Updated: How to View the Full Version of Sites in Opera Mini and Other Mobile Browsers

Posted on January 12, 2014 by Dennis Bournique

Originally published in 2009, this post is updated regularly with the latest workarounds for viewing the desktop versions of mobile sites in mobile browsers.

Last update 12-Jan-2014: Added reader-contributed workarounds for Google Search and Google Image Search. Removed non-working Yahoo Mail links.

One of the biggest frustrations of using the web with mobile browsers is web sites that force them to use dumbed down mobile versions. I have nothing against mobile sites, obviously. I build them and I write about them here at Wap Review. Redirecting mobile browsers to the mobile versions of sites doesn’t bother me. The problem is with mobile sites that lack essential features or content found in the equivalent full web versions and don’t offer users an easy way to view the full version. As I’ve been preaching for years, every mobile site needs to include a Full Version link.

Fortunately many mobile sites now include a link to the full version. For sites that don’t it’s possible to force the full-web versions of some sites in mobile browsers by using a special URL.

Here’s a list of websites where getting to the full version with mobile browsers is harder than it should be along with a workaround. Note that the the ful version may not work well or at all in your mobile browser. But if there’s a feature or content you like that’s missing from the mobile site, it’s worth trying the full version.

Facebook: Use facebook.com/home.php or www.facebook.com/home.php?m2w to load the full version in Opera Mini and most other mobile browsers.

Orkut: Has a link to the full version at the bottom of most mobile pages. Or you can go directly to it by using the URL: www.orkut.com/Home.

The Yahoo homepage: use yahoo.com/?m=1 or www.yahoo.com to open the desktop version. This works in the Android browser but not in Opera Mini.

More full version direct links:

Google Calendar: https://www.google.com/calendar/render?tab=mc
Google News: news.google.com/nwshp?hl=en&tab=wn
Google Search: https://www.google.com/webhp?nomo=1&hl=en
Google Image Search: https://www.google.bs/imghp?nomo=1&hl=en&tbm=isch
Gmail: mail.google.com/mail/h/
Ebay: www.ebay.com/?redirect=mobile
MySpace: www.myspace.com/?ucm=true
Outlook.com: https://blu171.mail.live.com/?rru=inbox
Techdirt: http://www.techdirt.com/?_format=full
Twitter: http://www.mobile.twitter.com/settings/change_ui
Wall Street Journal: online.wsj.com/home-page

Hall of Shame: There are a few sites that stubbornly refuse to let Opera Mini users view their full web version.

ESPN: No full site link and the workaround that worked for years no longer does.
Picassaweb and Google+: These two sites are exceptions to Google’s generally good job of providing links to the “Classic” non-mobile versions.
Yahoo Mail: since the latest Yahoo Mail redesign I haven’t found any way to force the desktop version in mobile browsers.

If you find workarounds for other sites that are blocking mobile users from their full-web versions please leave a comment and I’ll add your discoveries to this post.

For problem sites try changing your browser’s user agent

Web sites are able to tell that you are using a mobile browser by reading the HTTP User-Agent header that browsers send. Some mobile browsers let you change the User-Agent to spoof the site into thinking your are using a desktop browser. Here are the browsers that I know about that allow changing the User Agent and how to do it.

Android browser: On most Android phones you can enable a hidden UAString menu item by typing about:debug in the URL bar and pressing Enter. Nothing will seem to change but if you go to Settings and scroll all the way to the bottom you’ll see the UASting option. It lets you choose between an Android, Desktop, iPhone or iPad User-Agent

Opera Mobile on Symbian and Android: A User Agent option in the Advanced Settings menu lets you choose between mobile and desktop versions.

UC Browser: Most versions have a User Agent option in the Settings or Settings > Network menu. In some versions it’s labeled “Website Preference”.

258 thoughts on “Updated: How to View the Full Version of Sites in Opera Mini and Other Mobile Browsers”

Uttam Aggarwal on March 20, 2012 at 11:43 am said:

Sir, I want to ask that which option I should choose in user agent of uc browser 8.0 (for my nokia n73, symbian os 9.1, s60v3) for DESKTOP VIEW :-

Empty
Wap UA
Web UA
- Dennis Bournique on March 20, 2012 at 12:04 pm said:
  
  You’re more likely to get the desktop versions of sites if you use the the Web UA or empty than with the Wap UA.
  
