Working with multiple tabs on a smartphone Android has become an integral part of everyday use of gadgets. whether you compare prices in online stores, switch between social networks and work tasks, or simply save interesting articles for reading later - the ability to effectively manage tabs saves time and nerves. However, not all users know that Android there are at least 5 different ways to open and manage several tabs at the same time.

In this article we will analyze not only the standard methods of working with tabs in popular browsers (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Samsung Internet), but also hidden functions of the operating system that allow you to open several application screens in parallel. You will learn how to enable multitasking mode for any apps, how to synchronize tabs between devices, and what applications will help automate work with a large number of open pages.

We will pay special attention to the problems that users face: why tabs are closed, how to recover lost sessions, and what to do if the browser starts to freeze when opening 10+ tabs. All instructions are relevant for Android 12-15 and adapted for different manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus etc.).

1. Standard method: opening tabs in the browser

The most obvious method is to use the built-in multitasking feature in the browser. Most popular browsers support tabs out of the box. Let's look at the process using an example Android support working with tabs out of the box. Let's look at the process using an example Google Chrome, since it is preinstalled on most devices:

  • 📱 Open Google Chrome and go to any web page.
  • 🔍 In the upper right corner of the screen, click on the icon "Three dots" (⋮) is the browser menu.
  • 🖥️ In the drop-down list, select the item "New Tab" (New tab).
  • 🔄 To switch between open tabs, click on again icon "⋮" → "Switch tabs" (Switch tabs).

In Chrome there is also a gesture for quickly opening a new tab: pull down from the address bar (where the URL is displayed). This method also works in other browsers, for example, Microsoft Edge or Opera. Please note that in some firmware (for example, on devices Xiaomi with a shell MIUI) this gesture may conflict with system swipes - in this case, it can be disabled in the browser settings.

Number of simultaneously open tabs c Chrome theoretically unlimited, but in practice when exceeding 50+ tabs the browser begins to automatically close the oldest (inactive) pages to save RAM. This behavior can be changed in the experimental settings at chrome://flags/#enable-tab-discarding, but we do not recommend doing this unless absolutely necessary - this may increase battery consumption.

📊 What browser do you use on Android?
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
Samsung Internet
Opera
Other

2. Gestures and hotkeys for managing tabs

Many users do not suspect that on Android you can manage tabs using gestures and keyboard shortcuts (if a physical keyboard is connected). These methods significantly speed up the work of:

  • 👆 Closing a tab by swiping: In Chrome i Firefox you can close the current tab by swiping your finger from left to right in the address bar (or right to the left depending on the version).
  • 🔄 Quick switch: Double-tap the browser icon in the multitasking panel ("Recent applications") - this will open the last closed tab.
  • ⌨️ Hot keys (for keyboard): Ctrl + T — new tab, Ctrl + W — close tab, Ctrl + Tab — switch between tabs.
  • 📱 Back gesture: You can configure a swipe on the bottom panel of the screen to switch between tabs inside the browser (enabled in Android 12+ you can set up a swipe on the bottom panel of the screen to switch between tabs inside the browser (included in Settings → System → Gestures).

On devices Samsung with a shell One UI there is an additional gesture: holding the "Back" button in the browser displays thumbnails of all open tabs. This function works even in third-party browsers if they support API Android for integration with system ones. gestures.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices with non-standard shells (for example, ColorOS on Oppo/Realme), system gestures may conflict with browser gestures. In this case, check the settings in Settings → Accessibility → Gestures and movements.
Browser Gesture for a new tab Gesture for closing a tab Max. number of tabs
Google Chrome Swipe down from the address bar Swipe left/right in the address bar 100+ (auto-close after 50)
Mozilla Firefox Click “+” in the panel tabs Swipe tabs to the left in the overview 250 (without auto-close)
Samsung Internet Double tap on the tab bar Hold the cross on the tab 99
Opera Button “+” in the bottom panel Swipe tabs up Unlimited

3. Multitasking mode: two tabs on one screen

If you need to work with two web pages at the same time (for example, compare texts or transfer data), you can use split screen. This function is available on all devices with Android 7.0+ and works not only with browsers, but also with any other applications.

