How to Enable Vertical Tabs in Chrome

Chrome does not currently include a built-in vertical-tabs layout, so there is no setting to switch on in the browser. You can get a similar experience with a Chrome Web Store extension that displays your open tabs in a sidebar; you will need Chrome and should review an extension’s permissions before installing it.

What You’ll Need

Google Chrome on a computer. Chrome’s desktop extensions are not available in the same way on most mobile versions.
An internet connection to open the Chrome Web Store and install an extension.
A vertical-tabs extension you trust. Check its description, recent reviews, update history, and requested permissions before choosing one.

Step-by-Step

Confirm that Chrome is up to date. Open Chrome and select the three-dot menu in the top-right corner. Choose Help, then About Google Chrome. Chrome checks for updates on this page; if it installs one, select Relaunch when prompted. If the labels differ, use the browser’s Settings search for “update.”
Open the Chrome Web Store. In Chrome, visit the official Chrome Web Store and search for vertical tabs. Results can change, so do not rely on a particular extension name or assume every result is safe or maintained.
Compare a few candidates. Read each listing’s description to confirm that it provides a vertical tab list or sidebar, rather than just a new-tab page or tab manager. Look at recent reviews and the date of the latest update. Check the permissions and privacy information. A sidebar may need access to tabs or browsing data to show titles, organize tabs, or interact with them; avoid granting permissions that seem unrelated to its stated features.
Install the extension you choose. Open its listing and select Add to Chrome, then review the access prompt and choose Add extension only if you are comfortable with it. If Chrome presents a warning or the requested access does not make sense, cancel and look for another option.
Find the extension’s controls. Select the puzzle-piece Extensions icon near the address bar. Find your new extension and select it to open its panel or launch its sidebar. If you want quicker access, select the pin icon beside it in the Extensions menu. Pinning places its icon on the toolbar; it does not necessarily keep the sidebar open.
Open and set up the vertical tab list. Follow the extension’s own instructions. Depending on the extension, its tab list may open in a side panel, a separate window, or a page. If it offers a side-panel control, use that control and choose the extension as the panel’s content if Chrome asks. Look in the extension’s options for settings such as sidebar position, tab grouping, or whether to open the panel automatically.
Test everyday tab actions. Open several tabs, then check that the sidebar shows them and that selecting an entry switches to the correct page. Try closing a tab from the sidebar and opening a new one using its controls. Some extensions show tabs but do not replace Chrome’s normal tab strip, so you may see both layouts at once.
Keep Chrome’s standard tabs in mind. Chrome’s horizontal tab strip remains part of the browser interface. An extension provides an alternate view; it does not convert Chrome into a browser with native vertical tabs. If the sidebar is inconvenient, close it or disable the extension from the Extensions menu.

Common Mistakes

Looking for a built-in switch. Chrome does not provide a general vertical-tabs toggle in Settings. Flags and settings can change over time, so avoid instructions that ask you to enable an unfamiliar experimental option as if it were a stable feature.
Assuming every extension works the same way. Some provide a sidebar, while others open a separate page or window. Read the listing and setup instructions before installation.
Expecting the horizontal strip to disappear. Extensions generally add a vertical list rather than replacing Chrome’s built-in tab bar. Check whether a particular extension offers any supported way to reduce distraction, but do not expect it to remove browser interface elements.
Ignoring permissions. Extensions may request access to tabs or site data for features to work. Review each prompt and the listing’s privacy details; do not accept a request just because it appears during installation.
Installing several tab managers at once. Multiple extensions that control tabs or side panels can conflict or make it unclear which one is active. Disable or remove alternatives while testing.

Tips

Pin the extension’s toolbar icon if you open the sidebar often, but remember that pinning and opening are separate actions.
Use Chrome’s built-in tab groups alongside the extension if you want to organize related pages. Whether an extension displays groups depends on how it is made.
Before relying on an extension for work, test it with a small set of tabs and check whether it keeps its organization after restarting Chrome.
Review extensions occasionally. Remove ones you no longer use, and revisit permissions and update information if the extension changes substantially.
If you manage Chrome through a school or workplace, an administrator may restrict extensions. Ask the administrator rather than trying to bypass the restriction.

Troubleshooting

The extension does not appear after installation: Open the puzzle-piece Extensions menu and check whether it is listed. If it is, select it or pin it. If it is missing, revisit the Web Store listing and check whether Chrome completed the installation. On a managed device, extension installation may be blocked by policy.

The sidebar will not open: Select the extension’s toolbar icon and look for its open-sidebar command. Then check the extension’s instructions and options; its interface may use a separate window or page rather than Chrome’s side panel. Close and reopen Chrome, and check the listing for known compatibility notes.

The list is empty or out of date: Refresh the sidebar or use the extension’s reload control, if provided. Confirm that it has the permissions it needs and that Chrome is not showing a permission prompt. If the issue continues, disable other tab-management extensions and test again.

The extension behaves unexpectedly: Open Extensions from the puzzle-piece menu, select Manage extensions, and switch the extension off. If Chrome works normally afterward, remove the extension or contact its developer through the listing. Do not enter sensitive information into an extension page you do not recognize.

You cannot find a vertical-tabs option in Chrome settings: That is expected: Chrome does not currently have a standard built-in vertical-tabs setting. Use a suitable extension, or use Chrome’s tab groups and tab search as alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Chrome have built-in vertical tabs?
No general built-in vertical-tabs layout is available in Chrome. An extension can provide a similar sidebar view.

Can I remove Chrome’s horizontal tab strip?
Usually not with a vertical-tabs extension. The extension typically adds a second way to view and select tabs while Chrome keeps its standard strip.

Are vertical-tabs extensions available on phones?
Chrome’s desktop extension system is not generally available in the same way on Chrome for Android or iPhone. Follow the options provided by your device’s browser.

Will my tabs stay in the sidebar after I restart Chrome?
Chrome normally restores browser tabs according to its startup settings, but whether the extension restores its sidebar and organization depends on that extension. Test it before relying on the feature.

Is it safe to install a vertical-tabs extension?
Safety depends on the specific extension and its permissions, maintenance, and privacy practices. Review those details, install only what you need, and remove it if you no longer trust or use it.

Can I use tab groups with vertical tabs?
Often you can use Chrome tab groups, but how—or whether—the groups appear in a sidebar varies by extension. Check its documentation and test the behavior.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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