Popup Tab Switcher

Popup Tab Switcher

Makes switching between tabs more convenient.

What is Popup Tab Switcher?
'Popup Tab Switcher' is a unique Chrome extension designed to streamline your browsing experience. It offers a practical solution to quickly switch between your recent tabs using simple shortcuts (Alt + Y as default). It improves Chrome's default behavior by activating last active tab instead of nearest when you close a tab. Other sophisticated functionalities are comprised of being able to delegate default tab switching to the extension and handling limitations regarding special Chrome tabs, Chrome web store and file pages.
Merlin
Stats
Users: 10,000+
Rating: 4.47 (107)
Version: 2023.4 (Last updated: 2023-05-09)
Creation date: 2020-07-01
Risk impact: Moderate risk impact
Risk likelihood: Very low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 3
Permissions:
  • activeTab
  • favicon
  • scripting
  • storage
  • tabs
Host permissions:
  • file:///*
Size: 344.06K
URLs: Website
Stats date:

Other platforms

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Not available on Edge
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Merlin
Summary

The extension shows you a popup with last active tabs when you press its shortcut (Alt + Y by default). You cycle through them by holding Alt and pressing Y. By releasing the Alt key you switch to the chosen tab. This is like switching between apps in Windows (Alt + Tab) and in macOS (Cmd + Tab).

Also, when you close an active tab, you will be placed to the previously active one. It is more helpful than the default Chrome's behaviour, which activates the nearest tab.

You can delegate default switching between tabs by pressing Ctrl + Tab to the extension, see how https://github.com/dvdvdmt/popup-tab-switcher#replace-default-tab-switching-behaviour

NOTE: The extension tries to render its popup on the page wherever it is possible, but there are cases where it can't do that:

  • Chrome's web store pages. The extension doesn't work here.
  • Special Chrome tabs such as Settings, New tab, History, etc. In this case the extension tries to switch a user from a special tab to a previous tab without showing a popup.
  • The page has no focus (a user searches on the page, focused on address bar, etc.). In this case the extension shows its popup and starts a timer by the end of which it will switch a user to the selected tab.
  • Files pages (URL starts with file:///). The extension can't work on such pages without a special permission which you can turn on in Extensions > Popup Tab Switcher (Details) > Allow access to file URLs.

Source code on GitHub https://github.com/dvdvdmt/popup-tab-switcher

User reviews
User reviews summary
These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Customizable keyboard shortcuts
  • Instantly switches tabs without lag
  • Open source and trustworthy
  • Great for keyboard shortcut navigation
Cons
  • Issues with tab groups
  • Settings not saving after closing popup
  • Auto switch timeout feature is annoying
Most mentioned
  • Customizable keyboard shortcuts
  • Issues with tab groups
  • Open previously active tab feature
  • Number of tabs in the list
  • Auto switch timeout feature
Recent reviews
Best tab switcher ever, I'm a power user and it has everything I need
by Alex Chen Alex Chen, 2022-08-10

Perfect for keyboard shortcut I set the keyboard shortcut to cmd + 1 on my mac, and now I can hold down cmd key and keep pressing 1 to switch to whatever tabs I want, cmd + tab style. This is perfect.
by Alex Chen Alex Chen, 2023-03-14

Best tab switcher ever, I'm a power user and it has everything I need
by Alex Chen Alex Chen, 2022-08-10
View all user reviews
Safety
Risk impact

Popup Tab Switcher may not be safe to use and it requires some risky permissions. Exercise caution when installing this extension. Review carefully before installing.

Risk likelihood

Popup Tab Switcher has earned a good reputation and can be trusted.

Upgrade to see risk analysis details
Promo video
Screenshots
Promo images
Popup Tab Switcher small promo image
Small promo image
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