iOS 13 Can Auto-Close Safari Tabs for You Based on When You Last Viewed Them - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

iOS 13 Can Auto-Close Safari Tabs for You Based on When You Last Viewed Them

by

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.

D8ovBA8UEAAPwiX


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

93 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
93 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)
93 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
93 months ago
Woo hoo I'm popular! :P thanks Macrumors.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xraydoc Avatar
93 months ago
A necessary feature for my wife. It’s insane how many tabs she has open... and isn’t aware of them at all.
[doublepost=1560197849][/doublepost]
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?
We must be married to the same woman.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
93 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.
[doublepost=1560184983][/doublepost]

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)

Popular Stories

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Feature

'Apple Upgrade' Program Reportedly Launching Next Week

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30 am PDT by
Apple and Klarna are partnering on a new "Apple Upgrade" leasing program set to launch in the U.S. on Tuesday, July 28, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The program will allow you to finance most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models, with a 24-month term for iPhones and Apple Watches and a 36-month term for iPads and Macs. Customers will be able to pay off the device early during...
iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 12 New Features

Friday July 17, 2026 10:39 am PDT by
It is now mid-July, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now just two months away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, ...
iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 12 New Features

Tuesday July 21, 2026 6:22 am PDT by
It is now mid-July, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now just two months away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, ...