There are several ways to switch between Google Chrome tabs quickly and efficiently both when using the computer version and when using the mobile version. If you're in the habit of using a lot of tabs on your computer often, it might be helpful to learn a few tricks, like locking a tab so it's always visible at the top of the Chrome window, or quickly reopening a tab you just closed.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Manage Chrome Tabs on Computer
Step 1. Switch to the next open tab from the one currently in use
Press the Ctrl key combination to perform this step. In this way you will have the possibility to view the contents of the card that is to the right of the one currently in use. If you are using the Chrome tab which is on the far right of the list of open ones, you will be redirected to the first one. This command is compatible with versions of Chrome for Windows, Mac, Chromebook, and Linux, but other operating systems may have additional options available:
- You can also use the key combination "Ctrl + Page Down". If you are using a MacBook, you will need to use the key combination "Fn + Control + Directional Arrow Down".
- On Mac you can use the key combination "Command + Option + Right Arrow". Normally on Mac the "Ctrl" key is indicated by the word "Control".
Step 2. Switch to the previous tab
Press the Ctrl key combination to perform this step. This will display the contents of the tab that is to the left of the one currently in use. If you're already working on the first Chrome tab (the one on the far left of the list of open ones), you'll be automatically redirected to the last one.
- You can also use the "Ctrl + Page Up" key combination. If you are using a MacBook, you will need to use the "Fn + Control + Up Arrow" key combination.
- On Mac you can also use the key combination "Command + Option + Left Directional Arrow".
Step 3. Switch to a specific tab
The key combination to use in this case depends on the operating system used:
- On Windows, Chromebook or Linux use the key combination "Ctrl + 1" to go directly to the first tab that has been opened (the one that is on the far left of the list of open ones). Use the key combination "Ctrl + 2" to view the contents of the second tab in the list and so on up to tab number 8.
- On Mac you will need to use the key combinations from "Command + 1" to "Command + 8".
Step 4. Quickly switch to the last opened tab
To directly view the contents of the tab located on the far right of the list of open ones (independent of the number) press the key combination "Ctrl + 9". On Mac you need to use the key combination "Command + 9".
Method 2 of 3: Manage Chrome Tabs on Mobile Devices
Step 1. Switch between tabs on your smartphone
To perform this step on any Android or iOS device using Google Chrome, follow these instructions:
- Touch the icon to access the list of open tabs. It features a square if you're using Android 5 or later, or two overlapping squares on iOS devices. If you are using Android 4 or an earlier version, the icon in question can be characterized by a square or two overlapping rectangles;
- Scroll vertically through the list of open tabs;
- Tap the card you want to use.
Step 2. Use gesture commands
The Google Chrome browser on most Android and iOS mobile devices allows you to switch from one tab to another using a specific command:
- On Android, swipe your finger horizontally across the address bar that appears at the top of the screen to quickly swipe between Chrome tabs. Alternatively, you can slide your finger down from the Chrome address bar to access the list of all open tabs.
- On iOS devices, place your finger along the left or right edge of the screen and slide it towards the center.
Step 3. Switch between tabs on tablets and iPads
Using a tablet, all of Chrome's open tabs are listed at the top of the screen, just like the desktop version of Google's browser. In this case, simply touch the name of the tab to display the corresponding content on the screen.
To change the order of the tabs, press and hold your finger on a tab name and drag it to the desired position in the list
Method 3 of 3: Learn Other Keyboard Shortcuts and Tricks
Step 1. Reopen a recently closed tab
On Windows, Chromebook and Linux you need to press the key combination "Ctrl + Shift + T" to immediately reopen the last tab that was closed. On Mac you need to use the key combination "Command + Shift + T".
By repeating this command it is possible to reopen the last 10 tabs that have been closed in reverse order
Step 2. Open the links in a new tab, but continuing to work on the one currently displayed on the screen
In most cases you need to hold down the "Ctrl" key while clicking on the link to open in a new tab, while keeping the focus on the current one. On Mac you need to hold down the "Command" key.
- Alternatively, you can hold down the "Shift" key to open a link in a new Chrome tab.
- Hold down the "Ctrl + Shift" or "Command + Shift" keys on a Mac to open a link in a new Chrome tab and make it instantly active.
Step 3. Lock tabs to save space
Click on a tab name with the right mouse button and choose the "Lock" option from the context menu that will appear. This tab will be minimized and moved to the left of the list of currently open tabs. To unlock a locked card, click on the corresponding icon with the right mouse button and choose the "Unlock" option
If you don't have a mouse with two buttons, hold down the "Control" key while clicking or click on the trackpad with two fingers
Step 4. Close multiple tabs at the same time
Right-click on a tab name and choose the "Close Other Tabs" option to automatically close all open tabs except the one you are currently using. Adopting this habit saves a lot of time if you often find yourself having dozens and dozens of open tabs that weigh down the normal functioning of the browser.
Advice
To switch to another Chrome tab using the mouse, simply click on the name of the tab in question visible at the top of the browser window
Warnings
- Many smartphones and tablets have a limit on the maximum number of tabs that can be opened at the same time. Once this limit has been reached, one of the currently open tabs must be closed in order to open a new one.
- When you click on the header of a card, avoid clicking on the icon with the letter "X", otherwise the card will be closed.
