how to access tab groups safari ipad

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How to use tab groups in safari on iphone and ipad.

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Are you overwhelming yourself with the number of tabs you have open in Safari? Using the "Tab Groups" that arrived with  iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 , you can organize them so your browser stays nice and tidy.

Similar to how tab groups work in Google Chrome  and Microsoft Edge , you can group several tabs together and give them a label. This allows you to easily find and pull up your tabs again when you need them without cluttering up your view.

Related: How to Enable and Use Tab Groups in Google Chrome

First, you'll need to open a few tabs in Safari to use the tabs group feature. After that, tap the "Tabs" button in the bottom-left corner.

The tab count of open tabs will appear on the bottom bar. Tap on the tab count to open the "Tab Groups" menu.

In the "Tabs Group" menu, you'll get two options. The "New Empty Tab Group" means you'll get to make a tab group first and then add the tabs to it. If you want to create a group from the open tabs, you'll need to choose the "New Tab Group from X Tabs" (X is a number) option.

Add a name for your new tab group and hit the "Save" button.

Safari will switch you to a new tab group and show you the grid of open tabs. The name of the tab group will appear on the bottom bar. Tap "Done" to save the changes.

After creating a tab group in Safari, there are a few things you can do.

Tap the "+" (plus) button to add a new tab to a tab group.

Hit the "x" cross sign in the top-right of the tab preview card to remove it from the group.

Tap on an open tab and drag it around to reorder it.

Hard-press on a tab, select "Arrange Tabs By" from the long-press menu and choose "Arrange Tabs By Title" or "Arrange Tabs By Websites."

You can always copy the links from the open tabs in a tab group to save them before closing all the tabs at once .

Related: How to Copy URLs of All Open Tabs in Safari

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How to use Safari tab groups on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Apple added several new features and redesigned the look for Safari in  iOS 15 ,  iPadOS 15  and  macOS 12 Monterey . The Apple browser now comes with Tab Groups, which allows easy management of tabs in Safari. You can create tab groups, rename them, delete, move tabs around, and more. These Tab Groups will also sync across all your devices, making them accessible everywhere.

In this article, you’ll learn how to use the new Tab Groups feature in Safari on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Of course, this will only work if you’ve got the developer or public beta of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS 12 Monterey running on your device.

Also see: Watch all the changes in Safari on iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 in action

How to use Tab Groups in Safari on iPhone and iPad

The Tab Groups in Safari allows you to manage your tabs better. You can create new tab groups for a specific research, move tabs between groups, rename it, and more. Here’s how to do all of this on your iPhone or iPad.

1) Launch Safari on your Apple device.

2) You’ll notice the address bar is now at the bottom of the app. Open a webpage, and tap the tabs icon  located next to the address bar.

3) In the page that appears, tap on the middle button to see the Tab Groups. If you opened a webpage and then hit the tabs icon, then you should see 1 Tab . If you started from the Start page, then you’ll see the option read Start Page .

4) You can now create a New Empty Tab Group , open a Private tab , or create a New Tab Group from 1 Tab .

5) When you create a new Tab Group, you can name then accordingly. To rename the group, press and hold the tab group name to bring up the menu with the Rename option. Access the tab groups menu by tapping the tabs icon on the main page. You can also delete the group from this menu, and copy links .

6) To add new tabs to this group, simply tap on the tabs button and hit the ‘+’ icon. All new tabs will be added to the group you just created.

7) You are also able to move tabs between tab groups. To do this, press and hold on a tab in a group and tap the Move to Tab Group option. This menu even lets you arrange tabs by title or by website .

8) If you want to close all the tabs in a group, then press and hold the tabs button in an open webpage and select Close all tabs .

As you can see, there’s a lot you can do with the new Tab Groups feature on iOS and iPadOS 15. You can move between different tab groups by swiping left or right on the address bar.

Use Safari tab groups on Mac

On Mac, Tab Groups work similarly to how they do on iOS, however, accessing the groups is a little different. Here’s how to use Safari Tab Groups on Mac.

1) Open Safari on your Mac computer.

2) Click on the Sidebar on the top left corner. You should now see the option to create a New Empty Tab Group or New Tab Group with 1 Tab .

3) You can name the new tab group, and if you want to rename it, you’ll have to right-click on the tab group from the Sidebar . You can also delete the group from this menu.

4) Tab Groups are available from the Sidebar , and you can click and hold a group to move it around.

5) To move a tab between groups, right-click on the tab and click Move to Tab Group .

6) If you want to view all the tabs in a group on a single page, then right-click on the Tap Group from the Sidebar and select Show Tab Overview .

Wrapping up

Tab Groups in Safari is definitely a useful feature, especially on the iPad and Mac. You can use it to create different groups and access those particular tabs with ease. The groups also sync between all your connected Apple devices, making it easy to access information. At first, you may find the whole Tabs Group a little confusing, but you get used to it very quick. We hope this guide has taught you how to use Tab Groups in Safari on your Apple device.

How to Use Safari Tab Groups in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15

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Apple gave Safari a much-needed visual overhaul with the iOS 15 software update. However, the changes aren't purely aesthetic; the new Tab Groups feature can potentially change how you organize tabs during your browsing session.

Organizing several tabs is no easy task on mobile devices, where you can't simply open another Safari window as you would on a Mac. Tab Groups lets you clump relevant tabs together and switch between them whenever you need to. If you're interested in adding Tab Groups to your workflow, here's a look at how to use Tab Groups on an iPhone or iPad.

What Are Tab Groups?

Before we learn how to use Tab Groups, it's important to understand what they are. In the simplest terms, a Tab Group is a folder of tabs.

You can group tabs and label them with a custom name to easily see what those tabs are for. For example, let's say you have multiple web pages open that are relevant to your work, but you want to browse casually at the same time. Instead of cluttering Safari's tab bar, you can group the tabs into a separate Tab Group and switch between personal sites and work sites at your convenience.

It's a feature that most web browsers already have, but it's finally making its way to Safari. Tab Groups will sync across your Apple devices, so you won't lose all your precious tabs when switching from your iPhone to your Mac.

Related: The Top 10 Safari Features Announced at WWDC21

How to Use Safari Tab Groups on an iPhone or iPad

You can create, view, and manage your Tab Groups from the tab overview screen in Safari. As long as your device is running iOS 15, iPadOS 15, or later, just follow these simple instructions to use Safari Tab Groups:

• Launch Safari on your iPhone or iPad and tap on the Tabs button at the corner of your screen.
• Now, you'll see the current Tab Group. Right below, you'll find the option to make a New Empty Tab Group . Alternatively, you can create a Tab Group from all your open tabs. Select your desired option.
• Next, give a preferred name for your new Tab Group and choose Save .
• Safari will switch you to this new Tab Group. You can switch between your Tab Groups from the tabs overview screen.

