In iOS 13, Apple has added new functionality in Safari that should enable iPhone and iPad users to better manage their open tabs.

Because of the way Safari for iOS displays tabs in a vertical array, the amount of open tabs in the browser can often get out of hand, and sometimes number in the tens or even hundreds.

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However in iOS 13, Safari will offer to automatically close tabs that have not been viewed recently after one day, one week, or one month. The new Safari function can be changed later in the Settings app.


Apple unveiled iOS 13 last week at WWDC. The newest version of the operating system for ‌iPhone‌ (and the ‌iPad‌, though the ‌iPad‌ version has been renamed to iPadOS) introduces a long list of new features and some changes that are quite exciting. Be sure to check out the video above for more.

(Thanks, Chris!)

Related Forum: iOS 13

Top Rated Comments

madsci954 Avatar
56 months ago
I’m I the only one who opens at most 2, rarely 3, tabs in a browser, then closes them when I’m done?
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I7guy Avatar
56 months ago
I went to use my wife’s xr and she had 300+ tabs open. I looked at her like ??? She said, what’s wrong with that?

So when iOS 13 comes around I’m setting this option on her phone.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dz5b609 Avatar
56 months ago
I’m I the only one who opens at most 2, rarely 3, tabs in a browser, then closes them when I’m done?
I think a lot of people (including myself) are using tabs as reminders for stuff.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Spartan Weaver Avatar
56 months ago
Woo hoo I'm popular! :P thanks Macrumors.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Grey Area Avatar
56 months ago
I went to use my wife’s xr and she had 300+ tabs open. I looked at her like ??? She said, what’s wrong with that?
I just counted (and closed) the tabs on my SE: there were 506 of them. :) And yes, what is the problem with that? I do not think they are doing much in the background, they sure aren’t updating themselves.

To be honest, I have never really thought of them as tabs, given that they neither look nor behave like desktop browser tabs. Rather, to me they were something like a browser history.

I’m not even sure why there would be so many open ones otherwise, it is not like I create them by explicitly opening links in a new tab.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
56 months ago
I’m I the only one who opens at most 2, rarely 3, tabs in a browser, then closes them when I’m done?
Every few weeks I have to hold it down and click on the "Close 500 tabs" button. That is the limit. I am a tab whore.
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How could one find a previously open tab within 300? Safari became a digital garbage can. lol.
If you tap to go to the top of your tabs, and then pull down, there is a search bar.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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