How to Switch Tabs in Chrome Browser

Whether you're using a computer or a mobile device, there are numerous efficient ways to switch between tabs in the Chrome browser. If you're someone who frequently has multiple tabs open, you can explore useful tricks like pinning a tab or reopening a recently closed tab.

Move to the next tab. Press the key combination Ctrl+Tab to move to the next tab in the browser window, which is the tab to the right of the one you're currently on. If you're already at the last tab on the right, this command will take you back to the first tab on the left. This shortcut works on operating systems like Windows, Mac, Chromebook, or Linux. Additionally, some operating systems offer extra options:

• For Windows or Linux, you can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + PgDwn.
• For Mac, use the key combination Command + Option + Right Arrow. Note that on Mac keyboards, the term 'control' is often used instead of 'Ctrl' for the above shortcuts.

Go back to the previous tab. Press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Tab to go back to the previous tab in the browser window, which is the tab to the left of the one you're currently viewing. If you're already at the first tab on the left, this shortcut will bring you to the last tab on the right.

• For Windows or Linux, you can also use the shortcut Ctrl + PgUp.
• On Mac, you can use Command + Option + Left Arrow.

Switch to a specific tab. This shortcut depends on your operating system:

• For Windows, Chromebook, or Linux, press Ctrl + 1 to go to the first tab (the far-left tab) in your browser window. Press Ctrl + 2 to switch to the second tab, and continue until Ctrl + 8 takes you to the eighth tab.
• On Mac, use Command + 1 through Command + 8 for the same function.

Go to the last tab. Regardless of how many tabs you've opened, to switch to the last tab (the far-right tab) in your browser window, simply press Ctrl + 9. On Mac, use Command + 9 instead.

Switching tabs on mobile devices. To switch tabs on any mobile device running Android or iOS with the Chrome browser, follow these steps:

• Tap on the tab overview icon. On Android 5+ it looks like a square, or two stacked squares on iPhone. Older Android versions may show a single square or two stacked rectangles.
• Scroll through the tabs vertically.
• Tap the tab you wish to switch to.

Use swipe gestures (place your finger on a spot and swipe in a fixed direction on the touchscreen) as a replacement. On most Android or iOS phones with the Chrome browser, you can quickly switch between tabs with finger swipe gestures:

• For Android, swipe horizontally across the toolbar at the top to switch between tabs quickly. You can also swipe down from the toolbar to open the tab overview.
• For iOS, place your finger on either the left or right edge of the screen and swipe inward.

Switch tabs on tablets or iPads. Tablets display all open tabs in the toolbar on the screen, just like on desktop browsers. Tap the tab you wish to switch to.

• To rearrange tabs, tap and hold a tab name, then drag it to a new position.

Reopen a recently closed tab. On Windows, Chromebook, or Linux, press Ctrl + Shift + T to reopen the most recently closed tab. On Mac, use Command + Shift + T instead.

• You can keep pressing this shortcut to open up to ten recently closed tabs.

Open a link in a new tab. On most operating systems, to open a link in a new tab without navigating to it, hold the Ctrl key and click the link. On Mac, use Command instead.

• You can substitute the Ctrl key with Shift to open the link in a new window.
• Hold Ctrl + Shift, or Command + Shift on Mac, to open the link in a new tab and automatically switch to it.

Pin tabs to save space on your browser window. Right-click on the tab's name and select "Pin tab" to minimize the tab icon size and lock it at the left corner of your tab bar. The tab will stay pinned until you right-click it again and choose "Unpin Tab".

• If you don't have a two-button mouse, you can hold the Control key while clicking, or use two fingers on your trackpad.

Close multiple tabs at once. Right-click on the tab name and select "Close Other Tabs" to close all tabs except the one you're currently using. Alternatively, choose "Close Tabs to the Right" to close all tabs to the right of the active tab. This can save you a lot of time if you need to close dozens of tabs that are slowing down your browser.