Once you have Tab Groups set up, it's pretty easy to manage your tabs. You can long-press on a tab from the tab overview to move it to a different Tab Group.

By default, Safari considers all the tabs you've opened as an unnamed Tab Group. To browse in Private, you now need to switch to the Private Tab Group. Don't forget that you can access all your new Tab Groups on your other devices as well, provided you've logged in to them with your Apple account. Also, if you have a Mac, make sure it's running macOS Monterey to use Safari's Tab Groups.

Related: iOS 15 Includes a Hidden VPN for iCloud Subscribers (Sort Of)

Tab Groups Are an Integral Part of the New Safari

The revamped Safari will change how you interact with the browser. For starters, Apple has moved the address bar to the bottom, which may take some time getting used to, and Tab Groups give you an all-new way to save and organize all your browsing tabs.

Besides this valuable addition, Safari also gets extension support with the iOS 15 update. You can now install third-party extensions to enhance your browsing experience with content blockers, password managers, and whatnot.

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• iPhone Tips

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How to organize Safari tabs using tab groups in iPadOS 17

Last updated 4 months ago

Tabs in Safari in iOS and iPadOS allow you to open multiple web pages at once - with each page in a separate tab. This makes reading quicker.

A few years ago, Apple added Tab Groups to Safari in iOS and iPadOS, which allows you to group tabs by category into groups with names you define. Each tab group has a name you give it, and you can add multiple web pages in tabs to each group.

Tab groups in iPadOS provide convenience by keeping multiple open tabs organized and under control.

In iPadOS 17, Apple lets you use tab groups in multiple ways. You can:

• Create new tab groups
• Add new web pages or favorites to existing groups
• Switch between tab groups in the sidebar
• View tab groups in the Start Page pane
• Search tabs

Apple calls groups in the Favorites sidebar "Tab Group Favorites".

Getting started with tabs in Safari on iPadOS

To use tab groups in Safari for iPadOS, you'll first want to open one or more web page tabs in Safari.

You can do this by tapping the + button at the top right corner of Safari, by opening an existing bookmark from the Safari Favorites page, or by opening an existing Start Page or Home Screen shortcut you've saved which points to a web page.

Or you can click the + button and then type or paste in a web URL at the top of the Safari window.

Once you have multiple web page tabs open in Safari, you're ready to create tab groups or add pages to existing tab groups.

Creating tab groups in Safari

To create a new tab group in Safari on iPadOS, first tap the sidebar icon in the upper-left corner, then tap the button to the right with the + in it:

This presents a menu containing a single item; New Empty Tab Group . After you tap it, note the "Done" button on the right.

Next, you'll be prompted to enter a name for the new tab group, so add a name and then tap Save . This adds a new tab group with the new name in the sidebar on the left:

At this point, you now have a new tab group which automatically contains all the tabs you had open when you created the new tab group. You can repeat this process as many times as you like - creating multiple tab groups, each containing a different set of open tabs.

To switch between tab groups, simply tap one of the named tab groups from the list in the sidebar on the left. This switches between sets of open web page tabs all at once.

You can hide and show the sidebar at will by tapping the icon in the upper left corner of Safari repeatedly.

Tab group favorites in the Start Page

After creating tab groups, if you now go to any Start Page in Safari by tapping the + button in Safari's upper right corner, then tap any tab group in the sidebar, you'll now see a tab group favorites section with the same name at the top of the Start Page above all individual favorites.

If you tap other tab groups in the sidebar, the Start Page's tab group favorites section changes to the name of the tab group and displays a large + button in it.

If you tap the large + button, you'll be presented with a Bookmarks menu containing several items, one of which is Tab Group Favorites :

If you tap this menu item, a submenu will be displayed showing all tab groups by name. This allows you to select any bookmarked tab in a tab group and add it to the tab group you started with.

This can be a bit confusing at first, but once you've done it a few times, you'll get the hang of it.

At the end of each of the displayed tab group submenus in the Bookmarks sheet above is a list of all currently bookmarked tabs in each tab group. Selecting any one bookmark from the Bookmarks sheet will add it back to the tab group pane on the Start Page where you began (next to the original large + button you tapped.

One important thing to note here is that merely having tabs open in any tab group is different from bookmarking them in a tab group.

Moving, pinning, closing, and arranging tabs in tab groups

Back in Safari's main window, if you press and hold on any open tab, you'll get a small popover menu that contains several items:

• Move to Tab Group
• Arrange Tabs By
• Close Other Tabs

Selecting Pin Tab moves the tab to the far left of Safari's window, pins it there, and adds a thumbtack icon to the tab. This lets you know that the tab can't be moved until you unpin it.

Selecting Move to Tab Group presents several options:

• New Tab Group
• Names of all existing tab groups

From this submenu you can either create a new tab group like you did above, send the tab to the Start Page, or move it to any existing tab group by name.

Selecting any tab group name from the submenu closes the pressed tab and sends it to that tab group.

If you select Arrange Tabs By it displays a submenu with two options: Arrange Tabs by Title and Arrange Tabs by Website

Arranging tabs by title sorts and repositions the tabs alphabetically, while arranging tabs by website reorders them so all tabs from each site are ordered next to each other.

If you select Close Tab it simply closes the pressed tab taking no further action.

If you select Close Other Tabs it closes all the other open tabs in the current tab group except the one that was pressed.

Adding tabs to tab groups Favorites manually

Once you have all your tabs and tab groups set up the way you like, you can also add any existing tab to any tab group Favorites list.

To do so, single-tap any existing tab, then tap the share sheet icon in the upper right corner of Safari's window.

This presents a popover with several items for adding the tab to Favorites, but now one of them is Add to "Name" Favorites where "Name" is the currently selected tab group in the sidebar.

Selecting this menu item adds the current tab to the currently selected tab group Favorites list. The next time you tap that tab group in the sidebar, the Favorited tab will show up in the tab group's Favorites section on the Start Page.

This can be a little confusing - you're essentially bookmarking the current tab into the Start Page, but only for the tab group indicated in the share sheet's Favorites popover menu.

Searching tabs

You can also search tabs for text you want to find. To do so, tap the small icon with two squares in the upper right corner of Safari's window.

This opens the tabs search pane and shrinks all open tabs into thumbnails. Any pinned tabs appear as page titles only with a thumbtack icon at the top of the pane:

Now you can type text into the search box at the top of the pane to search all open tabs.

Tap Cancel , then Done to return to Safari's main window.

Removing tab groups

To remove a tab group from your iPad or iPhone , press and hold a tab group by name in the sidebar, then select Delete from the popover menu.

You can also rename tab groups and show all tabs in a tab group in the sidebar from the popover.

The addition of tab groups in Safari makes opening and managing large sets of web pages easy. By organizing open pages by tab groups, and using tab group favorites, it's easy to switch between different sets of data with a few taps.

