Opera has added an option that turns on the browser’s free built-in VPN automatically whenever the device connects to a public Wi-Fi network, according to an announcement on the Opera security blog.
The feature launched on September 24, 2026 and is rolling out to users in the United States and France first. It is switched off by default, so users need to enable it in the browser settings before it does anything.
The addition targets a common gap in VPN use: people often forget to turn protection on when they join a network in a coffee shop, airport, or library. With the new option enabled, the browser handles that step on its own.
How Opera’s Automatic Public Wi-Fi VPN Works
Opera says the browser runs a quick check each time the device joins a network to determine whether it is public or private. When Opera detects a public network, the VPN connects and the VPN button in the tab bar changes color to signal that protection is active. Switching to a private network disconnects the VPN again.
The company states that the network information is only used to decide whether a network is public or private and to trigger the VPN when needed.
The underlying service is the same free VPN Opera already bundles with the browser. According to Opera, it:
- requires no login or account
- has no data limits
- uses AES-256 bit encryption
- follows a no-log policy that was independently audited by Deloitte
How to Turn On the Automatic VPN in Opera
Users who want the browser to protect them on public networks without manual toggling can enable the option in a few steps:
- Update Opera to the latest version.
- Open the browser Settings.
- Go to the VPN section.
- Turn on the option “Always use VPN on Public WiFi”.
If the toggle does not appear, the browser is either not updated yet or the user is in a region where the feature is not yet available. Some users will not see the option until the rollout reaches their area.
Opera’s decision to ship the feature disabled keeps the choice with the user, but it also means that nobody receives automatic protection unless they visit the settings first. Users can disable the automatic mode again at any time from the same menu.
The initial announcement focuses on the desktop browser, and Opera has not published full availability details for its mobile apps. The company plans to extend the automatic VPN to additional regions but has not released dates for markets beyond the United States and France.
