Chrome on Android opens tabs in a new window: reasons and solution

Many smartphone users are faced with an annoying situation when the browser Google Chrome on Android begins to behave unpredictably. Instead of opening links in the current tab, the app creates new windows or duplicates tabs, which quickly clutters the interface and makes navigation difficult. This problem can arise either due to accidental changes in settings, or due to software glitches or operating features of third-party sites.

Understanding how tabs work in the mobile version of the browser is the key to the solution. Unlike on the desktop, where window management is more obvious, on a touchscreen the line between a new tab and a new window is often blurred for the user. Sometimes the system mistakenly interprets site gestures or commands as a requirement to isolate content in a separate space.

In this article we will analyze in detail all the possible reasons for this behavior and offer step-by-step guide for restoring normal operation. You'll learn how to check settings, clear temporary files, and use special flags to force changes to link opening logic. It is important to act consistently so as not to delete important data, such as saved passwords or browsing history.

Checking basic browser settings and synchronization

The first step in diagnosing the problem is to carefully examine the internal parameters of the application itself. Often, users accidentally enable features designed for specific use cases, such as working with multiple profiles or incognito modes. Go to the menu by clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.

Pay special attention to the section Synchronization and your accounts. If you're logged into multiple Google profiles at the same time, the browser may try to separate data streams by opening links from one account in an isolated window of another. This is standard privacy-protecting behavior, but may be considered a bug.

Also check to see if split-screen mode is enabled at the Android system level. Some shell manufacturers, such as OneUI from Samsung or MIUI from Xiaomi, have their own multitasking settings that may conflict with Chrome logic. Make sure the browser is not forced into split-screen mode.

• 🔍 Check active profiles in the account management menu.
• ⚙️ Disable experimental features in the "About the browser" section.
• 📱 Make sure the system is not using split-screen mode for Chrome.

Clearing cache and data applications

The accumulation of temporary files is one of the most common reasons for the incorrect behavior of mobile applications. The browser cache stores copies of pages, images, and scripts to speed up loading times, but over time this data can become corrupted or out of date. This causes it to Chrome incorrectly process commands to open links.

To resolve the problem, you need to perform a cleanup. Go to the settings of your smartphone, find the section Applications, select from the list Chrome and go to the "Storage" item. Here you will see two buttons: “Clear cache” and “Reset data”. Start with the first option as it is safe and does not delete your bookmarks.

⚠️ Warning: Using the "Reset data" or "Clear all data" function will return the browser to its factory state. You'll lose your browsing history, saved passwords (unless they're synced with your Google Account), and settings. Do this only if clearing the cache did not help.

After clearing the cache, restart the device. This action ends the cycle of writing temporary files and allows the system to create a new, clean directory structure for the browser. Often, after such a procedure, the problem with opening new windows disappears by itself, since conflicting scripts are deleted.

Analysis of installed extensions and third-party apps

Although mobile version Chrome does not officially support extensions in the form in which they exist on a PC; many users install third-party browsers or launchers that embed their code. In addition, some applications, such as download managers or antivirus apps, can intercept links and redirect them to new windows.

Check the list of recently installed apps. If the problem started immediately after installing some software, try removing it. Pay special attention to applications that request permission to display on top of other applications. They can create invisible layers that the browser interprets as a request to open a new window.

It is also worth checking whether you are using alternative clients for social networks or instant messengers. The built-in browsers in such applications (WebView) sometimes conflict with the main Chrome, trying to open a link in its context, which visually looks like creating a new tab in the main browser.

Application type	Possible impact	Recommended action
Antiviruses	Scanning links in real time	Temporarily disable protection
Download managers	Intercepting data streams	Change default application
Ad blockers	Conflict of opening scripts	Update or reinstall
Launchers	Changing navigation gestures	Return to standard launcher

Using hidden Chrome Flags

For advanced users, there is a powerful configuration tool - the Experimental Features page. Here you can force change the behavior of the browser by enabling or disabling specific flags. This is especially useful when standard settings do not produce results.

In the address bar, enter the command chrome://flags. In the search list that appears, enter "Tab" or "Window". We are interested in a setting related to grouping tabs or forcing links to open. For example, the Enable Tab Groups flag sometimes causes errors on older devices, causing the browser to open each link as a new group.

chrome://flags/#enable-tab-groups

Try setting the value Disabled for grouping-related functions and restart the browser via the Relaunch button at the bottom of the screen. It is also worth looking for flags containing the word "Overlay" or "Multi-window" and disabling them to prevent the browser from creating floating windows.

List of dangerous flags

Do not disable flags related to safety (Safe Browsing) or rendering (GPU Rasterization) if you are not sure of your actions. This can lead to complete browser inoperability or device vulnerability.

Resetting file and link association settings

In the operating system Android there is a mechanism that determines which application should open certain types of links (http, https). If these settings are lost, the system may send the open command in the wrong format, which provokes Chrome to create a new window instead of following the link in the current one.

To fix this, go to the phone settings, section Applications, select Chrome and find the item "Open by default" or "Default settings". Click the button Remove default settings. After that, the next time you click on a link in another application, the system will ask you how to open it - select Chrome and check the box "Always".

This method is especially effective if the problem only appears when switching from instant messengers or social networks. Resetting associations forces the system to re-write the correct routes for transmitting URLs to the browser, eliminating intermediate interpretation errors.

⚠️ Attention: After resetting to default, you will have to re-select your browser to open links from other applications. Make sure you choose Chrome and not the built-in link viewer to avoid confusion in the future.

Updating and reinstalling browser

Sometimes the problem lies in bugs in a specific software version. Developers Google regularly release updates that correct errors in working with windows and tabs. Make sure you have the latest version from the store Google Play.

If the update did not help or the problem appeared immediately after it, a complete reinstallation may be required. Remove the application from your device and install it again. Important: before deleting, make sure that your history and passwords are synchronized with your Google account, otherwise you risk losing important data.

When reinstalling, it is also recommended to clear system component updates Android System WebView. This component is responsible for displaying web content within applications and is closely related to how Chrome works. Its incorrect operation is often the hidden cause of strange browser behavior.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why does Chrome open links in mode incognito?

This may be caused by the settings of the specific application from which you are following the link. Some instant messengers have the option "Open links in incognito". Also check extensions or flags in the browser itself that may force this mode to be enabled.

Is it possible to prevent sites from opening pop-up windows?

Yes, in Chrome settings, go to Site settings -> Pop-ups and redirects and make sure the switch is in the "Blocked" position. This will prevent advertising scripts from automatically creating new tabs.

Resetting settings deletes my bookmarks?

If you perform the "Reset data" action in the application settings, then yes, local bookmarks will be deleted. However, if you have synchronization enabled with your Google account, they will be restored immediately after logging in.

Why did the problem appear after updating Android?

Major operating system updates sometimes change how multitasking works. In this case, you need to update the Chrome browser itself to a version adapted for the new OS, or reset the file association settings.

How to return a tab if it accidentally opened in a new window?

Click on the switch tabs button (square with a number). You will see all open groups and windows. Find the tab you want, hold it with your finger and select "Move to another group" or simply drag it to the main stack to combine windows.