Switch and restore Firefox tabs on Mac
On Mac, Command-T opens a Firefox tab and Command-Shift-T restores a recently closed tab or window. Command-Option-Left Arrow and Right Arrow move between tabs. Control-Tab can use recently-used order, depending on Settings.
Firefox · Reviewed 2026-11-05 · Review method
Platform, keyboard and verification notes
- Scope
- Firefox · Firefox for macOS; Mozilla documentation checked 4 November 2026. Defaults, not a runtime version certification.
- Keyboard and customization
- English documentation and US-style key names. Punctuation and function keys can differ on other layouts.. These are documentation-backed defaults, not a hands-on test. App settings, operating-system shortcuts, extensions and keyboard layout can change what happens. Check focus and the current app menu or shortcut settings when a binding differs.
- Review basis
- Documentation reviewed 2026-11-05 by Codex — source and editorial review; no runtime test. These bindings were not tested in a running app for this guide.
Mac shortcuts for this workflow
| Action | Keys | Context |
|---|---|---|
| New tab | Command-T | Open a new browsing surface. Source ↗ |
| Tab to the left | Command-Option-Left Arrow | Move along the tab strip. Source ↗ |
| Tab to the right | Command-Option-Right Arrow | Move to the neighboring tab. Source ↗ |
| Restore closed tab or window | Command-Shift-T | Recover in the order items were closed. Source ↗ |
| Cycle tabs | Control-Tab | Recently-used order depends on Firefox Settings. Source ↗ |
Choose an order you can predict
The tab strip has a visual order, while recently-used navigation follows your activity. If Control-Tab jumps farther than expected, inspect its setting before assuming Firefox lost a tab. The directional Command-Option shortcuts are useful when the desired page is visibly adjacent to the current tab.
Restore one item and identify it
When you close a source accidentally, restore it once and read its title. Firefox’s documented command can recover a tab or window, depending on what was closed. Opening a new tab and entering the address again creates a new browsing instance; it does not necessarily recover the earlier page state or unfinished form.
Practice without risking a draft
Create two disposable tabs, switch using the directional shortcuts, close one, then restore it. Keep an important unsent form out of the exercise. If a shortcut differs from this list, inspect Firefox’s current shortcut settings and any macOS conflict. Mozilla’s customization feature is version-dependent, so a guide to defaults cannot describe every user’s assigned keys.
Sources and corrections
- Keyboard shortcuts — Perform common Firefox tasks quickly — Mozilla Support — checked 2026-11-04
- Customize keyboard shortcuts in Firefox — Mozilla Support — checked 2026-11-04
Found a mismatch? Email pashaseenainc@gmail.com with your app version, macOS version, keyboard layout and the command. Please leave personal document names out.
Keep going
Right there when you need it.
Keep a compact shortcut reference in your Mac’s menu bar.
Explore the native Mac app