Introduction
Customizing the home page in Brave gives you control over your browsing experience from the moment you launch the browser. By tailoring the start-up page to your needs, you can access frequently used websites, view personalized news feeds, or simply enjoy a clean, uncluttered interface. This article guides you step by step through the various options Brave offers for home page customization.
Accessing Home Page Settings
Open Brave Settings
First, launch Brave and click the menu icon (three horizontal lines or dots) in the top-right corner. From the drop-down, select Settings.
Locate Home Page and New Tab Page Section
In the Settings sidebar, scroll to the “Appearance” or “On startup” section (depending on your Brave version). Here you will find controls for both the home page and the new tab page behavior.
Customization Options
Set a Specific URL as Home Page
If you prefer a dedicated website on startup, follow these steps:
- Enable the Show Home button toggle.
- Click the input field labeled Enter custom web address.
- Type or paste the URL you want as your home page (for example, Hacker News).
Use Brave’s New Tab Page Features
Brave’s New Tab Page (NTP) is highly configurable. Click the gear icon on any new tab to reveal options.
Background Image
Select from a library of curated images or upload your own. This adds a personal touch every time you open a tab.
Show or Hide Favorite Sites
- Enable Favorites: Display thumbnail tiles for your most-visited sites.
- Disable Favorites: Keep a minimalistic look by hiding these tiles.
News Feed Section
Brave can show a news feed powered by Deezer or other content partners. Toggle this on or off to see headlines and summaries on your new tab.
Custom Search Engine
Choose which search engine Brave uses by default on the new tab page. Options include Google, DuckDuckGo, Bing, and custom entries that you can add yourself.
Advanced Customizations
Start-up Behavior
Under the “On startup” header, decide whether Brave should:
- Open a specific set of pages.
- Continue where you left off in the previous session.
- Launch with a blank page for maximum speed.
Show Bookmarks Bar
If you rely heavily on bookmarks, enable the Show bookmarks bar option to display it below the address bar. You can even choose to show it only on new tab pages.
Manage Speed Dials
Speed dials are the clickable tiles on the new tab page. To add, edit, or remove them:
- Open a new tab.
- Hover over a tile and click the three-dot icon to edit or delete.
- Use the Add shortcut button to create new entries.
Troubleshooting and Tips
Reset to Default Settings
If you need to start over, scroll to the bottom of the page in Settings gt Appearance or On startup and click Restore defaults. This reverts home page and new tab configurations to Brave’s original settings.
Sync Settings Across Devices
To maintain a consistent home page experience on desktop and mobile, enable Brave Sync in Settings gt Sync. Link your devices and choose which data to synchronize, including bookmarks, history, and open tabs.
Summary of Customization Options
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Custom URL | Set any web address as your home page. |
| Background Image | Select from Brave’s library or upload your own. |
| Favorites Tiles | Show or hide most-visited site thumbnails. |
| News Feed | Enable or disable curated headlines. |
| Bookmarks Bar | Display bookmarks under the address bar. |
| Start-up Behavior | Choose between reopening tabs, specific pages, or a blank page. |
Conclusion
Customizing the home page in Brave empowers you to shape your browsing environment to your preferences. Whether you want instant access to daily news, a clean slate for productivity, or a favorite site on launch, Brave’s flexible options have you covered. Spend a few minutes in the settings to optimize your start-up experience and enjoy a browser that truly feels like your own.
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