Safari iOS 10: Finding Specific Tabs

Safari Tab Search in iOS 10

Apple’s iOS 10 introduced a significant change to Safari, removing the previous limitation of 36 open tabs. Users can now maintain an unlimited number of tabs simultaneously.

With this increased capacity, efficient tab management becomes crucial. Features like the ability to close all tabs at once, and now, the option to search for tabs by their titles, are essential.

Accessing the Tab Search Function

To utilize the tab search functionality within Safari, your device must be rotated into landscape view. The reason for this restriction is currently unknown.

It is recommended to lock your device’s orientation in landscape mode to prevent accidental switching back to portrait view, which would cause the search to be lost.

Once in landscape view, simply tap the Tabs button to proceed.

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Performing a Tab Search

All of your currently open tabs will be displayed in a grid format. Locate the Search box in the top left corner of the screen and enter your desired keywords.

Keep in mind that the search function only examines the titles of the tabs, not the content within the webpages themselves.

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As you type, Safari will dynamically filter the displayed tabs, showing only those that match your search criteria. Press the "Search" button when you have finished entering your query.

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Navigating Search Results

Browse through the tabs that correspond to your search terms. Tap on the tab you wish to view.

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Remaining in landscape view and focusing on the opened tab allows you to return to the search results by tapping the Tabs button again. However, navigating to a new page or opening a new tab will reset the search, requiring you to re-enter your keywords.

While the requirement of landscape view and the ease of resetting the search may seem unusual, the ability to search through a large number of open tabs in Safari is a valuable addition.