You can now have all your data synced across devices

Sep 26, 2018 11:44 GMT  ·  By

Vivaldi 2.0 is now available for download, and it comes with a plethora of improvements, including sync support that lets you transfer your browsing data across several devices.

Browser synchronization isn’t a new thing, and other apps like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge already offer similar functionality, but Vivaldi comes with something extra. And we’ll discuss the whole feature today.

First and foremost, what you need to know is that although Vivaldi sync technically enables synchronization across devices, only PCs can be used for the time being.

A mobile version of the browser does not exist, though it goes without saying this would be super-useful, especially because it would basically mean that your browsing data would be accessible no matter where you are. However, the Vivaldi team says it’s working on a mobile version too, but specifics aren’t available now.

Vivaldi 2.0 on Windows 10

The sync feature is only possible with a Vivaldi account. This means that you have to register for an account on Vivaldi.net and then log in with it in the browser.

This could actually be one of the drawbacks, as many don’t want to create any other accounts just for the browser. Google account support would be a nice touch, though Vivaldi wouldn’t be able to guarantee the same high level of security if such a feature was available.

Once you create an account and log in, you’ll be asked to choose an encryption password. This is the best thing about the sync process, as this password will be used to encrypt your data. The password is only stored locally and never leaves your computer, and while the browsing data does, the encryption keys are always protected.

In other words, yes, your files may be transferred from one device to another, but the password used for the encryption is securely stored on your system, so nobody should be able to decrypt your data.

Vivaldi sync requires a Vivaldi.net account

If you do not provide such a password, Vivaldi can use your account password, but it goes without saying that this is not as secure as a locally-stored encryption key.

“This is strongly discouraged because it means you are encrypting with a password you are also occasionally sending over the Internet and is thus more vulnerable to attacks,” the Vivaldi team explains.

“The data you send us is encrypted on your computer using a password that is never sent to us. In addition, the servers on which your encrypted data is stored are well protected from intrusion both physically and from the network.”

The browser can sync anything from bookmarks and speed dials, to passwords, autofill data, extensions, notes, history, and part of the settings. You can choose what to sync between devices using the configuration screen in Settings > Sync.

Vivaldi puts you in full control of the data all the time, so if you want to delete any synced files, it’s enough to go to Settings > Sync > Clear Data on Servers. All the items are deleted from Vivaldi, but your account remains active. You can also delete your account from the official account page.

Additionally, Vivaldi lets you change the encryption password, but the process here is a bit more complex. You need to log into your account, click the “I Lost My Password” button, clear all synced data, and then re-sync the browsing files once again. This technically means that you’re resetting the sync files completely, but given that your files are stored locally, nothing is changed.

During my test, the synchronization process proved to be a seamless process that’s completed in just a few seconds and I haven’t noticed any slowdown during this whole time. Also, Vivaldi can sync your tabs, but they aren’t opened in a new browser instance. To access them, you first have to click the small cloud icon in the main UI.

As I said, probably the only major drawback is the requirement for a Vivaldi account, but it’s all just a matter of security. Without it, Vivaldi cannot ensure that your data is protected, and given that this browser has been built from the very beginning with security and privacy in mind, it’s pretty much the only way to go.

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Vivaldi 2.0 on Windows 10
Vivaldi 2.0 on Windows 10Vivaldi sync requires a Vivaldi.net account
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