Opera has seen a significant surge in new users in the European Union following Apple’s introduction of a new feature to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). With the release of iOS 17.4, Apple implemented a choice screen that prompts EU users to select a default web browser from a list that includes Opera.
This move by Apple has resulted in a 164% increase in new Opera users on iOS devices in the EU. The choice screen presents users with a list of popular browsers in their region, allowing them to choose their default browser. To qualify for inclusion on this list, a browser must have at least 5,000 downloads from the EU’s App Store in the past year.
Apple has stated that up to 11 of the most downloaded browsers in each country, along with Safari, will be featured on the browser choice screen. Google has also introduced a similar browser choice screen for Android users, further emphasizing the importance of offering users a selection of browsers.
Following the rollout of this new feature, Opera has reported significant growth in key EU markets for both iOS and Android versions. In France, there was a 402% increase in new Opera users, while Spain, Poland, and Germany also experienced substantial growth, with increases of 143%, 68%, and 56% respectively.
Jørgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera, noted a spike in daily active users for Opera for iOS following the introduction of the browser choice screen. This growth reflects the growing interest among iOS users in exploring alternative browsers like Opera.
A survey conducted by Opera before the implementation of the browser choice screen revealed that 80% of European smartphone users were open to trying a new browser. This underscores the importance of providing users with more choice and transparency in selecting their browsers.
Other browser companies, such as Brave, have also experienced an increase in installations since the DMA changes took effect. Brave reported a spike in iOS browser installations, highlighting the impact of Apple’s new browser choice screen in the EU. Overall, the new feature has created a more level playing field for browser competition and has driven interest in innovative products that deliver a superior online experience.