For example, you might have one tab group for work, one for personal use, family, entertainment, or research topics. When you want to switch contexts, just select a tab group to return to all the tabs you had open for that topic.

Tab groups make Safari and surfing the web on iOS and iPadOS devices much faster and more enjoyable.

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How to use Safari Tab Groups

If you’re a safari user, tab groups can help you keep your life organized and your desktop clean..

By Monica Chin , a senior reviewer covering laptops and other gadgets. Monica was a writer for Tom's Guide and Business Insider before joining The Verge in 2020.

Share this story

If you’re using Safari but you’re not using Tab Groups, well, it’s time to change that.

Tab Groups, as the name implies, allows you to group a selection of tabs together and essentially set them aside for future use. For example, if you have a bunch of tabs you use for work and a bunch of tabs you use after work, you can cordon these tabs off into batches so that they don’t get in each other’s way. You can use your work tabs at work and, when you’re finished, swap them for your “after work” tabs with just one click.

• How to use Microsoft Edge’s new tab groups feature

You might also have different Tab Groups for different assignments at work or different school projects. Folks who share a computer might have different Tab Groups for each user. The possibilities are endless.

Here’s how to create a tab group in Safari.

How to create Safari Tab Groups on macOS

There are a couple of ways to do this. The easiest method is to make a group out of whatever tabs you currently have open. If you’re about to close Safari but think you might need to pick up where you left off when you open it later, throwing your tabs into a group can give you some peace of mind.

You can also create a tab group from scratch if there is a batch of tabs you think you might want to use later. This is a bit more time-consuming but will allow you to be more selective about which tabs to include.

To create a tab group from existing tabs

• In Safari, click the down arrow in the toolbar. (It’s on the left side, next to the button that opens the sidebar.)
• Pick New Tab Group With [X] Tabs .
• In the left column, look for the Tab Group subhead. Name your tab group, then press Enter.

To create a tab group from scratch

• Click the down arrow in the toolbar. (It’s next to the button that opens the sidebar.)
• Pick New Empty Tab Group .
• Name your tab group, then press enter.
• Right-click a tab you want to add to the group, click Move to Tab Group , and select the tab group you want. Alternatively, you can click and drag the tab to your group on the left side.

To open your new tab group

• Click on that down arrow again.
• Click on the tab group you want.

Once you’ve got a group up and running, it’s not set in stone. You can adjust the makeup of a given tab group by clicking the arrow to its right in the sidebar’s tab group list. Right-click any tab that comes up, and you’ll have the option to remove it from the group, remove all tabs that aren’t it from the group, or move it to a different group,

You can also click the three dots just next to the arrow if you want to rename, delete, or share the group, along with other options.

How to create Safari Tab Groups on iOS

Tab Groups can sync between iOS and macOS devices, so if you create one on your Mac computer, you can still access it on your iPhone. Nevertheless, if it’s more convenient for you to create these from the Safari app on iOS, you can certainly do so.

• In the Safari app, click the tabs button on the bottom right. (It’s the one with two squares.)
• Press and hold a tab you want to add, then pick Move to Tab Group .
• Select New Tab Group .
• Name your new group.

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How to Use Tab Groups in Safari on iOS 15 and iPadOS 15

Use Safari Tab Groups in iOS 15 on iPhone and iPad (2021)

Create a tab group in safari on iphone and ipad.

• To get going, launch Safari on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Now, tap on the tab button (looks like cascading squares) located at the bottom right corner of the screen.

Rearrange Safari Tab Groups in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15

Notably, you can also reorder tab groups in Safari so that they appear in line with your needs. And the steps to do so are very simple.

• Launch Safari on your iOS or iPadOS device and tap the tabs button.

Rearrange Tabs in Safari Tab Groups on iOS or iPadOS 15

• Launch Safari and tap the tabs button at the bottom left.

Note : If you want to reorder the tabs of a different tab group, tap the name of the tab group located at the bottom center. After that, choose the tab group whose tabs you want to rearrange. 

Move a Tab to Another Safari Tab Group on iPhone and iPad

• Open Safari and tap the tabs button at the bottom right corner. Alternately, you can also swipe up on the search bar to bring up all the tabs.

Rename a Safari Tab Group in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15

• Head over to Safari -> tabs button and then tap the name of the tab group at the bottom to access your custom tab groups.

Close All Tabs of a Safari Tab Group in iOS 15

• Open Safari and long-press the tabs button at the bottom right corner.

2. Now, tap on the Close All “X” Tabs option. After that, tap Close All “X” Tabs again in the pop-up to confirm your action.

• Alternately, you can tap the tabs button and then long-press on any open tab. After that, select “Close Other Tabs” to close all the tabs in the tab group except this one. 
• Besides, you can tap the tabs button (or swipe up on the search bar) and then long-press on the Done to reveal the Close All “X” Tabs option. 
• iOS 15 also offers a way to close all Safari tabs automatically . Head over to Settings -> Safari -> Close Tabs and then select the preferred time after which you want the tabs to be closed automatically. 

How to Delete a Safari Tab Group on iPhone and iPad

• Launch Safari and hit the tabs button . After that, tap on the name of the tab group at the bottom center to view a complete list of groups.

Tips to Use Safari Tab Groups on iPhone and iPad Like a Pro

Rajesh Mishra

An old school bibliophile who turned a tech nerd out of obsession. When he is not digging into hacks and tracking down stories that are breaking the internet, you may find him reciting poems.

The tabs group doesn’t do it for me. I want to restore my tabs to the menu bar but I find it cant be done. I read that I can delete the tab groups but that also eliminates all the tabs in that group. I should be able to undo what I don’t like. Im not impressed and I’m not happy.

I’m enjoying iOS 15 and think I will enjoy the tab group option. However, I do not like the layout of the tabs within the group as individual tabs are microscopic!! I’d prefer the view of the prior iOS with teledex-style view. I could easily scroll thru the tabs and select which tab I wanted to access.

Don’t you just LOVE how Apple unilaterally takes away the stuff you used to prefer and replaces it with choices you didn’t want to make?

How can I revert the “arrange by website/title” feature? I want my tabs arranged by when I open then and I can’t change it back.

Same here! I accidentally discovered the arrange-by-website feature, but now when I tap a link and it opens, it’s up somewhere in the unknown middle of a huge number of tabs that I keep open—and there doesn’t seem to be any way to revert to the original arrangement! Typical of Apple to not have all the bases covered.

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How to use Tab Groups in Safari on iPhone, iPad and Mac

Updated on:

Safari on iPhone, iPad, and Mac has a Tab Group feature that makes it easy to manage several tabs. This is helpful while researching multiple things or just wanting to keep things organized. Let me tell you more about it and show you how to use Tab Groups in Safari on iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, and above.

