12 Ways to Become More Productive with Brave Browser

Key Takeaways:

• Removing cookies, cache, and browsing history and installing only the extensions that you use can significantly improve your browser’s performance.
• Adjust font sizes, themes, and colors to create a comfortable browsing environment. Enable night mode to reduce eye strain, especially when working at night.
• Learn and use keyboard shortcuts for common actions, such as opening new tabs, switching between tabs, and navigating through history.

Method 1: Set Brave as the Default Browser

Making Brave your default browser streamlines your online experience and makes you more productive. Links will open automatically in Brave, saving time and reducing confusion, especially for those who often switch browsers.

The following steps will guide you through setting Brave as your default browser. The exact steps might vary slightly depending on your operating system. However, the general process is similar:

1. To open Brave, click the menu button at the top-right corner of the browser window to open the main menu and select Settings.
   
2. When it opens, click the Make Default button next to Default browser in the Get Started section.
   
3. It should launch the computer’s Settings window for Default apps. Click Set Default next to Make Brave your default browser.
   

Method 2: Organize Tabs into Groups for Better Management

Organizing tabs into groups is a great strategy to enhance your productivity with Brave Browser. Managing numerous tabs can quickly become overwhelming. Tab groups in Brave Browser offer a neat solution that allows you to categorize and manage tabs efficiently.

The following steps show how you can set it up:

1. To create a new tab, right-click a tab, then select Add Tab to New Group.
   
2. Then, name your group, select a color to represent it, and toggle the Save group switch On if you want to bookmark it for use another time.
   
3. If you want to add tabs to an existing Tab Group, do one of the following:
   • Right-click the tab, click Add tab to group, and choose the intended tab group or click New group to create another tab group.
     
   • Or drag and drop the tab into the desired tab group.
4. To remove tabs from a Tab Group, do one of the following:
   • Right-click the tab, and click Remove from group.
     
   • Or drag and drop the tab out of the tab group.
5. To edit a group, right-click the group and make the changes accordingly.
6. To switch between tab groups, click the desired tab groups icon.
7. Click a tab group icon to collapse it when not in use.
   
8. Delete a group by right-clicking the group and clicking the Delete group option.
   
9. Note that you can only hide a tab group when the Save group toggle is On.
   
10. To delete, turn off the toggle, which will change the Hide group option to Delete group. Then, you can click to delete.

Method 3: Clear Browsing Data Regularly to Optimize Performance

Clearing browsing data in Brave Browser can help optimize performance and make you more productive. Over time, your browser accumulates data, which can slow down its operation. The data you can delete includes the following:

• Browsing history
• Cookies and other site data
• Cached images and files
• Downloads history
• Other data (depending on your specific needs)

Use the following steps to clean your browser data:

1. Open Brave, click the menu button in the top-right corner of the browser window to open the main menu and select Settings.
   
2. Then, click Privacy and Security on the right and click Delete browsing data.
   
3. Alternatively, enter brave://settings/clearBrowserData in the address bar.
   
4. When the next window appears, select the Time Range under the Basic tab between Last hour and All time.
5. Select the data you wish to delete, then click Delete data.
   
6. You can use the Advanced tab for more in-depth cleaning by doing the following:
   • Select the Time Range under the tab between Last hour and All time.
   • Then, select all the data you wish to delete, then click Delete data.
     
7. To clear site data when you close the browser:
   • Open the On exit tab, check the items you want to clear when closing Brave, and click the Save button.
     

Method 4: Install only Necessary Extensions to Improve Speed

Less is more when it comes to browser extensions. Each extension consumes system resources and can slow down your browser. Installing only necessary extensions can significantly boost your browser’s speed and overall performance. For the example below, we will install the Sider AI extension.

Follow the steps below to install only the necessary extensions:

1. Identify essential extensions for your workflow and directly enhance your productivity.
2. Open Brave, click the menu button in the top right corner, and select Extensions.
   
3. Alternatively, enter the following into the address bar: brave://extensions/.
4. Then, click the Web Store link.
   
5. Once it launches the Chrome Web Store, search for the desired extension and click Add to Brave.
   
6. Click Add extension when prompted and wait for the process to finish.
   
7. Once completed, open the extensions windows again to manage the extensions.
8. When not in use, disable the extension by toggling the switch off or click Remove to uninstall it if you will not use it anymore.
   

