Accidentally closed a tab you needed? It happens to everyone. Chrome has built-in shortcuts to reopen recently closed tabs and windows on every platform — here’s how to do it in seconds.
Short Answer: To reopen a closed tab in Chrome on desktop, press Ctrl+Shift+T (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+T (Mac). On Android, tap the three-dot menu → Recent tabs. On iPhone, long-press the new tab button (+) to see recently closed tabs.
Reopen Closed Tabs on Chrome Desktop (Windows & Mac)
Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest Method)
- Windows/Linux:
Ctrl + Shift + T - Mac:
Cmd + Shift + T
Press it once to reopen the last closed tab. Press it multiple times to reopen tabs in reverse order of closing. This works even after reopening Chrome — it remembers recently closed tabs from your last session.
Right-Click on the Tab Bar
- Right-click anywhere on the empty tab bar area (next to your open tabs)
- Select Reopen closed tab
📸 SCREENSHOT NEEDED: Chrome tab bar right-click context menu showing ‘Reopen closed tab’ option
History Menu
For tabs closed longer ago (beyond the Ctrl+Shift+T memory):
- Click the three-dot menu → History → History (or press Ctrl+H)
- Your full browsing history is listed — find the tab you closed and click it
Reopen an Accidentally Closed Window
The same Ctrl + Shift + T shortcut also reopens a closed window with all its tabs. Press it once after closing a window to restore the entire session.
Reopen Closed Tabs on Chrome Android
- Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top right
- Tap Recent tabs
- Your recently closed tabs appear — tap any to reopen
📸 SCREENSHOT NEEDED: Chrome Android three-dot menu open with ‘Recent tabs’ option visible
Alternatively, long-press the back button (←) to see the page history for the current tab. This doesn’t restore closed tabs but lets you go back further in the current tab’s history.
Reopen Closed Tabs on Chrome iPhone/iPad
- Tap the tab switcher icon (the square with a number in the bottom toolbar)
- Long-press the + (new tab) button
- A list of recently closed tabs appears — tap any to reopen
📸 SCREENSHOT NEEDED: Chrome on iPhone with tab switcher open and recently closed tabs list showing after long-pressing the + button
Quick reference:
Desktop → Ctrl+Shift+T (Cmd+Shift+T Mac) | Android → ⋮ menu → Recent tabs | iPhone → Tab switcher → long-press +
Bonus: Restore Chrome Session After a Crash
If Chrome crashed and all your tabs closed, reopen Chrome and you should see a “Restore” button or notification to restore your previous session. If it doesn’t appear automatically:
- Open a new tab in Chrome
- Go to chrome://settings/ → On startup
- Select Continue where you left off
- This also ensures future restarts restore all your tabs automatically
FAQ
How many recently closed tabs can Chrome remember?
Chrome’s Ctrl+Shift+T typically remembers the last 10 recently closed tabs. For anything older, check History (Ctrl+H).
Can I reopen a tab closed in a different Chrome window?
Yes. Ctrl+Shift+T reopens recently closed tabs regardless of which window they were in. If you had two Chrome windows open and closed one, pressing the shortcut in the remaining window can reopen tabs from the closed one.
Does Chrome sync my history across devices?
Yes, if you’re signed in to Chrome. Go to History → click Tabs from other devices to see open and recently closed tabs from your other signed-in devices.
Quick checklist:
- ✅ Learn Ctrl+Shift+T (Cmd+Shift+T on Mac) — the fastest way to restore closed tabs
- ✅ Set Chrome startup to ‘Continue where you left off’ for crash recovery
- ✅ Use History (Ctrl+H) for tabs closed longer ago
- ✅ Sign into Chrome to access recently closed tabs from other devices
More Chrome Tips ↗ ↗Best Chrome Extensions
Conclusion
The Ctrl+Shift+T shortcut is one of those things that once you know it, you’ll use it almost every day. Set Chrome to restore your session on startup and you’ll never lose a full window of tabs to a crash again. For more time-saving Chrome tricks, check our Chrome tips and tricks guide.