3 ways to restore tabs on Google Chrome and recover old webpages

It's easy to accidentally close a tab in Google Chrome and lose a web page you were browsing. But you can restore the tab you just closed or re-open websites you viewed a few days ago in several different ways on Chrome. Here's how.

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  • You can easily restore a Google Chrome tab you closed with a simple keyboard shortcut.
  • You can also restore tabs you closed days ago by browsing your Chrome history.
  • Restoring Chrome tabs can be useful if closed accidentally, or you need to find a page again. 

It's easy to accidentally close a tab in Google Chrome and lose a web page you were browsing.

But you can restore the tab you just closed or re-open websites you viewed a few days ago in several different ways on Chrome. Here's how.

How to restore a Chrome tab right after closing

Chrome keeps the most recently closed tab just one click away. Right-click a blank space on the tab bar at the top of the window and choose Reopen closed tab.

You can also use a keyboard shortcut to accomplish this: CTRL + Shift + T on a PC or Command + Shift + T on a Mac.

The keyboard shortcut is the fastest way to restore a tab you recently closed. Dave Johnson/Insider

How to restore recently closed Chrome tabs from a toolbar

If you want to open a tab that you closed recently, you may be able to find it listed in the menu. In fact, if you sync your Chrome browser across devices, you can see recently closed tabs on every computer and mobile device associated with your account.

1. Click the three vertical dots in the top right of the window.

Quick tip: You can also bring up the menu by pressing Alt + F or Alt + E.

2. In the menu, select History.

3. You should see a list of all the most recently used tabs divided by device. Click on the tab you want to re-open.

The Chrome menu lists the most recently closed tabs on all of your linked devices. Dave Johnson/Insider

How to restore a Chrome tab from browser history

If you need to go a little further back, you can check your browser's history.

1. Click the three vertical dots in the top right of the window.

2. In the menu, select History and then click History in the sub-menu.

Quick tip: You can quickly open the History page on Chrome by pressing CTRL + H on PC or Command + H on Mac.

3. Browse your complete browsing history and open any page with a click.

You can restore closed tabs from your browsing history. Dave Johnson/Insider
Dave Johnson Freelance Writer Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider. Read more Read less

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