• How to use Tab Groups in Safari on iPhone and iPad 
• How to use Tab Groups in Safari on Mac 

How to use Tab Groups in Safari on iPhone and iPad

The Safari Tab Groups come with various features. Since there’s a lot, let’s look at each feature available for Tab Groups in Safari on iPhone and iPad.

Make a Tab Group in Safari

• Launch the new Safari tab and tap the two-square icon . You may also swipe up from the redesigned bottom address bar.
• Tap Start Page . (If you have tabs open, you will see the number of tabs . Tap on it.)
• Tap New Empty Tab Group to create a Tab Group with a single empty tab (the Safari start page). You can open or add tabs to it later.
• Tap New Tab Group from [number] Tabs to create a Tab Group with all the currently open Safari tabs.

Tip : Swipe left or right on the lower address bar to switch among different group tabs (webpages).

Add or move a Safari tab to another Tab Group

• Inside Safari, tap the two-square icon at the bottom right or swipe up from the address bar. You will see all the open tabs as thumbnails.
• Long-press a thumbnail and tap Move to Tab Group .

Arrange Safari tabs in a Tab Group

• Tap the two-square icon from the bottom right of Safari.
• Long-press any tab thumbnail.

Close a Tab Group in Safari

• Make sure one of the tabs from a Tab Group is open in Safari.

• Additionally : You may also tap the two-square icon or swipe up from the address bar. Next, long-press Done and tap Close All [number] Tabs .

Rename a Safari Tab Group

• Tap the two-square icon from Safari’s bottom right.
• Tap what is written in the middle of the address bar to see your Tab Groups.
• Long-press a Tab Group and choose Rename . Or swipe right to left on a Tab Group name and tap the edit icon (pencil icon).

Share Tab Groups in Safari

• Open Safari .
• Select the Tab Group you want to share. 
• Tap the Share button . 

From here, you can select where you want to share the Tab Groups.

Pin tabs in Safari on iPhone with iOS 16

This is a feature that can be a lifesaver if you are someone who has lots of Safari tabs running. You can pin the most important tabs to save time. 

• Open Safari and tap the Tabs icon. 
• Tap and hold the tab to pin. 
• Select Pin Tab. 
• Pin the tabs you want to, and then tap Done . 

Create favorites within Safari Tab Groups

• Open the Safari Tab Group . 
• Open Start Page or create a new one.
• Scroll down and tap Edit  
• Toggle on Tab Group Favorites . 
• Exit the page. 

Now, whenever you create a new Start page in the Tab Groups, you will see the favorite Tab Groups. 

Delete a Tab Group in Safari on iPhone

• Tap the two-square icon on Safari’s bottom right.
• Tap the text in the middle of the address bar.
• Long-press a Tab Group and tap Delete . Or, swipe right to left and tap the red trash icon .

How to use Tab Groups in Safari on Mac

Just like the Safari Tab Groups available for iPhone and iPad, the Safari app on your Mac also has some cool features. So let’s check them out.

Create a Tab Group in Safari

• Launch the Safari app and click the Sidebar icon at the top left.
• Click New Empty Tab Group .
• If you have a few tabs open, click New Tab Group with [number] Tabs .

Rename a Tab Group in Safari

• Click the Sidebar icon at Safari’s top left.
• Right-click the desired Tab Group and choose Rename . You can also click the three dots next to the Tab Group on Ventura to select Rename.  
• Enter the new name of your choice. This will help you keep Tab Groups organized and labeled.

Move Safari tabs from one Tab Group to another in macOS

• Right-click the tab and choose Move to Tab Group .
• Next, select one of the other Tab Groups.
• If you select Start Page, it moves the tab to standard non-grouped tabs.

Rearrange Safari Tab Groups

• Click the Sidebar icon from the top left to see the Tab Groups.
• Click and hold one of the Tab Groups and drag it up or down to the desired spot.

View all tabs of a Tab Group in a gridview

Wondering how you can see all the tabs of a group in grid view? Here’s how.

• Click the Sidebar icon at the top left to see the Tab Groups.
• Right-click one of the Tab Groups and choose Show Tab Overview .
• Or, click the grid icon (four tiny squares). For Ventura, Click two squares .

Delete a Safari Tab Group in macOS

• Click the Sidebar icon from Safari’s top left.
• Right-click a Tab Group and choose Delete .
• Important : All open tabs of this group will close too.

This is how you can use Tab Groups in Safari on different Apple devices in the latest version of their respective operating systems. I hope this guide was helpful, and now you have no trouble using this new feature. If you need further assistance, drop your concern in the comments, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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How to use Safari Tab Groups to take control of your browser tabs

By Ed Hardy • 11:00 am, February 24, 2022

Keeping large numbers of browser tabs open is such a common habit that Apple created a system to organize them. Safari Tab Groups let you put open tabs into logical collections so you can more easily work with them. And the same groups are available across all your Apple devices.

The system gets a little complicated. But here’s how to get started with Safari Tab Groups.

Organize your web browsing with Safari Tab Groups

I currently have 33 tabs open. And that’s a small number compared to some people. Many of these I’ve recently opened and will close soon, but others I access so frequently there’s no point in ever closing them. For years, I just kept a bunch of browser windows open. Then Apple invented Safari Tab Groups in macOS Catalina, iPadOS 15 and iOS 15, giving me — all of us — a better way to organize them.

Some of the browser tabs I have open are for work, others are for my personal life. That’s an obvious way to organize them. An advantage of Tab Groups is that you can name the groups, making them easier to keep track of.

To be clear, when you switch away from a group, every window in it doesn’t close — they remain open but hidden in the background. You can safely navigate between groups without being concerned that you’ll have to keep reloading pages.

How to create Tab Groups

If you haven’t used Tab Groups before, all your open tabs are in a single unnamed group. This is the default space for new tabs to open from outside Safari.

You can create a new group by hitting the Add Tab Group button. It looks like a plus + sign inside of a couple of squares. You’ll find this at the top of the screen after you’ve opened the left sidebar.

Pressing the button gives you two options. You can create a New Empty Tab Group or create a New Tab Group from X Tabs . The second option puts all the tabs you currently have open into the new group.

Once you make your choice, you’ll be asked to name the new group. Do yourself a favor and pick a logical name — the whole point here is to get organized.

When you are in the group, you’ll see its name at the top of the screen. You can tap on it to create additional tab groups, or move between the ones you have open.

Create a Tab Group on your Mac and it’ll automatically appear on your iPad and iPhone, as long as they all use the same Apple ID. That’s one of the big advantages of this system — you can easily switch devices and pick up where you left off.

How to work with Tab Groups

As I mentioned before, Safari in macOS Catalina and iPadOS 15 has a sidebar on the left primarily to display and organize Tab Groups. With the sidebar open, click/tap on the name of the Tab Group you want to view.

Alternatively, click/tap on the name of the group you’re currently using where it’s displayed in the toolbar. Apple calls it the Tabs button . That will open a drop-down window with a list of all the open groups. Click/Tap on the one you want to open.

