Have you ever lost important bookmarks Opera after resetting your phone or reinstalling your browser? Or just wanted to transfer them to another smartphone, but didn’t know where exactly they were stored? Unlike the desktop version, the mobile version hides bookmark files deep in system folders, and their backup works differently than in Opera for Android hides bookmark files deep in system folders, and their backup works differently than in Chrome or Firefox. In this article, we will look at all the ways to access bookmarks - from manual search in the file system to cloud synchronization and hidden browser functions.

It is important to understand: Opera on Android does not store bookmarks in the usual HTML formatas many desktop browsers do. Instead, the data is distributed between the database Web Data, cache and cloud Opera Sync. We'll show you how to find each of these sources, what tools you'll need to extract the data, and what to do if syncing suddenly stops working. And also - how to bypass Android 11+ restrictions on access to folders of other applications.

If you're looking for a way to simply transfer your bookmarks to a new phone, cloud synchronization may be enough for you. But if you need local files for manual editing or restoration after a reset, you will have to dive into technical details. Let's start with the most obvious - where Opera stores bookmarks by default.

1. Cloud storage: how Opera synchronizes bookmarks

The easiest way to save bookmarks is to use the built-in function Opera Sync. It automatically syncs bookmarks, history, and open tabs between all your browser-enabled devices. But there are nuances:

  • 🔄 Synchronization is turned on manually: go to Settings → Opera Sync and log in through your account Opera, Google or Facebook.
  • 📱 On Android 10+ it can You will need permission to Autoplay for background synchronization.
  • 🔒 If you delete the browser without turning off synchronization, bookmarks will remain in the cloud and will be restored when you install them again.
  • ⚠️ But: Opera does not provide direct access to cloud storage through web interface (as opposed to Chrome or Firefox).

To check if synchronization is enabled:

  1. Open Opera and tap on the profile icon (in the lower right corner).
  2. Select Opera Sync.
  3. If the status Connected —your bookmarks are already in the cloud.
⚠️ Attention: If you used synchronization through your account Googleand then deleted it from the system, bookmarks may disappear. Opera binds the data to the account, not to the device.

Synchronization is convenient, but does not give full control. For example, you cannot:

  • 📄 Export bookmarks to a file .html directly from the cloud.
  • 🔍 View the history of changes (who added this or that bookmark and when).
  • 🛠️ Restore deleted bookmarks older than 30 days.

If these restrictions are critical, proceed to manual ones methods.

📊 How do you usually save bookmarks?
I use browser synchronization
I export to a file
I store it in notes/another application
I don’t save, I lose it when reinstallation

2. Local storage: where Opera physically stores bookmarks on Android

Bookmark files are Opera for Android stored in a secure application folder. The path depends on the Android version and browser installation type:

Installation type Path to bookmarks Are root access required?
Standard (from Google Play) /data/data/com.opera.browser/app_opera/Opera/Bookmarks Yes
Opera Beta /data/data/com.opera.browser.beta/app_opera/Opera/Bookmarks Yes
Opera Mini /data/data/com.opera.mini.native/app_opera/Opera/Bookmarks Yes
Installation via APK (not from the Play Market) Depends on the package (for example, com.opera.browser.classic) Yes

The problem is that the folder /data/data/ is inaccessible without root access or special tools. Even file managers like Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer will not be able to open it without additional permissions:

  • 📱 ADB (Android Debug Bridge): you can copy files without root if USB debugging mode is enabled.
  • 🔧 Backup via Titanium Backup: requires root, but allows you to extract the bookmark database.
  • 🖥️ Android emulator: if you install Opera in emulator (for example BlueStacks), you can access files through a virtual file system.

The most reliable way without root is to use ADB. Here are step-by-step guide:

Enable developer mode (tap the build number 7 times in the phone Settings)

Enable USB debugging in Developer Settings

Connect the phone to the PC and confirm trust in the computer

Run command adb pull /data/data/com.opera.browser/app_opera/Opera/Bookmarks

The copied files will be in the folder with ADB on the PC-->

Bookmark files in Opera are stored in the format .db (SQLite database). Main files:

  • Bookmarks.db —the actual bookmarks.
  • TopSites.db —frequently visited sites.
  • History.db —browsing history (sometimes contains duplicate bookmarks).

To read these files, you will need a app like DB Browser for SQLite or online converter. In the table bookmarks you will find the following columns:

  • title — bookmark name.
  • url — page address.
  • created — date of addition (in timestamp format).
  • folder — folder ID (if the bookmark is in folder).
⚠️ Attention: Do not edit files .db directly if you are not sure of your actions. An error in the database structure can lead to the loss of all bookmarks the next time you start Opera.

3. Alternative ways to export bookmarks without root

If you don't have root access and don't want to bother with ADB, there are several alternative methods:

Method 1: Export via Opera for PC

If you have a computer, you can sync bookmarks with mobile Opera and then export them via desktop version:

  1. Install Opera for Windows/macOS and log into the same account Opera Sync.
  2. Wait for bookmarks to sync (may take a few minutes).
  3. B desktop Opera go to Menu → Bookmarks → Manage bookmarks.
  4. Click Export bookmarks and save the file bookmarks.html.

