Huge Google Chrome upgrade will put an end to tab insanity

Google Chrome
(Image credit: Jeramey Lende / Shutterstock)

We've all been there: You have dozens of Google Chrome tabs open at once, and you completely lost track of the one you really need right now. Fortunately, Google has a new solution to our collective tab hoarding problem. 

As spotted by Laptop Mag, Google's new Tab Groups feature is rolling out in the Chrome 81 build of the popular web browser. This feature lets you group up tabs as if they were files in a folder, allowing you to have discrete labels for each. 

Whether you want to have a work group that bunches together essential websites for your job, or an entertainment group that contains all of your favorite YouTube videos, Twitch streams and gaming websites, Tab Groups is a great tool for folks whose array of tabs often become a cluttered mess.

Tab Groups is one of the more significant upgrades to Google Chrome in years. And with the new version of Microsoft Edge gaining ground on Google's browser, it could go a long way in keeping people from jumping ship. 

Better yet, Tab Groups can be created with a few quick clicks, and all you need is the latest version of Chrome to get started. Here's how to use Tab Groups and finally organize those messy tabs once and for all.

How to use Google Chrome Tab Groups

1. Make sure you have the latest version of Chrome by selecting the three-dot menu at the top right of your screen and choosing Settings.

2. Check the 'About Chrome' menu to see if you need to update. Click Relaunch to complete the update. If you're up to date but still don't have Tab Groups, you can enter Chrome's experimental menu by typing chrome://flags in your browser and turning on Tab Groups manually.

3. Right-click on a tab and select "Add to new group"

4. Click on the circular group marker to give your group a name and color label.

From here, you can add tabs to new and existing groups, as well as close a group all at once or ungroup all of its tabs. Note that if you pin a tab, that will remove it from a group. Happy organizing! 

Michael Andronico

Mike Andronico is Senior Writer at CNNUnderscored. He was formerly Managing Editor at Tom's Guide, where he wrote extensively on gaming, as well as running the show on the news front. When not at work, you can usually catch him playing Street Fighter, devouring Twitch streams and trying to convince people that Hawkeye is the best Avenger.

Latest in Browsers
iPhone 16 Pro Max shown in hand
Your iPhone has a custom voice command feature — here's how to use it
iPhone 16 Pro Max shown in hand
You can change your iPhone's default browser — here's how
Google Chrome on Android
How to stop your personal data from appearing in Google searches
Opera Air
I just tested the world’s first mindful browser — it’s calmly convinced me to ditch Google Chrome
A photo of the Google Chrome logo on a white background, displayed on the screen of a large MacBook Pro which is situated on a table with green foliage behind.
Google Chrome just got three new modes — and it's a game changer for performance
Google Calendar app on iPhone
Google Calendar just got the dark mode we’ve been waiting for — here’s how to activate it
Latest in News
A magnifying glass on top of the Steam logo in a web browser
Valve just pulled a malicious game demo spreading info-stealing malware from Steam
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari looks on during Sprint Qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China, on March 21, 2025. (Photo by Song Haiyuan/Paddocker/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
How to watch F1 Chinese GP 1 2025 online without cable – Sprint race, Qualifying
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Saturday, March 22 (#650)
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 — 7 biggest questions that need answers at Nintendo Direct April 2
iPhone 17 Air render
iPhone 17 Air — new survey could be bad news for Apple's super thin iPhone
Segway g30lp
Segway recalls 220,000 electric scooters - what to do if yours is on the list
  • negruj
    Sadly this was the workaround a few months ago. But at this time it does not work anymore.
    Reply
  • Wolfshadw
    Well, the article is a year old. Perhaps an update is underway? (hint, hint to the author).

    -Wolf sends
    Reply