# How to create a tab group in Safari on Mac: steps, names, and adding tabs

> How to create a tab group in Safari on Mac: open the sidebar menu, pick a group type, name it, and add tabs with Control-click.

URL: https://www.lazur.app/how-to/create-a-tab-group-in-safari
Updated: 2026-11-08

Click the down arrow next to the Sidebar button in Safari's toolbar, then choose New Empty Tab Group or New Tab Group with your open tabs. Name the group, press Return, and add tabs by Control-clicking a tab and choosing Move to Tab Group.

## Quick answer

- Click the down arrow next to the Sidebar button, then choose New Empty Tab Group or New Tab Group with your open tabs.
- Type a name for the group and press Return. The group then appears in the sidebar.
- Control-click a tab in the tab bar and choose Move to Tab Group, or drag the tab into the group.
- Tab groups arrived in Safari 15 with macOS Monterey in 2021, and they sync to your other Apple devices.

Applies to: Safari on Mac, Safari 15 and later (macOS Monterey and newer). Time: 2 min. Difficulty: Easy.

## What you need

- Safari 15 or later, which shipped with macOS Monterey
- At least one tab open in Safari
- The same Apple Account on every device if you want groups to sync

## How to Create a tab group in Safari on Mac in Safari on a Mac

1. **Open the tab group menu.** (Safari toolbar > Sidebar button > Down arrow) Look at the toolbar at the top of the Safari window. Click the down arrow next to the Sidebar button. If the sidebar is already open, click the Add Tab Group button instead. Tip: Once the sidebar is open, the Add Tab Group button is the one to click.
2. **Pick an empty group or a group with tabs.** (Sidebar button > Down arrow > New Empty Tab Group) Choose New Empty Tab Group for a blank group. Choose New Tab Group with [number] Tabs to start the group with the tabs already open in the window. Tip: You can add or move tabs later, so this choice does not lock the group.
3. **Name the group and press Return.** (Sidebar > New tab group name field) Shortcut: Return. Type a name in the field, such as Trip planning or Work research. Press Return to save the name and create the group. Tip: Pick names that describe the task so the sidebar is easy to scan.
4. **Add a tab to the group.** (Tab bar > Tab > Move to Tab Group > Group name) Control-click a tab in the tab bar. Choose Move to Tab Group, then pick the group. You can also drag the tab from the tab bar into the group. Tip: Holding Control while you click opens the same menu as a right-click.
5. **Preview the group's tabs.** (Sidebar > Tab group > Control-click > Show Tab Overview) Shortcut: ⇧⌘\. Control-click the group in the sidebar and choose Show Tab Overview. The tabs appear as thumbnails. Apple's shortcut list gives the same command the keys ⇧⌘\, so test it on your Mac. Tip: Check that the shortcut opens the view you expect before you depend on it.
6. **Check the group on your other devices.** (System Settings > Your name > iCloud > See All > Safari) Sign in with the same Apple Account on your iPhone and iPad, and make sure Safari is on in iCloud settings. Then look for the group on the other device. Apple says tab groups sync across Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Tip: Sync problems are usually fixed by checking the Apple Account first.

## Find the tab group button in the Safari toolbar

Tab groups start from the sidebar area of the Safari toolbar. Apple's current Safari guide says to click the down arrow next to the Sidebar button. If the sidebar is already open, click the Add Tab Group button instead. Either way, a menu opens with the options for a new group. The guide is labeled for macOS 27 (Golden Gate), which is the newest label on Apple's page. If your screen looks a little different, check that your Safari and macOS versions match what Apple lists.

![Man working on a MacBook with a web browser open at a desk](https://images.lazur.app/content-images/howto/create-a-tab-group-in-safari/how-to-create-a-tab-group-in-1-817cd4.jpg)

You need Safari 15 or later for tab groups. Apple introduced them with macOS Monterey in 2021. Apple's June 7, 2021 newsroom release described tab groups as a way to save and manage tabs. If your Safari is older, open About This Mac > Software Update and install the newest update your Mac supports. Macworld's Safari 15 guide describes that same update path for Big Sur users.

## Choose between an empty group and a group with tabs

The two options in the menu do different things at the start. New Empty Tab Group creates a group with no tabs, so you add pages later. New Tab Group with [number] Tabs starts the group with the tabs you have open right now. Pick the empty option when you are collecting pages for a project over several days. Pick the numbered option when the pages you need are already open and you want them in one step. You can add or move tabs later either way.

| Menu or action | What it does | Where to find it |
| --- | --- | --- |
| New Empty Tab Group | Creates a group with no tabs | Down arrow next to the Sidebar button |
| New Tab Group with [number] Tabs | Creates a group that holds your open tabs | Same menu as above |
| Move to Tab Group | Moves one tab into an existing group | Control-click a tab in the tab bar |
| Show Tab Overview | Shows a group's tabs as thumbnails | Control-click the group in the sidebar |

_The four group actions in Apple's current Safari guide_

## Name the group so you can find it later

Safari asks for a name right after you choose a group type. Type the name, then press Return. A name such as Tax receipts or Kitchen remodel tells you more than a generic label does. This matters more than it sounds. When you have several groups, the names in the sidebar are the only clue you have about what each group holds. Pick names that describe the task, not the sites, because the sites change as you browse.

