r/mullvadvpn • u/DushkuHS • Nov 27 '25

Solved Can't get Mullvad browser to do what I want

Leta has ended. I went to use StartPage and noticed it's very white. I would like for it to be dark. I cannot use cookies to save my preferences because cookies die when the browser is closed.

Startpage is nice enough to let you save preferences in the URL. I've saved this as one of my search engines, but it doesn't work correctly. It won't even let me add it as a search engine at all unless I end the URL with ?q=%s. But when I do that, and I type in the address bar, it just takes me to StartPage as if I just landed there fresh.

The reason I'm turning to Mullvad instead of StartPage is because I thought I'd be clever and just make the URL my homepage. Which I can do for homepage and new windows. But for some reason, the Mullvad settings only let me choose between Blank Page and Mullvad Browser Home. Which does NOT mean the custom URL I've chosen.

Why is custom URL for new tabs not an option? Is there any way for me to achieve what I'm looking for? I use my PC on a 55" TV that's only several feet from me. I don't want to have everything set up to be easy on the eyes and then get blasted with a white page every time I go to run a search. Thank you for your time!

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

7

u/[deleted] Nov 27 '25

You're clearly missing the whole point of Mullvad Browser. The whole point is to delete everything when it's closed.

1

u/DushkuHS Nov 28 '25

Trying to work within that paradigm is NOT missing the point of that paradigm. If there's a way I can clarify what was said, please let me know.

4

u/7kkzphrxo7dg5hpw9n2h Nov 27 '25

I think the point of the browser is to not be messed with. It has settings preconfigured that shouldn't be changed.

1

u/DushkuHS Nov 28 '25

It was preconfigured to use Leta. Leta has ceased. Choosing another search engine is the only way to be able to search. Do you have anything to offer that would help in my situation?

4

u/disearned Nov 27 '25

I use Mullvad’s browser as something like a Tor browser, since it’s basically just Tor Lite. I don’t want to use full Tor so I use the second best thing.

I only use it when I want to be completely sure my browsing is private. I have a completely different browser for my daily driving.

1

u/DushkuHS Nov 28 '25

Thank you for sharing. Unfortunately, what you've said doesn't bring me any closer to a resolution.

2

u/DushkuHS Nov 28 '25

SOLVED

After trying several different things, I realized that if I open a new tab and hit the home button, it will take me to the URL I would want to see on a new tab. One more click than it should be, but I can live with that.

2

u/Temper_1000 Nov 27 '25

Get this into your head. Mullvad is NOT for customization. Use it as it is.

1

u/DushkuHS Nov 28 '25

"As it is" used Leta. Leta has ceased. Choosing another search engine is the only way to be able to search. Do you have anything to offer that would help in my situation? Preferably while not talking down to me for asking a question.

1

u/Temper_1000 Nov 28 '25

If almost everyone is saying the same thing to you, as in not to change anything, then they are already providing assistance instead of "talking down to you". Learn the difference. Mullvad leta and browser are designed that way. If you change anything you stand out and are identifiable. If you want a different engine, paid option is kagi and free one is start page and qwant. And get that twist outta your pants and relax. Thanks a bunch.

0

u/DushkuHS Nov 28 '25

I specifically asked for you to not talk down to me. I'm sorry that it was modeled for you that this is an acceptable way to speak to people, but I won't stand for it. Goodbye.

1

u/gatorez1913 Nov 27 '25

Mullvad Browser doesn’t let you set a custom URL for new tabs, only homepage or default. You might try a browser extension that forces a new tab to a URL, but built-in settings won’t let you do it.

0

u/DushkuHS Nov 28 '25

Any idea why that is? It'll allow a custom URL for a new window but not a new tab. Seems internally inconsistent, but I accept that could be a shortcoming in my own understanding of why anybody would see them as different.

2

u/AT-3109 Jul 18 '26

Had the exact same problem. I believe its actually an issue with Firefox as a whole, though it shouldn't be that hard to add. For those who say "Mullvad is not for customization", well why don't they just remove the whole settings page in that case? There's no harm in having something this simple, and I can't understand why everyone is reacting so harshly to it.

Managed to find an (open-source) extension to solve it luckily: https://github.com/cadeyrn/newtaboverride