  Some sites will recognize that you are using a mobile browser and send the mobile version no matter which you chose. If you use empty, a few sites might block you as the user agent isn’t supposed to be empty.
  
  You have to experiment, there’s no setting that will give the best result with every site.
Uttam Aggarwal on March 19, 2012 at 1:01 am said:

Sir, opera mini work very well. But uc browrer 8.0 in my nokia n73 doesnt give desktop view option. I have tried as you told in setting /prefrence/network/user agent/ here I found 3 diffrent options
empty
wap UA
web UA
But none of there give me desktop view option.
Please tell me. THANK YOU.
- Dennis Bournique on March 19, 2012 at 7:57 am said:
  
  The alternate URLs for desktop versions of sites that I’ve tried (gmail, Facebook) do work in the UC browser. Which one’s don’t?
xym on March 9, 2012 at 10:16 pm said:

thanks. i have spent months tying to get full website pages on my phone. you are genius. *1000
Raj on February 28, 2012 at 5:28 am said:

facebook full page url which u have provided isn’t opening desktop page. It opens mobile page on my opera mini.
- Dennis Bournique on February 28, 2012 at 8:19 am said:
  
  Did you try both http://facebook.com/home.php and http://www.facebook.com/home.php?m2w
  
  Both work for me in Opera Mini 6.5 and Opera Mini Next but with some browsers you may need to use the 2nd one.
Yvonne on February 25, 2012 at 2:13 am said:

How can I access the Twitter full website? Thanks.
- Dennis Bournique on February 25, 2012 at 8:29 am said:
  
  Use https://mobile.twitter.com/settings/change_ui to view the Twitter desktop version in mobile browsers.
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Dawn on February 22, 2012 at 10:00 am said:

Finally, someone with the right answers! I can now use the facebook full site on my iphone. Thank you.
Joey Alizio Jr on February 16, 2012 at 2:34 pm said:

Hey! This Is How You Switch Back To Yahoo! Classic Mail..
Mozilla FireFox..
ThiS Is Easy And Fun…
ToolS.. OptionS.. Content..
Disable Javascript..
Boom! Go To Your Yahoo! Email..
Refresh The Page..
Switch Back To The ClaSSIc Yahoo! Mail..
That You Love The Most!

Go Back!
Don’t Forget To Re-Enable Javascript!
Vladimir on February 6, 2012 at 5:42 pm said:

After I Bookmark this URL: http://www.facebook.com/home.php? Facebook Full Version, but the back to Mobile Version through Opera-Mini… :(
- Dennis Bournique on February 6, 2012 at 5:56 pm said:
  
  I’ve noticed that too. Facebook will revert back to the mobile page sometimes
Ibeabuchi on February 5, 2012 at 12:21 pm said:

Thanks for your prompt response. In the facebook version, the image and the write up is dull. Can it be improved?
- Dennis Bournique on February 5, 2012 at 1:19 pm said:
  
  Not sure what you mean, To me in Facebook looks the same in Opera Mini as in other browsers.
Ibeabuchi on February 3, 2012 at 8:38 am said:

Thank you sir! Am checking my yahoomail through the site. However, I noticed that I cant send mail or should I say cant see the “message sent” report. Can any thing be done about that? Thanks
- Dennis Bournique on February 3, 2012 at 9:15 am said:
  
  You are right. I can’t send mail with the Yahoo Desktop version in Opera Mini either. It works in the Android browser.
  