This file can be imported into any other browser or edited manually.

Method 2: Using third-party applications

Some backup apps can retrieve Opera data without root. For example:

  • 📲 Bookmark Sort & Backup (available on Google Play) - can export bookmarks from Opera to a file .html or .json.
  • 📱 Super Backup & Restore - creates backup copies of applications, including Opera data (premium version required for recovery).

Limitation: these applications are not always correct extract bookmark folders —often export them as a flat list.

Method 3: Manual transfer via "Send to device"

If you need to transfer bookmarks to another phone:

  1. Open Opera on your old device.
  2. Go to Bookmarks, press and hold the desired bookmark.
  3. Select Send to device (if the function is available) or Share.
  4. Send the link to yourself by email, in Telegram or WhatsApp.
  5. On the new device, save the received links to bookmarks manually.

This is labor-intensive if there are a lot of bookmarks, but it works without additional tools.

💡

If you often transfer bookmarks between devices, create a “To transfer” folder in Opera and use it as a buffer. This makes it easier to track which links have already been copied.

4. How to recover deleted bookmarks in Opera on Android

If bookmarks are missing after updating the browser or resetting the phone, there are several ways to get them back:

Option 1: Recovering from the cloud

If synchronization was enabled:

  1. Reinstall Opera and log in to the same account Opera Sync.
  2. Bookmarks should be restored automatically within 5-10 minutes.

If this does not happen:

  • Check your connection to Internet.
  • Restart the browser.
  • Login Settings → Opera Sync and click Synchronize now.

Option 2: Restoring from a local backup

Android sometimes creates automatic backups of application data. To check:

  1. Go to Android Settings → Google → Backup.
  2. Make sure that the function Backup to Google Drive is enabled.
  3. Uninstall and reinstall Opera.
  4. When you first start, select Restore data from backup.

This does not always work, since Google does not back up all application data.

Option 3: Manual recovery from files .db

If you have a backup copy of the folder /data/data/com.opera.browser/ (for example, made through Titanium Backup), you can try:

  1. Delete the current version of Opera.
  2. Restore files Bookmarks.db and TopSites.db to the original folder.
  3. Install Opera again.
⚠️ Attention: If the files .db are damaged, Opera may begin to freeze when launch. In this case, you will have to delete the folder app_opera completely and start from a clean state.

If none of the methods worked, try contacting Opera support via Settings → Help. Sometimes they can restore data upon request if your account is linked.

5. Transferring bookmarks from Opera to another browser on Android

If you decide to change your browser (for example, to Chrome, Firefox or Kiwi Browser), you can transfer bookmarks in several ways:

Method 1: Through export to HTML

As we told you earlier, the easiest way is to export bookmarks through the desktop version of Opera, and then import them into a new browser. For example, for Chrome:

  1. Export bookmarks from Opera for PC to a file bookmarks.html.
  2. Open Chrome on Android.
  3. Go to page chrome://bookmarks.
  4. Click ⋮ → Import bookmarks and select the saved file.

Method 2: Through cloud services

Some browsers support importing from Opera Sync directly. For example, Vivaldi can be synchronized with an Opera account. To do this:

  1. Install Vivaldi on Android.
  2. Log in Settings → Synchronization and select Import from Opera.
  3. Login with the same data as in Opera.

Method 3: Manual transfer via "Share"

For a small number of bookmarks:

  1. In Opera, press and hold the bookmark.
  2. Select Share → Copy to clipboard.
  3. Open a new browser and paste the link into the address bar.
  4. Save the page to bookmarks.

To speed up the process, you can use applications like Bookmark Manager, which can batch export bookmarks from one browser to another.

Why do some browsers not import bookmark folders?

Many mobile browsers (including Chrome for Android) do not support folder hierarchy when importing. They convert all bookmarks into a flat list, ignoring the folder structure. This is a limitation of Chrome itself, and not a problem with exporting from Opera. To save folders, you will have to use desktop versions of browsers for import/export.

6. Automating bookmark backup

To avoid losing bookmarks in the future, set up automatic backup. Here are some working methods:

Method 1: Tasker + ADB

Using the application Tasker you can create a task that will regularly copy bookmark files to an SD card or to the cloud. You will need:

  • 📱 Installed Tasker plugin ADB Plugin.
  • 🖥️ Enabled USB debugging on the phone.
  • 📂 Folder on the SD card or in the cloud (for example, Google Drive) for storing copies.

Task example:

Profile: Daily at 3:00

Task:


1. Run the ADB command: adb pull /data/data/com.opera.browser/app_opera/Opera/Bookmarks /sdcard/OperaBackup/


2. Upload the /sdcard/OperaBackup/ folder to Google Drive

Method 2: Synchronization with Nextcloud/ownCloud

If you use your own cloud, you can set up automatic synchronization of the folder with bookmarks:

  1. Install the application FolderSync.
  2. Create a synchronization pair between /sdcard/OperaBackup/ and your cloud.
  3. Set up a schedule (for example, once a week).

