This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Natao arisiva ity resaka mitohy ity. Mametraha fanontaniana azafady raha mila fanampiana.

Firefox not restoring previous tabs even though "Restore Previous Session" is selected

  • 3 valiny
  • 1 manana an'ity olana ity
  • 2 views
  • Valiny farany nomen'i peterjahn1979

more options

I run FF on both a Windows machine and a MacBook Pro. On the MBP the browser does not save my tabs, despite "restore previous session" being selected. I do not have this problem on the Windows machine.

I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the browser but it has not made a difference.

I'm running the latest version of the browser and the OS is Big Sur.

I run FF on both a Windows machine and a MacBook Pro. On the MBP the browser does not save my tabs, despite "restore previous session" being selected. I do not have this problem on the Windows machine. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the browser but it has not made a difference. I'm running the latest version of the browser and the OS is Big Sur.

Novain'i peterjahn1979 t@

Vahaolana nofidina

Note that on Mac closing Firefox can be more complicated because you can close all open windows, but keep Firefox running with the menu bar visible or minimized in the Doc.

Make sure to use "Quit Firefox" with all windows still open, especially if you want to use "Restore Previous Session". Otherwise check "History -> Restore Previous Session" and "History -> Recently Closed Tabs/Windows".

Hamaky an'ity valiny ity @ sehatra 👍 1

All Replies (3)

more options

Hi, are you losing any other history between sessions, or only open tabs?

Are you ending your session by keeping your windows open and using Firefox > Quit from the menu? I believe on MacOS, if you don't Quit with the windows you want restored still open, restoring your session doesn't bring back any of the closed windows. It still might be possible to restore them using the History menu. Either:

  • (menu bar) History > Recently Closed Windows
  • "3-bar" menu button > History > Recently Closed Windows
  • "Library" toolbar button > History > Recently Closed Windows

Note: Each window also has its own Recently Closed Tabs list.

(But I don't use Mac, so I can't put hands on to test.)

more options

Vahaolana Nofidina

Note that on Mac closing Firefox can be more complicated because you can close all open windows, but keep Firefox running with the menu bar visible or minimized in the Doc.

Make sure to use "Quit Firefox" with all windows still open, especially if you want to use "Restore Previous Session". Otherwise check "History -> Restore Previous Session" and "History -> Recently Closed Tabs/Windows".

more options

Thank you for your replies. FF does indeed seem to save my tabs upon reopening if I "quit" the application as opposed to closing the windows.