If you’re on a Mac or an iPad with a keyboard attached, you can quickly switch between Tab Groups with CMD-SHIFT-UP and CMD-SHIFT-DOWN.

Moving a single open tab between groups is easy. Tap and hold or click and hold on the name of the tab you want to move in the tab bar. That will open a pop-up menu with Move to Tab Group as one of the options. Hit that and a second pop-up window will show a list of your Tab Groups. Select one and the tab will disappear — it’s moved to the new group, leaving you still looking at the current group.

What about iPhone?

Safari Tab Groups are also available on iPhone. But the handset’s small screen compared to Mac and iPad requires some design changes. For example, there’s no left sidebar.

All the features of Tab Groups are available via the Tabs button in the toolbar. Hit it to display all open tabs as tiny windows. On the bottom of the screen is the Tab Groups button labeled with the number of tabs you have open. Tap on it.

That opens a pop-up window showing all your tab groups. Tap on one to go to it. This is also where you’ll find the option to create a New Empty Tab Group or create a New Tab Group from X Tabs .

Choose whichever Safari organization system works best for you

Safari on iPad and Mac still allows you to open multiple windows . And don’t confuse Safari windows and Tab Groups. They’re distinctly different. You can switch between Tab Groups in a single window. Or have the same Tab Group open in multiple windows.

It can be a bit confusing. But all that’s happening is Apple is giving you multiple options for organizing your browser tabs. You could ignore Tab Groups and put your tabs into separate windows. Choose the system that works best for you.

If you need more advice, check Apple’s support webpage for using Safari Tab Groups on Mac .

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iOS 16: How to Share Safari Tab Groups

In iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, Apple allows you to share Tab Groups in Safari. Keep reading to learn how it's done.

In a Tab Group, you can easily collect and save related tabs, whether the webpages are being used to help you plan a trip or to work on a project. And in iOS 16, you can share those tabs with colleagues, friends and family, allowing multiple people to contribute links and work together.

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How To Use Safari Tab Groups

• Software & Applications
• Browsers & Extensions

Introduction

Safari Tab Groups are a powerful feature that can revolutionize the way you browse the web. With the ever-increasing number of tabs open in our browsers, it's easy to get overwhelmed and lose track of important websites. This is where Safari Tab Groups come to the rescue, offering a seamless and organized way to manage your tabs.

Imagine having the ability to group related tabs together, such as work-related tabs, research tabs, or even tabs for planning your next vacation. This feature allows you to keep your browsing experience tidy and efficient, enabling you to focus on the task at hand without the distraction of a cluttered tab bar.

In this article, we will delve into the world of Safari Tab Groups, exploring how to create and manage them effectively. Additionally, we will uncover the productivity benefits of utilizing Tab Groups, providing you with valuable insights on how to make the most of this feature.

So, whether you're a seasoned Safari user or just getting started with this innovative browser , buckle up as we embark on a journey to unlock the full potential of Safari Tab Groups. Let's dive in and discover how this feature can transform the way you browse the web.

What are Safari Tab Groups?

Safari Tab Groups are a game-changing feature designed to bring order to the chaos of tab overload. They allow users to organize and manage their open tabs more efficiently, providing a seamless way to group related tabs together. This functionality is particularly beneficial for individuals who frequently find themselves juggling numerous tabs, whether for work, research, or personal browsing.

By creating Tab Groups, users can categorize their open tabs based on specific themes or tasks. For example, if you're working on multiple projects simultaneously, you can create separate Tab Groups for each project, ensuring that relevant tabs are neatly organized and easily accessible. This not only streamlines your browsing experience but also minimizes the clutter in your tab bar, making it easier to locate and switch between tabs.

Safari Tab Groups offer a level of customization that empowers users to tailor their browsing environment to suit their unique needs. Whether you're a multitasking professional, a student conducting research, or simply an avid internet user, Tab Groups provide a structured approach to managing your online activities.

Furthermore, Safari Tab Groups are designed to sync seamlessly across your Apple devices, allowing you to access and manage your tab organization from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. This synchronization ensures that you can pick up where you left off, regardless of the device you're using, thereby enhancing continuity and productivity.

In essence, Safari Tab Groups serve as a dynamic tool for decluttering your browsing experience, enhancing productivity, and maintaining a clear focus on your online tasks. With the ability to create, customize, and sync Tab Groups, Safari users can take control of their tab management and elevate their browsing efficiency to new heights.

Creating a Tab Group

Creating a Tab Group in Safari is a straightforward process that empowers users to organize their browsing experience with precision and ease. To initiate this seamless tab management feature, follow these simple steps:

Open Safari and Navigate to the Tabs Overview : Begin by launching Safari on your Mac and navigating to the Tabs Overview. You can access this view by clicking on the icon located at the far right of the tab bar, or by using the keyboard shortcut Shift-Command-.

Create a New Tab Group : Once in the Tabs Overview, click on the "New Tab Group" button located in the upper-right corner of the screen. This action prompts Safari to generate a new Tab Group, which will appear as a separate section in the Tabs Overview.

Assign a Name to the Tab Group : After creating the Tab Group, you have the option to assign a name to it based on the content or theme of the tabs it will contain. Simply click on the default name to edit it, and enter a descriptive title that accurately represents the purpose of the Tab Group.

Add Tabs to the Tab Group : To populate the newly created Tab Group, drag and drop individual tabs from the Tabs Overview into the designated Tab Group section. Alternatively, right-click on a tab and select "Add to Tab Group," choosing the relevant Tab Group from the dropdown menu.

Customize Tab Group Layout : Safari allows users to rearrange tabs within a Tab Group, facilitating a personalized layout that aligns with their preferences. Simply drag and drop tabs within the Tab Group to reorder them according to priority or relevance.

Save and Access Tab Groups Across Devices : Once you've organized your tabs into a Tab Group, Safari automatically saves this configuration and syncs it across your Apple devices. This seamless synchronization ensures that you can access and manage your Tab Groups from your iPhone, iPad, or other Mac devices, providing a consistent browsing experience across platforms.

By following these steps, you can effortlessly create and customize Tab Groups in Safari, enabling a more structured and efficient approach to managing your open tabs. Whether you're streamlining your work-related tabs, grouping research materials, or organizing leisurely browsing sessions, Safari's Tab Groups offer a versatile solution for tailored tab management.

Managing Tab Groups

Once you've created Tab Groups in Safari, it's essential to understand how to effectively manage and optimize them to suit your browsing needs. Safari provides intuitive tools and functionalities to streamline the management of Tab Groups, allowing users to maintain a well-organized and productive browsing environment. Here's a detailed look at how you can manage Tab Groups efficiently:

Renaming Tab Groups

Safari enables users to rename Tab Groups to reflect their content or purpose accurately. To rename a Tab Group, simply right-click on the Tab Group name in the Tabs Overview and select "Rename Tab Group." This feature empowers users to customize their Tab Groups with descriptive and identifiable names, enhancing clarity and organization.