Method 3: Export via Opera Developer

In versions Opera Developer (preview of new features) Experimental tools for exporting data sometimes appear. To check:

  1. Install Opera Developer from Google Play.
  2. Go to opera://flags.
  3. Find the flag Bookmarks Export and enable it.
  4. Restart the browser - the export option will appear in the bookmarks menu.
⚠️ Attention: Features in Opera Developer may disappear or change without warning. Don't rely on them as your only backup method.

For reliability, combine cloud synchronization with local backups. For example:

  • 🔄 Once a week, check that Opera Sync is working.
  • 📱 Once a month, do a manual export via ADB or Tasker.
  • ☁️ Store copies in two clouds (for example, Google Drive + Dropbox).
💡

The most reliable way not to lose bookmarks is to combine cloud synchronization (Opera Sync) with local backups (via ADB or Tasker).

7. Common problems and their solutions

When working with bookmarks in Opera on Android, users encounter common errors. common:

Problem 1: Bookmarks are not synchronized

If Opera Sync bookmarks do not update:

  • 🔌 Check your Internet connection (synchronization does not work through some VPNs).
  • 🔄 Restart your browser and device.
  • 📱 In Android settings, check if background traffic is limited for Opera (Settings → Applications → Opera → Mobile data).
  • 🔒 Sign in account Opera Sync again (sometimes the session is reset).

Problem 2: After updating Opera, bookmarks disappeared

This is a common error when switching to a new version of the browser Solutions:

  • 🔙 Roll back to the previous version of Opera. (download APK from APKMirror).
  • 📂 Check if the backup copy is still in /sdcard/Android/data/com.opera.browser/files/Backup/.
  • 📧 Write to Opera support via Settings → Help, indicating the browser version and phone model.

Problem 3: Cannot access /data/data/ even with root

On some firmware (for example, MIUI or EMUI) access to /data/data/ is blocked even for root users. Workarounds:

  • 📱 Use TWRP Recovery to mount /data and copy files.
  • 🖥️ Connect your phone to the PC and use ADB pull in mode recovery.
  • 🔧 Install an alternative kernel that supports full access to /data (for example, Magisk + module SQLite3).

Problem 4: Exported bookmarks open in "crazy" encoding

This happens if the file bookmarks.html is saved in the wrong encoding. Solution:

  1. Open the file in Notepad++ or VS Code.
  2. Select encoding UTF-8.
  3. Save the file. again.

If the problem persists, try converting the file through online services like Iconv.

Problem 5: Opera does not see bookmarks after transferring to a new phone

Possible causes and solutions:

Cause Solution
Different versions of Opera Install the same version of the browser that was on your old phone.
No synchronization Log in to the same account Opera Sync.
Files .db damaged Delete the folder app_opera and configure the browser again.
Limitations of Android 11+ Transfer files via ADB or cloud.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to transfer bookmarks from Opera on Android to Safari on iPhone?

Yes, but only through workarounds:

  1. Export bookmarks from Opera to a file bookmarks.html (via the desktop version).
  2. Send the file to the iPhone (for example, by email).
  3. On the iPhone, open the file in Safari —it will offer to import bookmarks.

Or use services like Xmarks (paid), which synchronize bookmarks between browsers.

Why, after resetting the phone, bookmarks in Opera were not restored, although synchronization was enabled?

Probable reasons:

  • You are logged into another account Opera Sync.
  • Synchronization was disabled before the reset.
  • A different version of Opera is installed on the new device (for example, Opera Mini instead of Opera).
  • Opera servers are temporarily unavailable (check the status on status.opera.com).

Try:

  1. Log out of your account and log in again Opera Sync.
  2. Delete and reinstall the browser.
  3. Wait 24 hours - sometimes synchronization is delayed.
How to convert Bookmarks.db into a readable format?

File Bookmarks.db is a database SQLiteTo read it:

  1. Copy the file to your PC.
  2. Install DB Browser for SQLite (sqlitebrowser.org).
  3. Open Bookmarks.db in the app.
  4. Go to the tab Data overview and select the table bookmarks.

To export data to CSV:

  1. In DB Browser select File → Export → Table as CSV file.
  2. Specify table bookmarks.
  3. Save the file and open it in Excel or Google Sheets.
Is it possible to restore bookmarks if Opera was deleted without disabling synchronization?

Yes, if:

  • You used Opera Sync —the bookmarks are saved in the cloud and will be restored when installed again.
  • A backup was enabled on the phone Google Drive (check in Settings → Google → Backup).

If synchronization has not been configured, the chances are minimal. Try:

  1. Install on your phone Opera and log into your account (if you remember the data).
  2. Check the folder /sdcard/Android/data/com.opera.browser/ for backup copies.
  3. Contact Opera support indicating the email associated with your account.
How to transfer bookmarks from Opera to Firefox on Android?

Instructions:

  1. Export bookmarks from Opera to a file bookmarks.html (via the desktop version).
  2. Copy the file to Android (for example, via Google Drive).
  3. Install Firefox and open about:bookmarks in the address bar.
  4. Click ⋮ → Import bookmarks and select the file bookmarks.html.

If there is no import option:

  • Use the desktop version Firefox to import, then synchronize bookmarks with mobile Firefox through your account Firefox Sync.