Many people find the Brave browser’s privacy features attractive but are turned off by its cryptocurrency features and promotions. If you’re one of those people, here’s how you can remove those elements and enjoy a cleaner, simpler browsing experience.
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How to Remove Cryptocurrency From Brave on Desktop
First, open your Brave browser so we can get it cleaned up and ready to go. The options for crypto-related content are scattered throughout the browser’s settings, so we’ll be doing some clicking around.
Note: If you have multiple profiles set up on Brave, be aware that changes to these settings will apply only to the current profile. You’ll need to repeat them for each profile.
Opt-Out of Brave Rewards and Disable Tip Buttons
Somewhat like Microsoft Edge’s Rewards feature, Brave has an optional rewards program allowing you to earn funds by viewing ads. If you previously opted-in but are no longer interested, you can disable Brave Rewards entirely on your browser.
Start by entering this shortcut into the address bar:
brave://settings
Alternatively, click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner of Brave. Then click “Settings” in the drop-down menu that appears.
In the left-hand menu of the Settings page, click “Brave Rewards.”
You’ll see a list of various Rewards-related settings with toggle buttons. Toggle them all off. However, if you have remaining BAT, you may want to leave the “Auto-Contribute” settings turned on to make sure it gets distributed.
With them all turned off, you’ll cease to see any ads, earn any BAT, or see any tip buttons on the websites you visit.
Hide the Brave Rewards Button From the Address Bar
If you’re not using the Brave Rewards feature, you can hide the icon from the address bar so that it doesn’t get in your way.
Remaining on the Settings page, click “Appearance” in the left-hand menu.
Find the toggle button for “Hide Brave Rewards Button” and click it.
Banish the Crypto Wallet From the Toolbar
If you don’t want the crypto wallet visible next to the address bar, removing it is easy.
On the Settings page, click the “Wallet” button on the left-hand menu.
In the options that appear, toggle off “Show Brave Wallet Icon in the Toolbar.”
RELATED: What Is a Crypto Wallet?
Block the Ads on the New Tab Page
Some of the most aggressive promotions of cryptocurrency on Brave happen on the New Tab page, with big banner ads. To get rid of them, open a new tab and click “Customize” in the bottom-right corner of Brave’s new tab page.
A dialog will appear with the “Background Image” tab open. Toggle off the “Show Sponsored Images” option.
Tip: If you don’t want any photography or artwork at all on the New Tabe page, toggle off “Show Background Images” as well.
Click the “X” button in the top-right corner of the Customization dialog to save your settings.
Disable the Crypto Widgets on the New Tab Page
By default, the New Tab page shows you widgets (or “cards”) with your Brave Rewards stats, token prices, and other crypto-related information. Disable them by first clicking the “Edit Cards” button below the card stack.
Several optional cards will appear. Find the ones you don’t want and click the “Hide” button beneath them.
Click the “X” button on the Cards dialog, and you’re good to go!
RELATED: How to Disable All of Windows 10’s Built-in Advertising
How to Hide Brave’s Cryptocurrency Features on Mobile
Let’s walk through disabling each crypto-related feature on the Brave mobile browser one-by-one.
Turn Off Brave Rewards
First, let’s make sure Brave Rewards is disabled so it won’t show you any BAT-earning ads. Tap the three-dot icon in the bottom-right corner (or the top-right if you disabled the bottom bar).
Select “Brave Rewards” from the menu that appears.
If enabled, toggle off the “Ads” option in the Brave Rewards settings so that you no longer see Brave ads in your notification tray.
Remove the Brave Rewards Icon From the Address Bar
Even if you’ve opted out of Brave Rewards, the icon will stay in the address bar until you hide it. Again pressing the three vertical dots, tap the “Settings” button.
Scroll until you find the “Appearance” button under the “Display” category and tap it.
Look for the “Hide Brave Rewards Icon” toggle and switch it on.
Disable the Ads on the New Tab Page
Sometimes promotions for cryptocurrency will appear on the New Tab page of Brave. You can block them entirely with the flip of a switch.
Back in the main Settings menu, tap on the “New Tab Page” option.
Here you’ll find the toggle for “Show Sponsored Images.” Switch it off to disable the ads.
Note that Brave will continue to show you photography and artwork on the New Tab page. If you prefer a more vanilla interface, then toggle off “Show Background Images” as well.
Hide the Binance Widget
Brave by default shows a widget on the new tab screen with a stack of “cards,” including one for the cryptocurrency exchange Binance. You can hide the Binance card, or disable the widget entirely.
First, open a new tab and tap the three horizontal dots on the widget.
If you want to don’t want the widget at all, simply select “Remove Widget.” But if you want to keep your Privacy Stats or Top Sites on the New Tab page, tap “Edit Stack” instead.
If you chose to edit the stack, a “Widget Stack” menu will appear. Tap and hold the three horizontal lines next to “Binance” (or any other card you want to remove). In the lower half of the menu, an “Available” area will appear where you can drag and drop the card.
Drop the Binance card in the Available area.
You should now find the Binance card hidden from the stack on your New Tab page.
And with that, your Brave browser has been cleansed of visible crypto features and advertising.
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