Chrome tab switching gets confusing fast when pages pile up across a computer, phone, tablet, or Chromebook. The fastest fix depends on where you are using Chrome: click the tab, use a shortcut, open Tab Search, or use the mobile tab switcher. Start with the desktop controls, then use the device-specific steps below when you need them.
Click the tab on desktop
This fixes simple tab switching when the tab is already visible at the top of Chrome. Open Chrome on your Windows, Mac, Linux, or ChromeOS computer. Then look at the tab strip at the top of the Chrome window. Select the tab you want to open.
Use keyboard shortcuts for faster switching
Press Ctrl + Tab or Ctrl + PgDn on Windows, Linux, or ChromeOS to move to the next tab. Press Ctrl + Shift + Tab or Ctrl + PgUp on Windows, Linux, or ChromeOS to move to the previous tab. On Mac, press Command + Option + Right arrow to move to the next tab. Press Command + Option + Left arrow on Mac to move to the previous tab.
Press Ctrl + 1 through Ctrl + 8 on Windows, Linux, or ChromeOS to jump to tabs one through eight. Press Ctrl + 9 on Windows, Linux, or ChromeOS to jump to the rightmost tab. Press Command + 1 through Command + 8 on Mac to jump to tabs one through eight.
Press Command + 9 on Mac to jump to the last tab. Use numbered shortcuts when you already know the tab's position in the window.
Find a tab when too many are open
Use Tab Search when you have several pages open and cannot spot the one you need in the tab strip. Chrome keeps Tab Search on by default and pins it in the tab strip on desktop.
Select Tab Search from the tab strip. Enter keywords for the site you want to find. Then select the tab from the list of open tabs.
Press Ctrl + Shift + A on Windows or Linux to open Tab Search from the keyboard. Press Command + Shift + A on Mac to open Tab Search from the keyboard.
Type @tabs in the address bar for another tab search option. Press Tab or Space. Enter keywords for the tab you want. Select the tab from the results.
Move keyboard focus back to tabs
The most common cause is that keyboard focus is on the page or address bar instead of Chrome's tab controls. Press F6 on Windows until the tabs are in focus. Press Tab or Shift + Tab to move focus to the tab you want. Press Enter to switch to that tab.
Press Ctrl + Tab on Chromebook to move to tab selection. Press Ctrl + Back or Ctrl + Forward on Chromebook to switch focus to a specific tab.
Turn on VoiceOver on Mac. Press Tab to move to tab selection. Then press Tab or Shift + Tab to move through the tabs.
Switch tabs on Android
Open Chrome on your Android phone or tablet. Tap Switch tabs next to the address bar. Swipe to the tab you want. Tap the tab to open it.
Tap Switch tabs again when you want to search instead of swipe. Enter the tab or tab group name in Search your tabs. Tap the tab or tab group you want to open.
On an Android tablet, tap Switch tabs. Tap Search in the upper right. Enter the tab name in Search your tabs.
Tap Enter. Then tap the tab you want to open. Sync must be on to find tab groups in Android search results; Incognito search only finds currently open Incognito tabs.
Switch tabs on iPhone and iPad
This fixes tab switching in Chrome on Apple's mobile devices. Open Chrome on iPhone. Tap Switch tabs at the bottom. Tap the tab you want to switch to.
Open Chrome on iPad. Tap the tab you want to switch to. Swipe left or right at the top of Chrome on iPad to move between tabs. Select Tab Switcher on iPad to see all tabs.
Choose the tab you want. Tap Switch tabs on iPhone or iPad when you want to search. Tap Search at the top left. Enter related keywords for the tab you want.
Use iPhone and iPad keyboard shortcuts
Chrome supports tab shortcuts on iPhone and iPad when a hardware keyboard is connected. Press Option + Command + Right arrow, Control + Tab, or Command + } to go to the next tab.
Press Option + Command + Left arrow, Shift + Control + Tab, or Command + { to go to the previous tab. Press Command + 1 through Command + 8 to jump to a numbered tab. Press Command + 9 to go to the last tab.
Press Shift + Command + \ to open the Tab Grid. If the shortcut does not move tabs, use Switch tabs or Tab Switcher on the screen.
Search and swipe on Chromebook
Swipe left or right with three fingers on the Chromebook touchpad when multiple browser tabs are open. Press Search on the keyboard or open the Launcher. Start typing the name of your tab in the search bar.
Select the open tab when it appears in the results. Use Launcher search when you remember the page name but not where the tab is.
Organize tabs when switching gets messy
The most common cause of slow tab switching is having related pages spread across too many tabs or separate Chrome windows. Right-click blank space on the tab strip and select Show Tabs Vertically. Right-click a tab and select Show Tabs Vertically when that menu is easier to reach.
Open Settings. Select Appearance. Choose Vertical under Tab position.
Select a tab from the vertical tab strip list. Right-click the empty space next to New Tab when tabs are split into separate Chrome windows. Select Name window.
Enter a window name. Use your computer's window switcher, such as Alt + Tab on Windows, to move between named Chrome windows. On a work or school computer, open More, then Settings, or visit chrome://management to check whether Chrome is managed before relying on extension-based tab switchers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to switch tabs in Chrome?
On desktop, use Ctrl + Tab on Windows, Linux, or ChromeOS, or Command + Option + Right arrow on Mac. On phones, use the Switch tabs button.
How do I switch to the last tab in Chrome?
Press Ctrl + 9 on Windows, Linux, or ChromeOS. On Mac, press Command + 9. On iPhone or iPad with a hardware keyboard, Command + 9 opens the last tab.
How do I search open Chrome tabs?
On desktop, use Tab Search, Ctrl + Shift + A on Windows or Linux, Command + Shift + A on Mac, or @tabs in the address bar. On mobile, use Search inside Switch tabs.
Can Chrome switch tabs with a Chromebook touchpad?
Yes. On a Chromebook with multiple browser tabs open, swipe left or right with three fingers on the touchpad.