Block Trackers in Opera: Step-by-Step Guide

Updated 14 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide shows you how to block online trackers in the Opera browser, which stops third-party companies from collecting data about your browsing habits. You’ll learn how to enable Opera’s built-in tracker blocker, adjust its settings, and verify it’s working. No special tools or extensions are required—just a few clicks in the browser’s settings.

What You’ll Need

A computer or mobile device with Opera installed (desktop version 70 or later, or the latest Opera for Android/iOS).
Administrator access to your device (to change browser settings).
An internet connection (to check if the blocker is working).

Step-by-Step

Open Opera on your device. If you don’t have it, download and install it from the official Opera website.
Go to Settings. On desktop, click the Opera menu (the red “O” icon in the top-left corner), then select “Settings.” On mobile, tap the menu icon (three dots or lines) and choose “Settings.”
Find Privacy & Security. In the Settings page, look for the “Privacy & Security” section in the left sidebar (desktop) or scroll down to it (mobile). Click or tap it.
Enable Tracker Blocker. In the Privacy & Security section, you’ll see a toggle labeled “Block trackers.” Turn it on. If it’s already on, you can skip this step.
Choose the Blocking Level (desktop only). After enabling, click “Tracker Blocker” or the gear icon next to it. You’ll see two options: “Basic” (blocks only known trackers) and “Enhanced” (blocks more trackers, but may break some site features). Select the level you prefer. Enhanced is recommended for maximum privacy, but if a site doesn’t load properly, switch to Basic.
Manage Exceptions (optional). In the same Tracker Blocker settings, you can add sites to an exception list. If a website you trust needs to load trackers (e.g., for payment processing), type the site’s address and click “Add.” This ensures the site works correctly.
Verify It’s Working. After enabling, visit a website that uses trackers (like a news site or online store). Click the shield icon in the address bar (desktop) or the menu icon (mobile) to see the tracker blocker status. It should show the number of trackers blocked on that page.
Check the Blocked Count. On desktop, the shield icon will show a badge with the number of trackers blocked on the current page. On mobile, tap the shield icon (if visible) or go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracker Blocker to see the total blocked count.
Test with a Tracker Detector (optional). To verify the blocker works, visit a site like “Panopticlick” (from the EFF) or “Cover Your Tracks” and run their test. It should show that your browser blocks most tracking scripts.

Common Mistakes

Not enabling the blocker—it’s off by default in some versions. Make sure the toggle is actually on.
Using “Basic” when you need “Enhanced”—if you want maximum protection, choose Enhanced, but be aware it may break some sites.
Forgetting to add exceptions—if a site doesn’t work after enabling the blocker, you might need to add it to the exception list.
Expecting it to block all ads—the tracker blocker is not an ad blocker. It only stops tracking scripts, not ads themselves.
Not updating Opera—older versions may not have the tracker blocker feature. Update to the latest version.

Tips

Use the “Enhanced” level for better privacy, but switch to “Basic” if you encounter broken websites.
Combine the tracker blocker with Opera’s built-in ad blocker (if available) for a more complete privacy solution.
Clear your cookies and site data regularly to remove any trackers already stored.
Use a VPN (Opera has a free one built-in) for an extra layer of anonymity.
Check the shield icon periodically to see how many trackers are being blocked—this gives you peace of mind.

Troubleshooting

If the tracker blocker isn’t working as expected, try these steps:

Restart Opera—close and reopen the browser to apply changes.
Update Opera—go to Menu > Help > About Opera, and it will automatically check for updates. Install any available updates.
Check the toggle—make sure the “Block trackers” switch is still on. Some updates may reset it.
Clear browser cache—go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Clear browsing data, and clear cached images and files. This can fix temporary glitches.
Disable conflicting extensions—if you have other privacy extensions (like ad blockers), they may interfere. Disable them temporarily to see if the tracker blocker starts working.
Reset settings—as a last resort, go to Settings > Advanced > Reset settings. This will restore Opera to its default state, but you’ll lose your customizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Opera’s tracker blocker work on all websites?

It works on most websites, but some sites (especially those with complex tracking systems) may still use trackers. The blocker uses a list of known trackers, so it’s effective against common ones.

Will the tracker blocker slow down my browsing?

No, it generally doesn’t slow down browsing. In fact, blocking trackers can speed up page loading because fewer scripts are loaded.

Can I see which trackers are blocked?

Yes, on desktop, click the shield icon in the address bar to see a list of blocked trackers on the current page. On mobile, you can see the total count in Settings.

Is the tracker blocker the same as a VPN?

No, they are different. The tracker blocker stops websites from tracking you, while a VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your traffic. Opera has both features.

Does the tracker blocker work in private browsing mode?

Yes, the tracker blocker works in private browsing (Incognito) mode as well. It’s enabled by default in that mode.

Will blocking trackers break websites?

Sometimes, especially with the “Enhanced” level, a website may not function properly (e.g., login buttons not working). In that case, add the site to the exception list or switch to “Basic.”

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.