How to manage and disable tab and app merging in Google Chrome

Last update: July 18, 2026

Chrome settings

If you spend many hours browsing the web, you know that keeping your browser organized is a real headache. Google Chrome has implemented a lot of features to help us, but sometimes These changes make us uncomfortable or they simply don't fit with our way of working, especially when applications are mixed with tabs.

Whether you're using a computer at home or your Android mobile, there are options for customize the interface to your likingFrom the ability to group similar websites to the option of reverting to the old management system on mobile devices, we'll see how to master all these tools so that the browser adapts to you, not the other way around.

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How to remove the merging of tabs and apps on Android

There was a time when Android changed how multitasking was handled, forcing users to scroll through the recent apps list to switch between websites. For many, this system is cumbersome, and they prefer... regain internal control of the tabs within the Chrome application itself, as was the case in previous versions such as KitKat.

If you want to stop seeing your open tabs as separate applications in the multitasking menu, simply open Chrome on your device and go to the settings menu, clicking on the three vertical dots which appear at the top right. Once inside the settings, look for the option called combine lashes and apps and disable it. By doing this, you'll be managing everything from within the browser again, which is much faster.

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Mastering tabs and windows on the computer

For those using Chrome on Windows, Mac, or Linux, there are countless ways to open content. The most common is to click the button in the upper right corner, but if you want to be faster, the Keyboard shortcuts are the keyUse Ctrl + T on Windows or Command + T on Mac for a new tab, and Ctrl + N or Command + N if you prefer a full window from scratch.

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If you need to open a local file, you can simply drag it from your folder To open a new browser window, or use the Ctrl + O command (Command + O on Mac). For links, if you don't want to leave the page you're on, hold down the Ctrl (or Command) key while clicking the link, and it will automatically open in a new tab without taking you away from the current one.

Tips for organizing your workspace

When you have dozens of pages open, things get chaotic. To avoid this, you can set tabs by selecting them Right-click on a tab; these tabs shrink and remain pinned to the left. If you want to move a tab to a different window, make sure both windows have the same user profile, right-click on the tab, and choose the option to move it to another window.

Another very powerful function is the ability to group tabsThis allows you to create visual categories to keep everything organized. If you need to get rid of a group, the right-click menu lets you delete it completely or simply ungroup the pages, which will remain open but no longer be categorized. Additionally, you can hide groups Clicking on their name will prevent them from taking up unnecessary space in the top bar.

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For those who prefer a different view, Chrome now allows show tabs verticallyYou can activate this by right-clicking on an empty space in the tab bar or by going to Settings > Appearance. This is ideal if you have very wide monitors and want to make it easier to read the titles of open websites.

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Advanced management and process closure

Sometimes, a page freezes and becomes unresponsive. Instead of closing the entire browser, you can use the Chrome task managerTo access it, go to the three-dot menu, select "More tools," and then Task Manager. There you can see which tab is consuming the most resources. force the closure of the process specific without affecting the rest of your session.

If you've accidentally closed a window or tab you needed, don't panic. There's a magic combination: Ctrl + Shift + T (or Command + Shift + T on Mac) which allows you Restore tabs in ChromeYou can also name your windows to avoid confusion; right-click in the empty space next to the new tab button and select assign name to windowThis is very useful when you're working on different projects simultaneously.

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For those seeking maximum efficiency, it is possible highlight multiple tabs at onceSimply hold down the Ctrl key while selecting the ones you want, or use the Shift key to select an entire range. Once highlighted, you can right-click on any of them to close them all togethermove them to another window or mute the knocking sound.

Whether it's adjusting the vertical display, disabling app shuffling on Android, or mastering keyboard shortcuts, Chrome offers enormous flexibility for stress-free browsing and complete control over every open window and process on your computer or mobile device.