## Add tabs with Control-click or drag

Adding a tab takes one of two routes. The first is Control-click. Control-click a tab in the tab bar, choose Move to Tab Group, then pick the group from the list. The second is drag. Drag the tab from the tab bar into the group. Use whichever route feels faster to you. After each move, glance at the sidebar to confirm the group name is the one you wanted.

## Preview a group with Show Tab Overview

Show Tab Overview turns a group's tabs into a grid of thumbnails. It helps when several pages have similar titles, such as a few shopping pages for the same purchase. To open it, Control-click the group in the sidebar and choose Show Tab Overview. Apple's keyboard shortcut list also gives ⇧⌘\ for Show tab overview. Test that shortcut before you rely on it, because the list describes the command in general terms. The list shows no shortcut for creating a group, so that step stays with the mouse or trackpad.

- **Safari 15** First Safari version with tab groups, shipped with macOS Monterey ([source](https://www.macworld.com/article/349519/safari-15-macos-12-monterey-big-sur-tab-bar-groups-design-sidebar-how-to.html))
- **5 to 10** Average open tabs reported in one Aalto University survey ([source](https://www.pcworld.com/article/1813173/is-chrome-stressing-you-out-you-may-have-too-many-tabs-open.html))
- **7.83%** Safari share of worldwide desktop browsers in October 2026, all desktop platforms ([source](https://gs.statcounter.com/browser-market-share/desktop/worldwide))

## Why tab groups help when you have too many tabs

Tab groups target a clutter problem. An Aalto University study, as reported by PCWorld, surveyed 400 online respondents and 16 in-person interviewees. The average was 5 to 10 open tabs and 1 to 3 open windows at one time. About 57% of people saw browser clutter as a mild issue, and almost 25% called it a somewhat or serious concern. PCWorld does not name the venue, so treat these figures as a rough picture of general habits, not a measure of Safari users.

![Person browsing several web pages on a laptop in a cafe](https://images.lazur.app/content-images/howto/create-a-tab-group-in-safari/how-to-create-a-tab-group-in-3-7e292c.jpg)

## A worked example: planning a trip

Here is a realistic run-through. You are booking a trip and have several tabs open for flights, a hotel, a car rental, and restaurant ideas. Open the sidebar menu and choose New Tab Group with [number] Tabs, so the open pages move into the new group. Type Trip to Lisbon and press Return. Then Control-click the restaurant tab, choose Move to Tab Group, and pick Trip to Lisbon. Repeat that for any tab that belongs with the trip. Leave the group open while you book, then check the sidebar before you close the window.

## Sync tab groups to your iPhone and iPad

Apple says tab groups sync across Mac, iPhone, and iPad. It said so when it announced the feature in June 2021. To make sync work, sign in with the same Apple Account on every device, turn on two-factor authentication, and confirm that Safari is on in iCloud settings. On the Mac, go to System Settings > your name > iCloud, click See All next to Saved to iCloud, and turn Safari on.

![Person at a desk using a Mac laptop for browsing with a phone nearby](https://images.lazur.app/content-images/howto/create-a-tab-group-in-safari/how-to-create-a-tab-group-in-2-cb844d.jpg)

## Mistakes people make with tab groups

- Typing a name but skipping Return. Press Return to finish the naming step.
- Using a plain click on the tab. A plain click opens the page, while Control-click opens the menu with Move to Tab Group.
- Looking for a shortcut to create a group. Apple's current shortcut list shows none.
- Following the old File menu path. Macworld's 2021 guide lists it, but Apple's current guide does not mention it.
- Expecting instant sync. Sync needs the same Apple Account on each device and Safari turned on in iCloud settings.
- Naming groups after the site instead of the task. Task names make the sidebar easier to scan.

## Fix a group that does not appear on other devices

Start with the Apple Account, which Apple's sync guidance puts first. Sign in with the same account on every device. Then confirm two-factor authentication is on and that Safari is on in iCloud settings. If tabs still do not appear, update macOS. Apple's iCloud Tabs page lists macOS Mojave 10.14.4 as its minimum for that feature, so an older Mac may need an update before sync works. Some online threads report groups vanishing after macOS updates. Apple's documentation does not confirm that, so treat those reports as unverified.

## Older guides show a File menu path

Older guides give a different path. Macworld's Safari 15 guide from 2021 lists File > New Tab Group with [number] Tabs and File > New Empty Tab Group. It also gives Control+Command+N for an empty group. Apple's current guide mentions neither the File menu nor that shortcut, and Apple's shortcut list shows no shortcut for creating a group. Use the Sidebar down arrow first. If the File menu on your own Mac has the options, the older path may still work on your version, but confirm it on screen before you rely on it.

