How to Open Links in New Tab on Safari
Safari is a widely used web browser that offers a lot of convenient features, one of which is its tab management system. If you're a frequent Safari user, you may have noticed that opening links in new tabs can sometimes get a little tricky. This article will guide you on how to open links in new tabs on Safari with various methods using both mouse actions and keyboard shortcuts. We’ll also discuss how to customize Safari's tab settings and preferences on both MacOS and iOS devices.
Understanding Safari's Tab Management
Before we start discussing how to open links in new tabs, it's important to understand how Safari manages tabs. Unlike other browsers that limit tabs to a set amount, Safari allows users to open an almost infinite number of tabs without slowing down the system. Safari also has a unique feature where it displays the user's most frequently accessed items and recommends opening them in new tabs. This helps users navigate through their regularly accessed websites with ease.
The Benefits of Opening Links in New Tabs
Opening links in new tabs can help you multitask without losing your place. When you open a link in a new tab, you can continue browsing the original page while the new page loads in the background. You can switch to the new tab at your convenience without closing or reloading your current page. This feature is especially useful when you're researching or reading a long article and want to keep multiple pages open.
How Safari's Tab Management Differs from Other Browsers
When it comes to tab management, Safari differs from other browsers in significant ways. For example, Safari doesn't have a dedicated button for opening new tabs, nor does it display a visual tab bar like other browsers do. Instead, it has a hidden Tab Bar that appears only when you have multiple tabs open, and they all don't fit into the window. Safari also has multiple ways to customize the tab bar's appearance and behavior, such as opening new links in tabs, and controlling how tabs should behave when they are closed or reloaded.
Enabling and Customizing Safari's Tab Settings
Accessing Safari's Preferences
To begin customizing Safari’s tab settings, navigate to Safari's preferences. You can do this by clicking on "Safari" in the top menu bar, then "Preferences," or by using the keyboard shortcut "Command + ," (comma). Once you’re in the preferences, click on the "Tabs" icon located at the top of the window.
Adjusting Tab Preferences for a Better Browsing Experience
Once you have accessed Tab settings in preferences, you can adjust how new tabs open. If you'd prefer new links to open in tabs, check the "Open pages in tabs instead of windows" box located at the top of the window. To customize how tabs behave when you close them or reload them, you can select from three options: "Leave it as is," "Always close tabs," and "Confirm before closing all tabs." You can also choose to open pages with the same domain name in the same window and disable automatic tab management for a more manual and controlled approach.
Opening Links in New Tabs Using Mouse Actions
Right-Click and Open in New Tab
The most common way to open a link in a new tab using the mouse is by right-clicking the link and selecting "Open Link in New Tab" from the context menu. Alternatively, you can hold down the "Option" key on your keyboard while clicking on the link to open it in a new tab. If you'd like to open a link in a new tab in the background so that it doesn't automatically come to the front, you can right-click the link and select "Open Link in New Background Tab."
Using a Mouse with Additional Buttons
If you're using a mouse with additional buttons, such as a gaming mouse, you can customize the mouse's buttons to perform specific functions. For example, you can set one of the mouse buttons to open links in new tabs. To customize the button functions, navigate to the "Mouse" section within System Preferences, then click on the "Buttons" tab. From there, choose the button you'd like to customize and select the "Mission Control" option. This will allow you to assign the button to open links in new tabs.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Opening Links in New Tabs
The Command + Click Shortcut
One of the easiest ways to open links in new tabs is by using the Command + Click keyboard shortcut. Simply hold down the Command key while clicking on the link, and Safari will open it in a new tab. If you'd like to open the link in the background simultaneously, add the Option key to the keyboard shortcut to make it Command + Option + Click.
Other Useful Keyboard Shortcuts for Tab Management
Safari has a few more keyboard shortcuts that can help you manage your tabs more efficiently. Here are some of the best:
Command + T - Open a new tab
Command + W - Close the current tab
Command + Shift + T - Reopen the last closed tab
Opening Links in New Tabs on iOS Devices
Using Long Press on iPhone and iPad
Opening links in new tabs on iOS devices is slightly different from MacOS. To do so on iPhones and iPads, long-press the link until a menu appears, then tap the "Open In New Tab" option. If you'd like to open links in the background on iOS devices, do the same but select "Open in Background" instead.
Customizing Safari Settings on iOS for Tab Management
On iOS, you can customize Safari's tab settings by navigating to "Settings" and selecting "Safari." From there, you can enable "Open Links" in a new tab and "Open Pages" in the background. You can also adjust handling of links in emails and change where new links open, either in "Current Tab" or "New Tab."
In Conclusion
Now that you know how to open links in new tabs on Safari using both mouse actions and keyboard shortcuts, you can customize Safari's tab settings to suit your browsing habits on both MacOS and iOS devices. Whether you're researching on your Mac or browsing on your iPhone, Safari's efficient tab management system ensures that you'll breeze through your tabs easily and efficiently.