Vivaldi’s latest iOS update, version 7.4, adds a set of features aimed at improving media playback and browser usability, particularly for users who juggle multiple tasks on their iPhones or iPads. The headline addition is background audio playback, which allows music, podcast, and video streams to continue running even after users lock their screens or switch to other apps—a long-requested capability that’s now implemented across services like YouTube and similar streaming platforms without interruption.
The update also includes a toggle to prevent links from automatically launching external apps, helping users stay within the Vivaldi browser environment when navigating media or links. It’s a small but practical adjustment that reinforces the app’s emphasis on user control.
Tab management sees a significant upgrade as well. The ability to pin tabs lets users anchor frequently visited sites—such as email clients or news pages—to the left side of the tab bar for quicker access. For those managing multiple workflows, the new tab stacking system allows grouping related tabs together under customizable labels with unique color codes. This mirrors functionality already present in Vivaldi’s desktop browser and brings a more organized experience to mobile users.
Other enhancements include expanded history settings. Users now have the option to fine-tune how much browsing history is stored and surfaced in the address bar, giving them more say in whether their searches are influenced by past activity or start fresh each time.
Visually, the browser has undergone a modest redesign. The new “floating tabs” interface borrows from the desktop app’s layout and is intended to help users better distinguish between open tabs. The look is cleaner and more modern, aligning with current UI expectations without complicating navigation.
Vivaldi continues to position itself as a privacy-focused alternative to mainstream browsers, emphasizing its employee-owned model and resistance to third-party investor influence. The company maintains that its development roadmap prioritizes end-user needs over data monetization.
Vivaldi 7.4 is available now on the App Store for both iPhone and iPad users. While the update doesn’t radically alter the browsing experience, it introduces enough quality-of-life improvements to make it a worthwhile upgrade—particularly for those who value flexibility, privacy, and multitasking on mobile devices.
