That feeling you get when you close the wrong browser tab by accident is no fun. Fortunately, Safari for iOS, like most modern browsers, provides a way to recover from your little mishap. You just have to know where to look.

RELATED: How to Restore Recently Closed Tabs in Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Edge

Most web browsers allow you to open a recently closed tab, either through a keyboard shortcut or menu selection. Safari on iOS is no different. It remembers the last five tabs you closed (unless you force quit the app or restart your phone). The feature is a little hidden, though, so unless you’ve already discovered it by accident, here’s what to do.

In Safari, tap the Tabs button at the bottom right of your screen.

In the Tabs view, tapping the Plus button opens a new page. Instead of tapping it, tap and hold it for a few seconds to open a list of recently closed tabs.

Tap any selection from the Recently Closed Tabs list.

And enjoy not having to search for that page again.

That’s all there is to it. It’s a simple trick once you know it’s available, but it’s super handy in a pinch.

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Profile Photo for Walter Glenn Walter Glenn
Walter Glenn is a former Editorial Director for How-To Geek and its sister sites. He has more than 30 years of experience in the computer industry and over 20 years as a technical writer and editor. He's written hundreds of articles for How-To Geek and edited thousands. He's authored or co-authored over 30 computer-related books in more than a dozen languages for publishers like Microsoft Press, O'Reilly, and Osborne/McGraw-Hill. He's also written hundreds of white papers, articles, user manuals, and courseware over the years.
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