Activation instructions:

  1. Open the first tab in the browser.
  2. Click on the square button ("Recent applications") and hold the browser icon.
  3. In the menu that appears, select "Open in split mode" (Open in split screen).
  4. Return to the list of applications and select the second browser (or the same one, but with a different tab).

Now two tabs will appear on the screen at the same time. The size of the windows can be adjusted by dragging the dividing line. Please note that in split mode, some browser functions may not work correctly (for example, playing video with audio in only one window).

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If split screen does not turn on, check the settings in Settings → Accessibility → Screen size —some manufacturers disable this feature by default.

On devices Samsung with One UI 5.0+ yes advanced multitasking mode «Pop-up View», which allows you to open tabs in floating windows. To do this:

  1. Open the browser and go to the desired page.
  2. Click on the application icon in the navigation bar (three horizontal lines).
  3. Select "Open in a pop-up window".

Now you can move the browser window around the screen and resize it. This is convenient for quickly copying information between applications.

4. Synchronizing tabs between devices

If you work with several gadgets (for example, a smartphone and a tablet), it is useful to configure synchronization. tabsthis will allow you to open on Android the same pages as on PC or another phone. Let's look at the process using an example Google Chrome:

  • 🔗 Make sure you are logged in to the browser under one account Google on all devices.
  • 📱 On your smartphone, open Chrome, click on the profile icon (in the upper right corner) and turn on "Synchronization".
  • 💻 On your computer, open chrome://flags/#enable-tab-groups and activate the flag «Tab Groups» (if it is disabled).
  • 🔄 Now when When you open a new tab on your smartphone, a block will appear at the bottom “Tabs from other devices”.

In Mozilla Firefox synchronization works via Firefox Account. After authorization, tabs from other devices will appear in the menu ⋮ → Your tabs. Feature Firefox is the ability to send tabs directly from PC to Android via the context menu (right click on the tab → "Send to device").

For users Samsung Internet synchronization is available via Samsung Cloud, but only if this browser is installed on all devices. To enable the function, go to Settings → Samsung Cloud → Sync Tabs.

⚠️ Attention: When synchronizing tabs via Google or Firefox the browsing history is also saved on company servers. If privacy is important to you, use private mode (Incognito) for. sensitive pages - they will not synchronize.

5. Applications for advanced work with tabs

If the built-in capabilities of the browser are not enough, you can install specialized applications. They offer additional features such as tab grouping, session saving or automatically opening sets of pages.

Top 3 tab management apps:

  • 🌐 OneTab (for Chrome): Saves all open tabs in one list and allows you to restore them later. Saves up to 95% of RAM.
  • 📁 Toby for Chrome: Allows you to create folders with tabs (for example, “Work”, “Hobbies”, “Shopping”) and open them with one touch.
  • 🔄 Session Buddy: Automatically saves sessions and restores tabs after a device reboot or crash browser.

For users who often work with a large number of tabs (20+), we recommend Firefox Focus a lightweight version of the browser that automatically blocks trackers and saves resources. It does not have traditional tabs, but it does have a function "Open in Firefox"that transfers the page to the main browser, saving all data.

If you need automatically open a set of tabs when starting the browser (for example, mail, calendar and news feed), use extension «Tab Auto Refresh» for Chrome. It allows you to configure a list of URLs that will open when the browser starts, as well as update them on a schedule.

Install OneTab from Google Play|Create the first group of tabs in Toby|Enable autosaving of sessions in Session Buddy|Check application permissions-->

6. Solving problems with tabs

When actively working with several tabs, users often encounter typical problems: the browser slows down, tabs closes spontaneously, or the device starts overheats. Let's look at ways to solve these problems.

Problem 1: Tabs close on their own

This happens due to functions "Memory saving" in Android. To disable it:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Chrome (or other browser).
  2. Click on "Memory" and disable the option "Automatically close unused tabs".
  3. In the browser itself, disable experimental functions at chrome://flags/#enable-tab-discarding.