Rearranging Tabs Within Tab Groups

Managing Tab Groups involves the ability to rearrange tabs within each group to optimize their layout. Safari allows users to drag and drop individual tabs within a Tab Group, facilitating personalized organization based on priority or relevance. This feature is particularly beneficial for maintaining a structured workflow and ensuring quick access to essential tabs within each group.

Closing and Reopening Tab Groups

Safari provides seamless functionality for closing and reopening Tab Groups as needed. Users can close an entire Tab Group by right-clicking on the Tab Group name in the Tabs Overview and selecting "Close Tab Group." Additionally, closed Tab Groups can be reopened from the "Recently Closed" section in the Tabs Overview, allowing for flexible management of Tab Groups based on dynamic browsing requirements.

Removing Tabs from Tab Groups

In scenarios where a tab no longer aligns with the content or theme of a specific Tab Group, Safari offers a straightforward method for removing tabs from the group. Users can simply drag the tab out of the Tab Group section in the Tabs Overview, relocating it to the main tab bar or another Tab Group as needed. This capability ensures that Tab Groups remain dynamically curated to reflect the user's evolving browsing activities.

Deleting Tab Groups

When a Tab Group is no longer required, Safari allows users to delete it effortlessly. By right-clicking on the Tab Group name in the Tabs Overview and selecting "Delete Tab Group," users can efficiently remove redundant or obsolete Tab Groups, streamlining their browsing environment and maintaining a concise tab management structure.

By leveraging these management capabilities, Safari users can effectively tailor their Tab Groups to align with their browsing habits and workflow, ensuring a seamless and organized browsing experience. Whether it's fine-tuning the layout of Tab Groups, reorganizing tabs, or optimizing the overall tab management structure, Safari's intuitive tools empower users to maintain a clutter-free and productive browsing environment.

Using Tab Groups for Productivity

Safari Tab Groups are not only about decluttering your browsing experience; they also serve as a powerful tool for enhancing productivity. By leveraging the organizational capabilities of Tab Groups, users can streamline their workflow, minimize distractions, and optimize their online productivity. Here's how you can harness the potential of Tab Groups to boost your efficiency and focus:

Task-Specific Tab Groups

Create dedicated Tab Groups for different tasks or projects, such as work assignments, research endeavors, or personal endeavors. By grouping relevant tabs together, you can seamlessly transition between tasks without the cognitive load of sifting through numerous open tabs. This targeted approach enhances focus and efficiency, allowing you to dive into specific tasks with clarity and purpose.

Time Management and Focus

Utilize Tab Groups to allocate specific time slots for different activities. For instance, you can create a "Morning Routine" Tab Group containing tabs related to news, emails, and productivity tools, and a "Work Projects" Tab Group for your primary work-related tabs. By compartmentalizing your browsing activities, you can adhere to a structured schedule, minimize distractions, and maintain a clear focus on the task at hand.

Research and Learning

For students, researchers, or avid learners, Tab Groups offer a convenient way to organize and manage educational resources. Create separate Tab Groups for different subjects, courses, or research topics, allowing you to access relevant materials with ease. This approach not only enhances organization but also facilitates a seamless transition between different areas of study, promoting a more efficient and immersive learning experience.

Collaborative Work

In a collaborative work environment, Tab Groups can be utilized to streamline team projects and shared research. By creating Tab Groups for specific team initiatives, members can access and contribute to relevant resources, articles, and references within a structured framework. This collaborative approach fosters efficient information sharing, enhances project coordination, and promotes a cohesive workflow among team members.

Distraction-Free Browsing

By organizing tabs into purpose-driven Tab Groups, users can minimize the temptation to succumb to unrelated or distracting content. This proactive approach to tab management cultivates a distraction-free browsing environment, enabling users to stay on track with their intended tasks and goals.

In essence, Safari Tab Groups offer a versatile solution for enhancing productivity and focus in the digital realm. By leveraging the customizable and synchronized nature of Tab Groups, users can optimize their browsing experience, streamline their workflow, and elevate their productivity to new heights. Whether it's managing work tasks, facilitating collaborative projects, or fostering a conducive learning environment, Tab Groups empower users to take control of their online activities and achieve a more efficient and focused browsing experience.

In conclusion, Safari Tab Groups represent a paradigm shift in the realm of tab management, offering users a dynamic and intuitive solution for organizing their browsing experience. By providing the ability to create, customize, and synchronize Tab Groups across devices, Safari empowers users to declutter their tab bars, streamline their workflow, and enhance their productivity.

The introduction of Tab Groups has redefined the way users interact with their open tabs, transcending the traditional approach of navigating through a sea of unorganized tabs. With the flexibility to categorize tabs based on specific themes, tasks, or projects, users can curate a tailored browsing environment that aligns with their unique needs and preferences.

Furthermore, the seamless synchronization of Tab Groups across Apple devices ensures a consistent browsing experience, allowing users to transition effortlessly between their iPhone, iPad, and Mac while maintaining the integrity of their tab organization.

From a productivity standpoint, Tab Groups serve as a catalyst for optimizing focus, time management, and collaborative endeavors. Whether it's compartmentalizing tasks, allocating dedicated time slots for specific activities, or facilitating collaborative work, Tab Groups offer a versatile framework for enhancing efficiency and minimizing distractions.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the importance of efficient tab management cannot be overstated. Safari Tab Groups stand as a testament to Apple's commitment to empowering users with tools that not only simplify their digital interactions but also elevate their overall browsing experience.

In essence, Safari Tab Groups are not just a feature; they are a gateway to a more organized, efficient, and focused browsing experience. By embracing the potential of Tab Groups, users can transcend the chaos of tab overload and embark on a journey towards a more structured and productive online presence.

So, whether you're a professional striving for seamless workflow management, a student navigating the complexities of research and learning, or an avid internet user seeking clarity and organization, Safari Tab Groups offer a transformative solution that resonates with the diverse needs of modern-day browsing.

In the ever-expanding digital landscape, Safari Tab Groups stand as a beacon of innovation, providing users with the tools to navigate the complexities of the web with precision, clarity, and efficiency. It's time to embrace the power of Tab Groups and unlock a browsing experience that is tailored to your unique preferences and requirements.

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How to use tabs and private browsing in Safari for iPhone and iPad

Become a tab master.

• How to open a new tab in Safari
• How to switch tabs in Safari
• How to close a tab in Safari
• How to view recently-closed tabs in Safari
• How to view websites from your other devices in Safari

How to use Tab Groups in Safari

• How to use private browsing in Safari

Tabs in Safari let you keep multiple web pages open so you can switch between them efficiently or refer back to them whenever you want. You can open links in new tabs, so you don't lose where you're currently surfing, and even go into Private Mode to give you some privacy on the internet.

