There are several efficient ways to switch tabs in the Chrome browser, both on a computer and on a mobile device. If you frequently have multiple tabs open on your computer, learn these additional tricks such as "pinning" a tab or reopening a closed tab.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Switch Tabs in Chrome on Computer
Step 1. Switch to the next tab
Press Ctrl+Tab to move to the next tab in the same window. You will move to the tab to the right of the current tab. If you are on the rightmost tab, you will return to the leftmost tab. This button works on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, or Linux, but some operating systems have additional options:
- On Windows or Linux, you can use Ctrl+PgDwn.
- On a Mac, you can use Command+⌥ Option+→ For the universal shortcut above, also note that Mac keyboard keys are usually written Control instead of Ctrl.
Step 2. Switch to the previous tab
Press Ctrl +Shift+Tab to move to the previous tab in the window, which means one tab to the left of the current one. If you are on the leftmost tab, you will be redirected to the rightmost tab.
- On Windows or Linux, you can also use Ctr+⇞ PgUp.
- On a Mac, you can also use Command+⌥ Option+larr;
Step 3. Switch to a specific tab
These shortcuts depend on your operating system:
- On Windows, Chromebook, or Linux, use Ctrl+1 to switch to the first (far left) tab of the window. Ctrl+2 will switch to the second tab, and so on, until Ctrl+8.
- On a Mac, use Command+1 to Command+8.
Step 4. Switch to the last tab
To get to the last tab (far right) in the window, no matter how many tabs you have open, press Ctrl+9. If you're on a Mac, use Command+9.
Method 2 of 3: Switch Tabs in Chrome for Mobile or Tablet
Step 1. Switch to another tab on the phone
To enable tabs on a phone running Android or iOS and using the Chrome browser mobile, follow these steps:
- Tap the tab overview icon. This tab looks like a square shape on Android 5+, or two overlapping squares on iPhone. Android 4 and below will display a square or two overlapping rectangles.
- Scroll tabs vertically.
- Tap the tab you want to use.
Step 2. Use the swipe command instead
The Chrome browser on most Android or iOS phones can switch tabs using finger gestures:
- On Android, swipe horizontally on the top toolbar to quickly switch tabs. Or, drag vertically down from the toolbar to open the tab overview.
- On iOS, place your finger on the left or right edge of the screen and swipe inward.
Step 3. Switch to another tab on your tablet or iPad
The tablet will display all open tabs at the top of the screen, just like the browser on a computer. Tap your destination tab.
To rearrange tabs, tap and hold on a tab name, then drag it to a different position
Method 3 of 3: Knowing Shortcuts and Other Tricks
Step 1. Reopen the closed tab
On Windows, Chromebook, or Linux, press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+T to open the last closed tab. On a Mac, use Command+⇧ Shift+T.
You can keep repeating this command to reopen up to ten recently closed tabs
Step 2. Open the link in a new back tab
On most operating systems, hold down Ctrl while you click a link to open it in a new tab, without having to be directed to that tab. On a Mac, hold down Command.
- You can hold down Shift to open the link in a new window.
- Hold down Ctrl+⇧ Shift, or Command+⇧ Shift on a Mac, to open the link in a new tab and be directed to it.
Step 3. Pin tabs to save space
Right-click the tab name and select "Pin tab". The tab will shrink to the size of the icon and remain on the left side of the tab, until you right-click again and select "Unpin Tab."
If you're not using a two-button mouse, hold down Control while clicking, or enable two-finger click on the track pad
Step 4. Close multiple tabs at once
Right-click a tab name and select "Close Other Tabs" to close everything except the currently viewed tab. Select "Close Tabs to the Right" to close all tabs to the right of the currently active tab. Make this a habit so it saves a lot of time and speeds up if you tend to have a lot of tabs.
Tips
To switch to a tab using the mouse, click on the tab name near the top of the browser window
Warning
- Many phones and tablets have a maximum tab limit. If this limit is reached, you must close the tab before opening a new tab.
- When clicking a tab, don't click the X, or the tab will close.