Method 5: Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Faster Navigation

Keyboard shortcuts in the Brave browser help to accelerate browsing productivity. Learning and utilizing these shortcuts can significantly speed up navigation and efficiency within the Brave browser. However, users cannot currently customize keyboard shortcuts on Brave. You can only use the available default shortcuts.

Essential keyboard shortcuts in Brave include the following:

Navigation:

• Ctrl + Tab: Switch to the next tab.
• Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Switch to the previous tab.
• Ctrl + W: Close the current tab.
• Ctrl + Shift + T: Reopen the last closed tab.
• Ctrl + N: Open a new window.

Searching and Addressing:

• Ctrl + L: Focus on the address bar.
• Ctrl + K: Focus on the search bar.
• Ctrl + F: Find text on a page.

Other Useful Shortcuts:

• Ctrl + P: Print the current page.
• Ctrl + R: Reload the current page.
• Ctrl + H: Open browser history.
• Ctrl + Shift + N: Open a new incognito window.

Method 6: Earn Brave Rewards for Browsing

Brave Rewards is a feature in the Brave browser that allows users to earn Basic Attention Token (BAT), a cryptocurrency, by viewing privacy-respecting ads. This BAT can then be used to tip content creators or exchanged for other cryptocurrencies.

While primarily a reward system, it indirectly enhances productivity in the Brave browser by providing a tangible benefit for using the browser. The following steps will help you set up Brave Rewards:

1. Open the Brave browser and click the Brave Rewards icon (the triangle) in the address bar.
2. Once you see a pop-up, click Start using Rewards to enable Brave Rewards.
   
3. Select your country from the drop-down in the next pop-up and click Continue.
   
4. Wait for the process to finish, then click Done.
   
5. Once the setup is complete, open the Brave rewards page by:
   • Clicking the icon again, then click Connect account to create an account where all the rewards will go. OR…
     
   • Entering brave://rewards/ into the address bar, click Connect account to create an account where all the rewards will go.
     
6. Log in if you already have an account, or sign up to get an account.
   
7. Once Brave Rewards is enabled, you’ll start receiving notifications about available ads.
8. Clicking on these ads will earn you BAT.

Method 7: Enable Brave Sync to Sync your Data Across Devices

Brave Sync is a feature that allows you to synchronize your browser data across multiple devices, including bookmarks, history, open tabs, passwords, autofill information, and more. Enabling Brave Sync can make you more productive, providing seamless access to browsing information from any device with the Brave browser installed.

Use the following steps to enable Brave Sync:

On your primary computer

1. Launch the Brave browser on the device you want to use as the primary sync device (e.g., computer) and open Settings from the menu.
   
2. Find and click Sync and Start using sync from the right side in the left sidebar.
   
3. Then, click the Start a new Sync Chain button to generate a unique sync code.
   

On your second device

Phone/Tablet

1. Click the Phone/Tablet option on your primary, where the browser will generate a Sync Chain Code or Sync Chain QR Code.
   
2. Start the Brave Browser on your mobile device, open Settings, and tap Sync.
3. Then, tap the Scan option or enter your sync code.
   Note: Use your own code. The code below is just for example.
   
4. After scanning the Sync Code, wait patiently for the devices to connect through Sync Chain.
5. Then tap OK or the X close button to return to the main Brave Sync page, where your devices in the sync chain will be listed.

Computer

1. Click the Computer option on your primary device.
   
2. Copy the generated Sync Chain Code.
   
3. Afterward, open Brave Sync on your secondary computer and click I have a Sync Code.
   
4. Enter the Sync Chain Code from the primary computer into your secondary computer and click Confirm.
   

Method 8: Enable Online Protection with Built-in Firewall and VPN

The built-in Firewall and VPN in the Brave browser offer a robust layer of protection, enhancing your online privacy and security and making you more productive. They indirectly contribute by ensuring a secure and uninterrupted browsing experience. Brave’s Built-in protections are so strong that they bypass Google ad blocker restrictions.

Note that Brave Firewall + VPN is a premium feature. You’ll need a subscription to use it. To enable it, do the following:

1. Open your Brave browser and click the VPN badge.
2. There is a limited free trial available. You can click Start Free Trial to begin using it.
   
