How to Configure iOS to Auto-Close Safari Browser Tabs - MacRumors
Skip to Content

How to Configure iOS to Auto-Close Safari Browser Tabs

by

ios7 safari iconIn iOS 13, Apple has added new functionality to its Safari mobile browser that makes it easier for you to manage how many tabs you have open at the same time.

The number of active browser tabs in Safari can quickly get out of hand on iPhone because of the way the browser displays tabs in a vertical array when viewed in the popular portrait orientation. Hyperlinks that open websites in a new tab only exacerbate the situation.

how to close ios safari tabs based on when you last viewed them
Using the Close All Tabs option (long pressing Done reveals it) is one solution for restoring order to your browser session, but it's no good if you have a handful of newer tabs that are still useful to have open.

Fortunately, iOS 13 can close Safari's browser tabs on your behalf, based on when you last viewed them. Launch the Settings app and select Safari -> Close Tabs, and you'll find options to make the browser automatically close tabs that have not been viewed After One Day, After One Week, or After One Month.

how to close ios safari tabs based on when you last viewed them 1
Safari also iOS 13 includes a new feature that lets you bookmark multiple tabs in a just couple of taps and save them all in a new or existing bookmark folder. Click here to learn how it works.

Tag: Safari
Related Forum: iOS 13

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Just Released a New Accessory

Monday May 4, 2026 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today released a new Pride Edition Sport Loop for the Apple Watch. The band features a rainbow design with 11 colors of woven nylon yarns. The new Pride Edition Sport Loop is available to order now on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, and it will be available at Apple Store locations starting later this week. In the U.S., the band costs $49. There...
Instagram Feature 2

PSA: Instagram Encrypted Messaging Ends on Friday, May 8

Tuesday May 5, 2026 8:24 am PDT by
Instagram will remove end-to-end encryption for direct messages between users from May 8, 2026. When the date comes around, Meta will potentially be able to see the contents of all messages between users on the social media platform. Encrypting messages has been an optional feature in Instagram since 2023, but in March of this year the social media platform quietly updated a help page to say ...
iOS 26

Apple Says iOS 26.5 Adds Three New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday May 5, 2026 7:36 am PDT by
iOS 26.5 includes three new features for iPhones, according to Apple's release notes for the update, which is expected to be released next week. As discovered during beta testing, iOS 26.5 enables end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging between iOS and Android devices. Apple says this security upgrade is limited to supported carriers around the world and will continue to roll out....