  All you can do is file a bug report with Opera and hope they fix it. In the meantime use the Yahoo Mobile version for sending mail with Opera Mini.
Sunil on February 1, 2012 at 3:21 am said:

I want to install myspace.but i can’t install it.so please helpme.
- Dennis Bournique on February 1, 2012 at 7:49 am said:
  
  Install? This post is about Web sites, there’s nothing to install.
Acton Noel on January 31, 2012 at 10:30 am said:

Up to last week i uploaded photos to my hotmail profile, this week its either blocked or has a bug. Using opera mini 6.5 cant get photos, profile or contact list, i get my inbox, bing and msn this i just noticed this week. Anybody else ?
- Dennis Bournique on January 31, 2012 at 1:17 pm said:
  
  I’m seeing the same issue. Trying to get to Contacts, Skydrive, Profile, Calendar, Groups or Messenger using the dropdown menu no longer works. It either hangs (Skydrive), displays an error (Calendar), displays “Object Moved This document may be found here” and clicking “here” just reloads the message (Contacts, Profile) or goes to my Inbox (Messenger, Groups).
  
  I filed a bug report with Opera and posted about it onthe Opera Mini Forum: http://my.opera.com/community/forums/topic.dml?id=1290182&t=1328044456
  
  A workaround to get to your contacts is to start a new message and click the “To:” link
Abhi on January 27, 2012 at 7:32 pm said:

Sir,

What about rediffmail.com

How can we see full website of rediffmail.com on operamini.

Thanks
Robin Chaddock on October 12, 2011 at 4:10 pm said:

http://www.cokezone.co.uk always loads the wap page (wap.cokezone.co.uk) when opened in opera mini, and there’s no link to the full website =/
Mickey on August 30, 2011 at 9:34 am said:

i have tried hard to open full site of Gmail on my opera mobile or on my Nokia E71 browser for that matter but it just doesnt open, plzzzz provide me a link/ a way around it.. Thankss :)
- Dennis Bournique on August 30, 2011 at 9:38 am said:
  
  https://mail.google.com/mail/h/ works for me to access the desktop version of Gmail.
Lee on July 16, 2011 at 3:19 pm said:

hi!!! does anyone knew how to view DESKTOP/FULL VIEW of picasaweb.google.com? Well before it works until 2-3 months ago..
if i type picasaweb.google.com it automatically changes in to picasaweb.google.com/m please help me i need the full version of picasa.
ALIJADE on April 22, 2011 at 8:41 pm said:

friendster unable to load desktop version nuw. even the help section and the link u gave. is there a new way to view it in full vrsion?
- Dennis Bournique on April 23, 2011 at 8:27 pm said:
  
  It doesn’t seem to be possible to view the desktop version of Friendster in Opera Mini any more. At least I haven’t found a way
Nitant on April 15, 2011 at 8:30 am said:

hello sir,
after Orkut on opera mini, now its facebook that’s not providing any full site link on its page, . .not even on opera 11. What should i do?
- Dennis Bournique on April 15, 2011 at 12:32 pm said:
  
  You can use the full Facebook site in Opera mini or Mobile by entering the URL http://www.facebook.com/home.php?m2w
hapihakr on January 29, 2011 at 9:28 pm said:

Dolphin Browser HD:
Menu Key | More | Settings | User Agent | Desktop

That fixes everything that can be fixed. Why can’t Opera Mini alter the user agent string? Oh well, Dolphin Browser HD works great.
janet on January 4, 2011 at 11:15 pm said:

hey well my opera mini cant see my space full site if befoore it couldd why is that plz help
vipin on November 21, 2010 at 4:45 am said:

hello .
I am not able to access picasa in full version if i type it as picasa.com it automatically changes in to picasa.m.com please help me i need the full version of picasa i have tried in 5.1 and in opera mobile 10 also
- Dennis Bournique on November 21, 2010 at 9:15 am said:
  
  http://picasa.google.com gives me the full version in Opera Mini 5.1
sameer on October 19, 2010 at 12:08 pm said:

this is site to desktop view of facebook on opera mini .

enjoyyyy

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2205031654
kailash kumar, Bareilly on October 12, 2010 at 6:40 am said:

hello there,

I am using my new handset Nokia c3. And I access the internet by opera 5.1, but there is a problem to access orkut in full desktop view. But when I access orkut very first time, It shows in full desktop version. Even I can’t show my Images in my mobile view version.
Please tell me how can I access full desktop view of orkut???????????????????????????
yoto on October 11, 2010 at 8:44 am said:

I found a tricky way to load facebook full version on opera mini. Access the touch site from the link at the bottom then access the full site from the touch site by clicking the link at the bottom of the touch site.