3. To unlock full access, click Already purchased VPN to subscribe to Brave Firewall + VPN.
   
4. Follow the instructions to complete the subscription accordingly.
   
5. Once complete, click the VPN badge in the Brave address bar and select a preferred location.
   
6. The firewall typically enables automatically once the VPN is activated.
7. You can click the VPN badge to confirm the firewall status.
   

Method 9: Enable the Native Crypto Wallet

Built-in wallets provide faster transaction times and greater security since they are integrated directly into the browser. This feature in Brave browser eliminates the need to switch between platforms for crypto transactions, allowing for seamless interaction with decentralized applications and making you more productive.

Use the following steps to enable the Native Crypto Wallet:

1. Open your browser and locate the Wallet icon in the toolbar, then click Learn More.
   
2. Then, click Need a new wallet to create a wallet or Already have a wallet to import an existing wallet using your recovery phrase or private key.
   
3. Exercise caution when importing a wallet; losing your recovery phrase can lead to permanent loss of funds.
4. When creating a new wallet after clicking Need a new wallet, agree to the terms and click Continue.
   
5. Then, select your preferred networks and click Continue with # Networks, where # is the number of networks.
   
6. Next, create a strong password and set the time for auto-lock, then click Continue.
   
7. Afterward, wait for the wallet to be created.
   
8. Once created, save your recovery phrase. The system will run some tests to see if you saved it. Complete them!
   
9. When passed, the system will notify you.
   
10. The wallet will finally be open for use.
    
11. You can access Brave Wallet by clicking the Wallet icon on the address bar.
    

Method 10: Customize Appearance to Make Browsing More Comfortable

A well-customized Brave browser can significantly boost productivity by reducing eye strain, improving focus, and creating a more enjoyable browsing experience. You can tailor Brave Browser’s appearance to your preferences using the following steps:

1. Launch the Brave browser on the device you want to use as the primary sync device (e.g., computer) and open Settings from the menu.
   
2. Then, click Appearance on the left pane to set Brave colors to Same as Windows, Dark, or Light mode, or click the Theme option to set the browser theme.
   
3. Under Appearance, you can also set appearances for Toolbar, Tabs, and Sidebar.
4. Afterward, click Content, where you can set the Font size, Customize fonts, and set Page zoom.
   

Method 11: Take Advantage of the Tor Private Browsing Mode

Tor anonymizes internet traffic via relays, protecting your online activities and aiding sensitive research. It bypasses censorship for blocked information and enhances security for online transactions, lowering data breach risks. It is an improvement to the normal private browsing feature.

You can set up Tor Private Browsing Mode in Brave using the following steps:

1. Launch the Brave browser on the device you want to use as the primary sync device (e.g., computer) and open Settings from the menu.
   
2. Then, click Privacy and Security on the left pane, locate the Private window with Tor option, and enable it.
   
3. To open a new Tor private tab, use one of the following:
   • Click the Menu button and click New Private Window with Tor.
     
   • Alternatively, use the Alt + Shift + N keyboard shortcut.
4. Once opened, you can continue to enjoy your highly private browsing.
   

Method 12: Access Content with the Built-in Video Conferencing Feature

Brave Talk is a privacy-centric video conferencing feature in the Brave browser, similar to Zoom. It is powered by Jitsi from 8×8 to make you more productive. It allows free 1-on-1 video calls of unlimited length and group watch options for up to 4 people.

For groups of three or more, a Premium version is available for $7/month, offering call recordings and meeting tools. Use the following steps to configure it:

1. Open your browser, locate Talk, and click Start call.
   
2. Then, click Start free call.
   
3. If you receive a prompt to grant permission for the Microphone, click Allow.
   
4. When the next page opens, enter your name and use the tools to complete the desired settings.
   
5. Click the invite icon to copy the meeting link you will send to others to also join you in the meeting.
   
6. Then, click the Join meeting button to go to the meeting screen.
   
7. If you receive another prompt to grant permission for the perhaps Camera, click Allow.
   
8. You are finally set to begin your video call.
   

If you have enjoyed this article, let me recommend our ultimate comparison of which browser is better for Web 3 between Brave and other popular browsers, such as Microsoft Edge Browser and Google Chrome.