With every macOS update, Safari undergoes a significant change. For example, Safari can add background wallpapers, Privacy Report, and more with the macOS Big Sur update. MacOS Monterey now brings a modified design, new privacy features, tab groups, and a consistent tab bar. While the tabs look different, let’s look at the Tab Groups feature to manage them in Safari.
Before we show you how to use group tabs on Mac, let’s see what tab groups are in Safari and why you need to use them.
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What are tab groups in Safari on Mac?
In theory, Tab Groups is similar to what Google has done with Groups in the Google Chrome browser. But the implementation is different.
Tab groups are most useful when it comes to dozens of tabs in the browser. For example, you can create a group as Social and add your open social tabs in the group.
Similarly, you can create multiple groups in the Safari browser and move tabs from the general home page to the created groups. This is smarter tab management in the Safari browser on Mac. It is something advanced users will appreciate once they try out the tab groups in Safari.
Excited to try Safari Tab Groups? Let’s set it up.
Create tab groups in Safari browser on Mac
The tab group functionality is best served on the desktop. After all, you are supposed to open dozens of tabs on a Mac and not an iPhone.
If you have multiple tabs open in Safari browser, you can follow the steps below to take care of tab clutter on Mac.
Note: Tab groups are part of the Safari update in macOS Monterey 12.0. If you are still on macOS Big Sur, you need to update the software from the System Preferences menu. Apple is set to release the new update later this year. Until then, you can test the shiny new operating system on Mac at your own risk.
Step 1: Open the Safari browser on your Mac and start browsing. Try to open relevant tabs in the browser.
Step 2: Select a tab that you want to move to a group.
Step 3: Right-click on a tab and select Move to Tab Group from the context menu.
Step 4: Select New Tab Group.
Step 5: Safari will open a sidebar and you can give the group a relevant name.
Step 6: You will see the tab move from the standard interface to the newly created tab group.
You can follow the routine for all open tabs and organize them neatly into groups of tabs.
However, it can be a time-consuming process.
Create tab groups from currently open tabs
Apple also has a better way to create tab groups from current tabs. That’s how.
Step 1: Launch the Safari browser on Mac and open the relevant tabs from which you want to create a group.
Step 2: Click the little down arrow next to the sidebar menu at the top.
Step 3: Select New tab group with x tabs.
Step 4: Give the new Tab Group a name and Safari will add all the open tabs in that group.
No manual input is required. There is no need to move all tabs to a group in Safari on Mac.
How to delete tab groups in Safari
If you no longer need to use a specific tab group in the Safari browser, you can easily remove it from the app. That’s how.
Step 1: Launch Safari browser on Mac.
Step 2: Click on the sidebar at the top.
Step 3: In the Tab Groups menu, right-click the Tab Group you want to remove or two-finger click with the MacBook trackpad.
Step 4: Select Remove and Safari will remove the Tab Group from the browser.
From the same menu, you can also rename a group of tabs.
What about Safari on iPhone?
Safari on iPhone is also getting the new Tab Group plugin with iOS 15 update. All created tab groups will sync to iPhone with iOS 15 as well.
On the iPhone, you can also create new Tab Groups, add new tabs, rename the group, and even delete it.
Organize Safari Tabs Like a Pro
Tab Groups in Safari browser is an interesting add-on to enhance the desktop browsing experience. However, we would like to see more theme options like custom icons and colored tabs like Google Chrome in Safari for future updates.
Do you see yourself using Safari Tab Groups once macOS 12.0 Monterey arrives? Or are you comfortable with the Safari alternative on Mac? Share your Findings in the comments below.
