In Arc browser, "closed" tabs are typically moved to an Archive rather than being permanently deleted, making them easy to restore. Arc's unique approach helps maintain a clean and organized browsing experience by automatically moving inactive tabs to this archive.
Restoring Tabs from the Arc Archive
Arc doesn't just "close" tabs in the traditional sense; it archives them to keep your sidebar clean. This means tabs you might consider "closed" are often readily available for restoration from your Archive.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to find and restore any tab that has been archived:
-
Access the Archive:
- On Mac: Press
Command-Tto open the Command Bar. Then, type "View Archive" and select it from the suggestions, or simply click on the dedicated "Archive" section within your Arc sidebar (often represented by a small drawer or archive icon). - On Windows: Press
Control-Tto open the Command Bar. Then, type "View Archive" and select it from the suggestions, or simply click on the dedicated "Archive" section within your Arc sidebar.
- On Mac: Press
-
Locate Your Tab: Once in the Archive, you will see a list of all your archived tabs. They are typically organized, making it easy to browse for the specific tab you wish to reopen.
-
Restore the Tab:
- Option A: Look for a small "Restore" icon (often a curved arrow or similar symbol) next to the tab you want to retrieve. Clicking this icon will move the tab back to your active sidebar.
- Option B: You can also simply click on the archived tab itself. This action will automatically restore the tab to your current Space, making it active again.
Understanding Arc's Auto-Archive Feature
One of Arc's core features is Auto-Archive. This mechanism automatically moves inactive tabs from your active Spaces to the Archive after a certain period. This is why tabs you haven't interacted with recently might "disappear" from your sidebar, but they are not gone forever—they are simply moved to the Archive, waiting for you to restore them whenever needed. This "clean as you go" approach helps prevent sidebar clutter without losing valuable browsing history.
Quick Tips for Managing Arc Tabs
- Proactive Archiving: To keep your active Spaces streamlined, manually archive tabs you're done with by right-clicking them and selecting "Archive Tab" or dragging them to the Archive section.
- Search the Archive: If you have many archived tabs, use the search functionality within the Archive view (or through the Command Bar) to quickly find specific content by title or URL.
Useful Arc Keyboard Shortcuts
| Action | Mac Shortcut | Windows Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Command Bar | Command-T |
Control-T |
Access commands, search, or view archive. |
| View Archive Directly | Command-T then search "View Archive" |
Control-T then search "View Archive" |
Quickly navigate to your archived tabs. |
| Restore Archived Tab | Click Restore icon/tab in Archive | Click Restore icon/tab in Archive | Bring an archived tab back to an active Space. |