However the mobile site will appear again if we access some feature on facebook (i forgot the feature), and we can’t give comment on status too. Opmin is sucked when accessing facebook. Even i have to login every time i access m.facebook.com
- kali on February 3, 2011 at 3:37 am said:
  
  i found a easy way to go to any link whilst on fullsite
  reload the fullsite over again before clicking on any link like profile, inbox,notification,photos ETC
  IT WORKS FOR ME
jack leung on July 23, 2010 at 10:01 am said:

The easiest way is to use a fake User-agent to pretend you are not a mobile platform (or simple don’t declare it).

1. type opera:config in the url
2. search for “agent” as quick lookup
3. put in e.g “opera/9.5” as custom user agent.

U can always go to http://www.useragentstring.com/ to check yr current agent string
- Dennis Bournique on July 23, 2010 at 1:16 pm said:
  
  That only works in Opera Mobile, not Opera Mini.
Monika on July 7, 2010 at 8:32 pm said:

Hi i have nokia 7430. I have previously discuss my problem of not being able to view full orkut on opera mini 4.2 and 5 beta 2. U replied its nt compatible with my phone. But earlier it was showing full orkut. Infact since 25 june, its not showing full orkut.
- Dennis Bournique on July 8, 2010 at 8:02 am said:
  
  I never said that Opera Mini or Orkut was incompatible with your phone, I said it’s an Orkut problem that affects everyone.
  
  I referred you to the comments on http://wapreview.com?p=581 for a suggested workaround. Did you try that?
  
  Also, Please stop posting the same question over and over again.
Monika on July 4, 2010 at 6:47 am said:

Hi i have nokia 7230. I have downloaded opera mini 5 beta 2. When i click on view full site for orkut it dont show full site. Instead it show mobile version. Earlier i have downloaded opera mini 4.2 but that also not show full site. I access internet through mobile office
Carlin on June 23, 2010 at 10:45 am said:

Instead of trying to get all web sites to support mobile users better, especially since you specifically like Opera Mini, why not ask Opera to make an option for Opera Mini to emulate desktop browsers? That would trick every web site into giving the full site. I really wish Opera Mini had this feature. I prefer Opera Mini over Bolt, but use Bolt for some sites that have mobile support–I prefer not to have to search for “Full Site” links.
TAoz on May 25, 2010 at 6:04 am said:

Just redirected to mobile just a few mins here, and can not access the full site now :(
- Dennis Bournique on May 25, 2010 at 10:47 am said:
  
  What site?
Mandy on March 10, 2010 at 2:57 am said:

Why is that whenever i try to log in the full site of facebook, it redirects to mobile version.? It worked before, bt it has been happening for a week nw. It opened yesterday, bt today it again redirected to mobile version. I tried the url u’ve provided, bt same thing happened.. Plzz help
- Dennis Bournique on March 10, 2010 at 10:47 am said:
  
  It looks like Facebook has broken the full site access from mobile. I’ve submitted the following “suggestion” on Facebook’s Help page at http://www.facebook.com/help/ (to submit a suggestion, click “mobile” on the help page and then “Have a suggestion? Tell us about it.”)
  
  “Until recently it was possible to to access the full version of Facebook using Opera Mini and other mobile browsers by visiting http://www.facebook.com/home.php?m2w
  
  But that URL now loads the mobile version. I prefer the full version to the dumbed down mobile version. Please restore this feature.”
  
  I suggest that you also submit a similar suggestion.
  
  As a temporary alternative try:
  Facebook Lite: http://lite.facebook.com/
  or
  Facebook Touch: http://touch.facebook.com/
- Yathish on June 27, 2010 at 6:49 pm said:
  
  Logout from your facebook account,and type http://www.facebook.com,
  at the very top you’ll get an option “click here to access main site” you’ll be able to access the full version
Gabriel on February 12, 2010 at 3:13 pm said:

Hi, does anyone know a way to view the full version of pictures.sprintpcs.com in opera mobile? I have a windows phone. Opera just allows me to access the mobile version of the site.