Safari has been around for a couple of decades now, and there's a lot to learn — especially for power users. As a first-party app, there are some excellent iOS features Apple's browser can offer, and it integrates seamlessly with your other Apple devices, making it the best web-browser to navigate seamlessly between iPhone, iPad, and Mac. 

How to open a new tab in Safari on iPhone and iPad

Note: We have our Safari Tab Bar at the bottom of our iPhone screen, but all the steps in this guide work if you have yours at the top except from gesture-based manoeuvring. For more on moving the Safari address bar, check out our guide: How to change the Safari address bar on iPhone .

• Open Safari
• On an iPhone, tap the show pages icon in the bottom right of the screen (it looks like two squares). A quick swipe up from the Bottom Tab Bar on iOS 15 and newer gets you there even quicker.
• Tap the + button.

Alternatively, tap and hold the show pages icon, then tap New Tab . For those who like gestures, a quick swipe to the left on the Bottom Tab Bar opens a new tab while a swipe to the right goes back to your previous one. 

You can also open links you come across in a new tab by doing the following:

• Tap and hold (long press) the link you want to open in a new tab.
• Tap Open in New Tab (or Open in Background on iPad).

If you're on an iPad, you can open a link in a new window with Split Screen in Safari . Instead of tapping Open in Background, hit Open in Split Screen to have both tabs side by side -- great for when you're working on an essay for example.

How to switch tabs in Safari on iPhone and iPad

• On an iPhone, tap the show pages icon in the bottom right of the screen (it looks like two squares). On iPad, this looks like four squares and appears in the top right of the screen.
• Tap the tab you want to view.

You'll also benefit from Mac-like tab dividers beneath the URL field on the iPad's larger display. You can tap these to switch between tabs too.

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How to close a tab in Safari on iPhone and iPad

• Tap the X in the top right of a tab to close it. (You can also swipe the card to the left to throw it away).

While the above steps work on an iPad, it is easier to tap the X next to your tab in the toolbar to close it and save yourself an extra tap.

How to quickly close all tabs in Safari on iPhone and iPad

• On an iPhone, tap and hold the show pages icon in the bottom right of the screen (it looks like two squares). On iPad, this looks like four squares and appears in the top right of the screen.
• Tap Close All X Tabs .

How to view recently-closed tabs in Safari for iPhone and iPad

• On an iPhone, tap the show pages icon in the bottom right of the screen (it looks like two squares). On iPad, you can skip this step.
• Tap and hold the + button to bring up the Recently Closed Tabs menu.

How to view tabs open on your other devices in Safari on iPhone and iPad

Safari's iCloud Tabs feature lets you quickly and easily access web pages you've already opened in Safari on any of your other Apple devices — iPhones, iPads, or Macs. It's a very useful tool for getting the most out of your Apple ecosystem.

• On iPhone or iPad, tap the URL field in the Bottom Tab Bar .
• Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see tabs open on your other devices.
• Click on the tab you want to access from your other device.

Each device linked to your iCloud account is sorted alphabetically -- if you don't see your iPhone, iPad, or Mac make sure you sign in with the same Apple ID credentials across all devices. Note: tabs created in Private Browsing mode do not appear in iCloud Tabs, so you won't see those.

In iOS 16 , Apple improved upon Tab-Groups in Safari. Tab-Groups are a great way to combine several tabs together and organize them to make them easy to find. The feature also saves you from leaving a ton of tabs open for later reference.

We have a dedicated guide on how to use Tab Groups in Safari , so check that out to get the most out of the organizing tool. 

How to use private browsing in Safari on iPhone and iPad

Private browsing works just like regular browsing, except Safari won't cache your search terms or add the pages to your browser history -- this can be useful around the holiday period when gift shopping. Here's how to open private browsing on iPhone or iPad.

• Tap Private or New Private Tab .

To exit private browsing mode, press and hold the show pages icon and tap (number) Tabs to return to your previously open regular tabs.

You can also start and stop a private browsing section from the sidebar menu on the iPad.

Become a tab master

Using Safari on iPhone and iPad is similar to using Safari on Mac , however, the interface has some differences to account for smaller screens and touchscreen input. With the above guidance, you'll be well on your way to browsing Safari like a pro on your iOS devices making sure you're getting the best iPhone and best iPad experience possible.

John-Anthony Disotto is the How To Editor of iMore, ensuring you can get the most from your Apple products and helping fix things when your technology isn’t behaving itself. Living in Scotland, where he worked for Apple as a technician focused on iOS and iPhone repairs at the Genius Bar, John-Anthony has used the Apple ecosystem for over a decade and prides himself in his ability to complete his Apple Watch activity rings. John-Anthony has previously worked in editorial for collectable TCG websites and graduated from The University of Strathclyde where he won the Scottish Student Journalism Award for Website of the Year as Editor-in-Chief of his university paper. He is also an avid film geek, having previously written film reviews and received the Edinburgh International Film Festival Student Critics award in 2019.  John-Anthony also loves to tinker with other non-Apple technology and enjoys playing around with game emulation and Linux on his Steam Deck.

In his spare time, John-Anthony can be found watching any sport under the sun from football to darts, taking the term “Lego house” far too literally as he runs out of space to display any more plastic bricks, or chilling on the couch with his French Bulldog, Kermit. 

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How to Use Shared Tab Groups in Safari

Planning a trip or buying furniture and need to share a lot of links back and forth? Use the new shared tab groups feature in Safari instead.

Apple introduced major updates to Messages this year in iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura. Features like Edit or Undo sent messages and SharePlay in Messages have blown up.

But one feature that has gone rather under the radar is Collaboration using the Messages app. The new OS updates make collaborating in various apps like Keynote, Notes, Pages, Numbers, Finder, Reminders, etc. extremely easy. One of the key apps that Collaboration has come to is Safari.

Collaboration in Safari builds upon a feature introduced last year that became an instant hit – Tab Groups. Safari now lets you share these grouped tabs with your friends, family, colleagues, etc., and collaborate on them. Let’s decipher what it all means and how you can use it.

What are Shared Tab Groups in Safari?

Before diving into what Shared Tab Groups mean, let’s have a crash course on Tab Groups to jog your memory if you haven’t been using them prominently until now. Introduced in iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey, tab groups do exactly what it sounds like.

The feature allows you to group certain tabs together so you can manage the clutter of open tabs in Safari. Simply put, using these groups, you can manage different tabs, say work and personal, and put them in neat, little boxes, metaphorically speaking.

So, instead of managing different open tabs in different windows of Safari – which isn’t even an option on the iPhone – you can organize them in different groups. Switching between these tabs is then a matter of clicking a tab group.

