How to Close All Open Tabs on iPhone?
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Safari on iPhone and iPad allows users to open as many tabs as needed. However, opening too many tabs can slow things down and make searching difficult.
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Instead of closing each tab individually, you can quickly shut them all using a built-in feature.
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Below, you will find methods to close all tabs manually and through automation testing.
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Manually Closing All Tabs on Safari
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If you have multiple tabs open and want to clear them at once, follow these steps:
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- Open the Safari browser on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap the Tabs button at the bottom-right corner (it looks like two overlapping squares).
- Press and hold the Done button at the bottom right.
- A menu will appear with different options.
- Select Close All Tabs to remove all open tabs instantly.
- Confirm your choice if prompted.
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This method is quick and effective when starting fresh without manually closing each tab.
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Alternative Method to Close All Tabs
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Some users may prefer an alternative way to achieve the same result:
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- Open Safari and press the Tabs button.
- Instead of long-pressing the Done button, scroll through open tabs.
- Swipe each tab to the left to close them manually.
- If there are too many tabs, long-pressing Done remains the fastest method.
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While swiping to close tabs works, it is time-consuming compared to the shortcut.
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Automating Tab Closure in iOS Safari
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For users performing automated testing, the process can be streamlined using Appium. Below is a Java code snippet for closing all Safari tabs in iOS 11 and later.
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Important Considerations
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- This method does not work with iOS 10 or earlier versions.
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- Android devices are not compatible with this approach.
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- Automation is helpful for developers and testers who must perform this task repeatedly.
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Java Code for Automating Safari Tab Closure
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Map<String, Object> params = new HashMap<>();
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params.clear();
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params.put(“automation”, “os”);
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driver.executeScript(“mobile:browser:open”, params);
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driver.context(“NATIVE_APP”);
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WebElement browserTab = driver.findElementByXPath(“//*[@label=\”Tabs\”]”);
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TouchAction action = new TouchAction(driver);
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action.longPress(browserTab).press(browserTab);
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action.perform();
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action.longPress(browserTab).release();
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action.perform();
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params.clear();
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params.put(“content”, “Close All”);
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params.put(“timeout”, “30”);
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driver.executeScript(“mobile:text:find”, params);
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driver.context(“NATIVE_APP”);
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driver.findElementByXPath(“//XCUIElementTypeButton[contains(@label,'Close All')]”).click();
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Thread.sleep(10000);
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Breaking Down the Java Code
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The provided Java code works by:
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- Opening Safari through automation.
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- Switching to the NATIVE_APP context.
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- Identifying the Tabs button in Safari.
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- Performing a long-press action on the Tabs button.
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- Searching for the “Close All” option.
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- Click the “Close All” button to remove all tabs.
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- Introducing a short wait time to ensure execution is completed.
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This method is beneficial in test automation, ensuring consistent behavior across multiple test cases.
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Comparison of Manual and Automated Methods
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The table below highlights the key differences between manual and automated tab closure:
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| Method | Requirements | Compatibility | Best For |
| Manual | iPhone or iPad with Safari | iOS 10 and later | Regular users |
| Automation | Appium setup, Java environment | iOS 11 and later | Test automation |
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Why Close Tabs Regularly?
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Keeping too many tabs open in Safari can:
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- Reduce browser performance.
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- Drain the battery faster.
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- Make it more challenging to find important pages.
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Regularly clearing tabs ensures better browsing speed and organization.
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Conclusion
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Closing all tabs in Safari can be done manually or through automation. Manual closure is quick for everyday use, while automation benefits developers and testers.
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Regardless of the method, keeping your tabs organized improves your browsing experience.
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Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
Jim continues to share his expertise and passion for tablets, helping his audience as much as he can with his motto “One Swipe at a Time!”