I can access it with skyfire but I’d love to use opera instead.
Leon on January 17, 2010 at 11:57 am said:

How about Google Voice full version on the Mini? Thanks.
Dennis Bournique on January 2, 2010 at 2:33 pm said:

To view the full version of Facebook in Opera Mini and other mobile browsers use: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?m2w
- ymguna on April 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm said:
  
  hi i able to access full facebook web by adding ‘?m2w’ in the end of url.
  thanks a lot for he tips…
Fizan on January 2, 2010 at 1:05 pm said:

Work around for facebook??
Dennis Bournique on December 3, 2009 at 9:57 am said:

Looks like the Yahoo workaround has changed: Now it’s http://yahoo.com/?m=1 to force desktop version on mobiles.
I’ve updated the post.
dar ster on December 2, 2009 at 5:20 am said:

workaround for yahoo doesnt work anymore…
Dennis Bournique on July 3, 2009 at 4:14 pm said:

Smith,
http://www.weather.com gives me the full version of Weather.com. The weather map URL works too if you refresh the page after it loads. It’s not animated because Opera Mini doesn’t support animation but you can step through the frames one by one with the “>” key.
Sm1th on July 2, 2009 at 10:34 am said:

Please, if anyone knows how to access the regular version of weather.com it would be greatly appreciated. The link to the full version disappeared with the new rollout. I just want to see this animation, otherwise it is a still image in the mobile site. Web developers: stop choosing for us, we’re not 3 years old anymore!

http://www.weather.com/maps/maptype/currentweatherusnational/usinfraredsatellite_large_animated.html
Dennis Bournique on May 8, 2009 at 7:30 pm said:

Shnyx,

As stated in the post. “Just about all Microsoft sites including Hotmail force Opera Mini users to a mobile version with no known workaround.”

If you find a way to do it please let us know.
Shnyx on May 8, 2009 at 9:27 am said:

Hei, plz is there any way to view the ful version of hotmail in opera mini. Pls mail me.(Email Removed)
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Sig on March 5, 2009 at 3:49 am said:

I’m a huge fan of Opera Mini, but this issue is BS.
One website I use forces a re-direct to the mobile site which is a pay site, while the normal full website is free.
This even happens when using Opera Mini.
I tried using various anonymous proxies, but the website would still not work in Opera Mini.
Then I found http://www.boltbrowser.com. It’s a java webbrowser like Opera Mini (in beta), but it worked first time and like a bomb.
The Opera guys NEED TO PICK UP THEIR GAME!!!
Barbara Ballard on March 2, 2009 at 9:35 am said:

Google in general is very bad about this. Google Reader always shows up as mobile version unless you do the user-unfriendly URL hack. What’s worse, for me anyhow, is any URL I click in Gmail or Reader goes through their transcoder. I have to scroll to the bottom and click the link saying “HTML version” (but this page IS in HTML), before seeing the real page. Every time. For years.
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Dennis Bournique on February 28, 2009 at 9:10 am said:

Thanks Lewis, I’ve added your Google News link to the post along with some others I found on the Opera Mini forum at my.opera.com.

I tried extracting the iGoogle url from the Google cache results but failed to come up with anything that works.
Lewis on February 28, 2009 at 4:28 am said:

Dennis, if you use this url – http://news.google.com/nwshp?hl=en&tab=wn – you should get the full igoogle news page and I’m sure if one examines the url of igoogle cached via the method already described you could extract a usable url for the front page – I was just to impatient to do so.
Lewis on February 28, 2009 at 4:17 am said:

Of course, Helloct, I’m being stupid – if you go via classic google search and click the cache of igoogle you get the full sight. I’ve just tried and can confirm it works.
Lewis on February 28, 2009 at 4:09 am said:

That’s really tedious of google. I hadn’t visited, via mini, igoogle for sometime but the last time I did it gave the full sight. There must be some way of getting google to allow this again. Of course, if om allowed a change of ua that would help. Helloct , I don’t understand what you mean by cached and with regards to what service? You couldn’t give a bit more detail? Thanks, Lewis.
Helloct on February 27, 2009 at 4:25 pm said:

Well me for that, i simply use the Cached Page on the Google Classic and it work perfectly with Opera Mini.

Comments are closed.