Now, with iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura, you can even share these tab groups with other people. You know how sometimes when you’re planning a vacation with friends, remodeling your home, or shopping for furniture with your partner, you’re always sharing links back and forth? Shared Tab Groups save that hassle of always having to send links.

You can simply add the link to the tab group you’re sharing with someone, and they can easily check it out. And if they come across a link that they’d like to share with you? They can do the same – add it to the tab group you shared with them. They can also remove a tab from the group.

The shared tab groups will sync across your Apple devices using the same Apple ID.

Using the latest collaboration controls, you can also chat in messages or start a FaceTime call right in Safari. And if someone adds something to the tab group, you’ll get updates in the Messages app, as well.

You also get live updates and see which tabs the other people are looking at. Let’s dive right in and see how to use it.

How to Share a Tab Group?

You can share a tab group from either your iPhone using iOS 16 or Mac using macOS Ventura. And the people you’re sharing the tab group with also need to be on the latest iOS or macOS version on their Apple devices to be able to join.

Sharing a Tab Group from iPhone

On your iPhone, open Safari. Then, tap the ‘Tabs’ icon from the bottom-right corner of the screen.

The tabs will open in a grid view. Tap the downward arrow next to ‘N Tabs’ from the toolbar.

From the overlay menu that appears, tap the tab group you want to share to open it.

If you don’t know how to create a tab group, you can check out our dedicated article on the same.

When the tab group is in the grid view, tap the ‘Share’ icon in the top-right corner of the screen.

The Share Sheet will open. You’ll see that it has the option ‘Collaborate’ written there. And unlike other apps like Notes, where you can switch to ‘Send a Copy’, that option isn’t available here. Also, Messages is the only app available in the Share Sheet for shared tab groups. Select ‘Messages’ from the Share Sheet to share the invitation to the tab group.

The ‘New Message’ screen will open in an overlay window and the invitation to collaborate on the tab group will load in the message box. Enter the name of the recipient(s) you want to invite in the ‘To:’ field and tap the ‘Send’ button to send the invitation.

To view the collaboration pop-up, tap the ‘Collaboration’ icon in the top-right corner when the tabs are in the grid view.

Sharing a Tab Group from Mac

The process for sharing a tab group is the same for the Mac. The only difference is in how you access the tab group.

Open Safari on your Mac, and click the ‘Sidebar button’ from the left of the address bar if it isn’t already open.

Then, click the tab group you want to share.

Click the ‘Share’ icon at the right of the address bar.

From the pop-up menu, either click the conversation from Siri suggestions if it is available there or click the ‘Messages’ icon to share the tab group.

The Messages app will open and the invitation for the tab group will automatically load in the message box. Enter the names of the contacts in the ‘To:’ field and send the message to begin the collaboration.

You can view the collaboration pop-over from the ‘Collaboration’ icon in the right corner of the address bar.

Using the Shared Tab Groups

Once you’ve sent the invitation using Messages, the collaboration will kick off immediately at your end. When the other person taps the invite, you’ll get a notification telling you that they joined.

Using the shared tab groups is then a walk in the park. All collaboration controls will be available from the collaboration pop-over. You can see the tab(s) other participants are currently viewing as their contact photo will appear on the tab they’re viewing.

All of you can add and remove tabs from the shared tab group as you would normally do from a tab group.

You can also start a chat or FaceTime call in Safari. Open the Collaboration pop-over and click the ‘Message’ icon to chat while viewing the tabs. Messages will open in an overlay window over Safari so it’s easy to get back to Safari after you’re done chatting. To start a FaceTime call, click the ‘Audio’ or ‘Video’ options. You can also share your screen in the FaceTime video call to collaborate more closely on the shared tabs.

To manage access for the shared tab group, like removing someone, or stop sharing it altogether, click the option for ‘Manage Shared Tab Group’ from the collaboration pop-over.

Shared tab groups are a fresh breath of air and something that utilizes the potential of tab groups. You’ll do well to note that you can only share tab groups for collaboration. If you go on to share a simple tab, it’ll send that person the link the old-fashioned way.

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Can I restore a closed tab group in Safari?

I accidentally deleted a tab group which contained important tabs. I don't remember which tabs were there exactly, and I'd like to restore the whole group.

I tried pressing "+" to see recently closed tabs, but I don't see the tabs from my group there.

I don't see them in the history either.

Moreover, I created a new tab group, opened a page in a tab, closed it, pressed "+" in that tab (!) and did not find it in the list of the recently closed tabs. I cannot see in the list of the recently closed tabs in the main / default tab group either. So, it appears that tabs closed in tab groups do not appear in the list of the recently closed tabs.

I would appreciate it if anyone could suggest a way to restore my tab group or at least to improve Safari in the future making it possible to restore closed tab groups or at least individual tabs from closed tab groups.

Posted on Apr 21, 2022 10:45 AM

Posted on Apr 22, 2022 11:05 AM

Hi mysunglasses,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. We understand why you'd want to bring those tab groups back and want to help.

There doesn't seem to be a way to restore those tab groups. You can, however leave feedback for Apple and request a feature here:

Product Feedback

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Apr 22, 2022 11:05 AM in response to mysunglasses

Set up and use iCloud Tabs

iCloud keeps the tabs you have open in Safari up to date on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac. That means you can go from one device to the next and pick up browsing wherever you left off.

Set up iCloud Tabs

Complete these steps on all of the devices where you want to share tabs.

On your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

Go to Settings, then tap your name.

Tap iCloud.

Under Apps Using iCloud, make sure that Safari is on. You might need to tap Show All to see Safari.

On your Mac

Choose Apple menu  > System Settings. In macOS Monterey or earlier, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences.

Click Apple ID, then click iCloud.

Click to turn on Safari.

Open a tab or close a tab from another device

On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Open Safari.

By default the Start Page includes a section showing the tabs that are open on your other devices.

Tap the one you want to open.

To close a tab from another Apple device, touch and hold the link, then choose Close.

From the Bookmarks menu in the menu bar, choose Show Start Page.

Tap the one that you want to open.

To close a tab on another Apple device, Control-click the tab, then choose Close Tab.

Use Tab Groups

To keep your tabs organized and easy to find again later, you can organize them into Tab Groups. After you create a Tab Group, you can share it with others who also use iCloud to collaborate in Safari.

Learn how to organize your tabs into Tab Groups

Learn how to share a Tab Group and collaborate in Safari

If you can’t set up or use iCloud Tabs

iCloud Tabs works between devices running iOS 13 or iPadOS 13 or later and macOS Mojave 10.14.4 or later, or between devices running iOS 12 or earlier and macOS Mojave 10.14.3 or earlier.

If your iCloud Tabs aren't updating, make sure that you're running the latest iOS or iPadOS on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and the latest macOS on your Mac.

Check that you signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID on all of your devices, and that your Apple ID has two-factor authentication turned on.

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