how to update and remove Opera Browser from your system and provided troubleshooting tips for multiple sources.list conflicts.

Following this guide, you can easily install and customize Opera Browser to suit your preferences and enjoy its unique features and benefits.

FAQs on Opera Browser with Linux Mint