Problem 2: The browser slows down at 10+ tabs

The reason for this is the lack of RAM. Solutions:

  • 🧹 Close unused tabs manually ( Firefox has a function "Delete inactive").
  • 🔄 Use applications like OneTab for consolidation tabs.
  • 📱 Reboot the device once every 2-3 days - this clears the system cache.

Problem 3: Sessions are not saved after a reboot

If the browser does not restore tabs after turning off the phone:

  • V Chrome: enable chrome://flags/#enable-tab-restore.
  • V Firefox: check the synchronization settings in Settings → Firefox Account.
  • Install Session Buddy for automatic backup.
Why do browsers limit the number of tabs?

Manufacturers set limits not because of technical limitations, but to prevent excessive consumption of RAM and battery. Each tab consumes resources, even in the background. For example, one tab with a YouTube video in the background can consume up to 15% of the charge. per hour.

7. Hidden Android functions for working with multiple windows

In addition to the standard methods, Android there are hidden functions that allow you to open several application screens at the same time. These features are not available on all devices, but they are worth a try if you need maximum multitasking.

Feature 1: Freeform Mode

This mode allows you to open applications in floating windows of any size, like on Windows. To enable it:

  1. Activate "Developer Mode" (click 7 times). to Settings → About phone → Build number).
  2. Return to Settings → System → For developers.
  3. Find the option "Free window shape" (Force activities to be resizable) and enable it.
  4. Now, when opening an application in split mode, its window can be scaled freely.

Feature 2: Parallel spaces (Dual Apps)

On devices Samsung, Xiaomi And Huawei it is possible to create clones of applications. data-i="266">📱 On. This is useful if you need to open two accounts of the same browser at the same time. For example:

  • 📱 On Xiaomi: Settings → Applications → Dual applications.
  • 🤖 On Samsung: Settings → Additional features → Dual Messenger.

After creation clone, you can open two windows Chrome with different accounts Google and different sets of tabs.

Function 3: Gestures for multitasking

In Android 12+ new gestures for control have appeared windows:

  • 👆 Swipe up and hold - opens the multitasking panel with the ability to drag windows.
  • 🔄 Double tap on the application icon in the taskbar - switches it to split mode.
⚠️ Attention: Some hidden functions (for example, Freeform Mode) may work unstable on devices with a small amount of RAM (less than 4 GB). Save important data before use.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about working with tabs on Android

Is it possible to open more than 100 tabs in Chrome?

Technically yes, but Chrome starts automatically closing inactive tabs after exceeding the limit (usually 50-100). To increase the limit, disable the experimental feature chrome://flags/#enable-tab-discardingbut this may lead to increased battery consumption. Above the limit. - up to 250 tabs without auto-closing. Firefox the limit is higher - up to 250 tabs without auto-closing.

How to restore a closed tab if the history is cleared?

If the browser history is cleared, try:

  1. Open chrome://history/syncedTabs —tabs from other devices may be saved there.
  2. Use the application Session Buddyif it was installed before cleaning.
  3. Check the browser cache through the file manager (folder /data/data/com.android.chrome/app_chrome/Default/Top Sites), but this requires root access.
Why are tabs not synchronized between the phone and tablet?

Problems with synchronization are usually associated with:

  • Lack of Internet on one of the devices.
  • Different accounts Google/Firefox.
  • Disabled synchronization in the browser settings.
  • An outdated version of the browser (update via Google Play).

Check the synchronization settings on both devices and reboot them.

How to open two Chrome tabs in a split screen if the browser does not support it?

Use a workaround:

  1. Install a second browser (for example, Firefox).
  2. Open the first tab in Chrome, the second in Firefox.
  3. Activate split screen through the multitasking panel.

Or use Developer mode and enable "Free form windows"as described above.

Is it possible to save all open tabs in PDF or HTML?

Yes, for this:

  • B Chrome: use the extension «Save All Tabs» from Chrome Web Store (requires a computer for installation).
  • To Firefox: click ⋮ → Advanced → Save page for each tab.
  • Universal method: take screenshots of each tab via Power button + Volume Down and combine them into PDF using Google Drive.