## Your next steps with tab groups

Try one group for a single task this week. Name it, add the tabs you need, and check it on your iPhone or iPad if sync is set up. Then use Show Tab Overview when the sidebar starts to feel crowded. A group with one clear purpose is easier to scan, so keep each name tied to that purpose. If a group stops matching its purpose, rename it or start a new one instead of adding unrelated tabs to it.

## Shortcuts

- Show tab overview: ⇧⌘\
- Close the active tab: ⌘W
- Reopen the last closed tab: ⇧⌘T
- Confirm a group name: Return

## If it does not work

- **The Add Tab Group button does not appear** Open the sidebar first. Apple's guide uses the down arrow next to the Sidebar button when the sidebar is closed, and the Add Tab Group button when it is open.
- **Tabs did not move into the group** Control-click the tab itself in the tab bar, not the page content, and choose Move to Tab Group. Check that the group name matches the one you picked.
- **The group is missing on your iPhone or iPad** Use the same Apple Account on every device, turn on two-factor authentication, and confirm Safari is on in iCloud settings. Then update macOS if tabs still do not appear.
- **An old guide shows a File menu option** Apple's current guide uses the Sidebar down arrow instead. Start there, and only check the File menu on your Mac if the sidebar route fails.

## With Lazur

Lazur is a voice assistant for the Mac that lives in the notch. Hold ⌥ ⌘ and ask; it sees your screen, answers out loud, points at buttons and walks you through apps. Hold fn to dictate. Free for 3 days, then $18/month: https://www.lazur.app/download

- “Walk me through making a tab group in Safari.”: Lazur guides you one click at a time, waiting for each click. It points at the Sidebar button first, then at each menu item in turn. (Walks you through it)

## FAQ

### Where is the button to create a tab group in Safari?

Click the down arrow next to the Sidebar button in the Safari toolbar. If the sidebar is already open, click the Add Tab Group button. Apple's current guide describes both, then asks you to choose New Empty Tab Group or New Tab Group with [number] Tabs.

### Is there a keyboard shortcut for creating a tab group?

Apple's current keyboard shortcut list shows none for creating a group. Macworld's 2021 guide gives Control+Command+N for an empty group, but Apple's list does not confirm it. Test it on your Mac before you rely on it.

### Do tab groups sync to iPhone and iPad?

Yes, according to Apple. Apple says tab groups sync across Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Use the same Apple Account on each device, turn on two-factor authentication, and make sure Safari is on in iCloud settings.

### Which Safari version added tab groups?

Safari 15 added tab groups. Apple shipped the feature with macOS Monterey, and Apple's June 7, 2021 newsroom release described it. If your Mac runs an older Safari, check About This Mac > Software Update for the newest version your Mac supports.

### Why does the File menu not show New Tab Group?

Apple's current guide does not mention a File menu path. The 2021 Macworld guide does, which suggests the path may have changed. Use the Sidebar down arrow, and check the File menu on your own Mac before you rely on the older steps.

### Can I see a group's tabs without switching to them?

Yes, through Show Tab Overview. Control-click the group in the sidebar, choose Show Tab Overview, and the tabs appear as thumbnails. Apple's shortcut list also gives ⇧⌘\ for Show tab overview, though it does not tie that shortcut to groups.

### What macOS version do I need for tab groups?

Apple introduced tab groups in Safari 15 on macOS Monterey. Apple's iCloud Tabs page lists macOS Mojave 10.14.4 as the minimum for that sync feature. It gives no separate minimum for tab groups, so check About This Mac on your Mac.

### Does this guide cover Safari on iPhone?

No. This guide covers Safari on Mac only. The controls it describes, the Sidebar button and Control-click, are Mac controls. Groups you make on the Mac sync to your other Apple devices, according to Apple.

## Sources

1. [Group tabs in Safari on Mac, Apple Support Guide](https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/group-tabs-ibrwa2d73908/mac), Apple, checked 2026-11-08
2. [Keyboard shortcuts and gestures in Safari on Mac, Apple Support Guide](https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/keyboard-shortcuts-and-gestures-cpsh003/mac), Apple, checked 2026-11-08
3. [Safari, Apple](https://www.apple.com/safari/), Apple, checked 2026-11-08
4. [macOS Monterey introduces powerful features to get more done, Apple Newsroom](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/06/macos-monterey-introduces-powerful-features-to-get-more-done/), Apple, checked 2026-11-08
5. [Set up and use iCloud Tabs, Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/en-us/108409), Apple, checked 2026-11-08
6. [Safari 15 for macOS now available, Macworld](https://www.macworld.com/article/349519/safari-15-macos-12-monterey-big-sur-tab-bar-groups-design-sidebar-how-to.html), Macworld, checked 2026-11-08
7. [Desktop Browser Market Share Worldwide, StatCounter](https://gs.statcounter.com/browser-market-share/desktop/worldwide), StatCounter, checked 2026-11-08
8. [All those open browser tabs are stressing you out, study says, PCWorld](https://www.pcworld.com/article/1813173/is-chrome-stressing-you-out-you-may-have-too-many-tabs-open.html), PCWorld, checked 2026-11-08