Frequently Asked Questions

What is Free Tab Switcher?

Free Tab Switcher is a Chrome extension that automatically cycles through your open tabs at customizable intervals. It's perfect for monitoring multiple dashboards, comparing research sources, or creating digital displays.

How do I install Free Tab Switcher?

Simply visit the Chrome Web Store and click "Add to Chrome." The extension will be installed automatically and appear in your browser toolbar.

Is Free Tab Switcher really free?

Yes, absolutely! Free Tab Switcher is completely free to download and use. We believe productivity tools should be accessible to everyone.

Which browsers does it work with?

Currently, Free Tab Switcher is designed specifically for Google Chrome and Chromium-based browsers (like Microsoft Edge, Brave, and Opera). We're considering support for other browsers based on user demand.

How do I start cycling through tabs?

Click the Free Tab Switcher icon in your browser toolbar, set your desired interval (like 30 seconds or 2 minutes), choose any additional settings, then click "Apply." The extension will begin cycling through your tabs automatically.

Can I choose which tabs to cycle through?

Yes! Use the Tab Filtering feature to select exactly which tabs you want to include in your rotation. This is perfect for focusing on specific dashboards or research sources while leaving other tabs (like email or social media) out of the cycle.

What's the keyboard shortcut to control the extension?

Press Alt+S to quickly start or stop tab cycling. This hotkey works from any tab and makes it easy to control the extension without clicking through menus.

How do I stop the tab cycling?

You can stop cycling in several ways:

• Press the Alt+S keyboard shortcut
• Click the extension icon and click "Stop"
• Close the browser window
• Disable the extension

What are profiles and how do I use them?

Profiles let you save different tab cycling configurations for various scenarios. For example, you might create a "Dashboard Monitoring" profile with 1-minute intervals and a "Research" profile with 3-minute intervals. Switch between profiles instantly to match your current workflow.

How many profiles can I create?

You can create as many profiles as you need. Each profile saves your tab selection, cycling interval, refresh settings, and other preferences.

Can I use different settings for different browser windows?

Yes! Free Tab Switcher works independently in each Chrome window. You can have one window cycling through dashboards every 30 seconds while another window cycles through research tabs every 5 minutes.

What are the refresh options?

You can choose to:

• Refresh on interval: Automatically refresh tabs every few minutes to keep content up-to-date
• Refresh before switching: Reload each tab just before viewing it
• Refresh after switching: Reload each tab just after viewing it
• No refresh: Rely on the website's own auto-refresh features

Will this slow down my browser?

Free Tab Switcher is designed to be lightweight and efficient. However, cycling through many tabs or using very short intervals can increase memory usage. We recommend starting with 3-5 tabs and adjusting based on your system's performance.

Does it work with other Chrome extensions?

Yes, Free Tab Switcher is designed to work alongside other Chrome extensions. However, some ad blockers or tab management extensions might occasionally interfere. If you experience issues, try disabling other tab-related extensions temporarily.

Can I use it on mobile devices?

Free Tab Switcher is designed for desktop Chrome browsers. Mobile browsers have different tab management systems that don't support this type of automatic cycling.

Does it work with pinned tabs?

Yes, pinned tabs can be included in your cycling rotation if you select them in the tab filtering options.

What are the most popular use cases?

Our users commonly use Free Tab Switcher for:

• Dashboard monitoring: Cycling through analytics, sales, or performance dashboards
• Research projects: Comparing information across multiple sources
• Social media management: Monitoring multiple social platforms
• Digital signage: Creating displays for offices, lobbies, or retail spaces
• Market monitoring: Tracking financial data across multiple platforms

Can I use it for presentations?

Absolutely! Many users create dynamic presentations by cycling through web-based slides, dashboards, or content. Just set up your tabs in the right order and let the extension handle the transitions.

Is it good for monitoring multiple social media accounts?

Yes, it's perfect for social media managers who need to monitor multiple platforms, accounts, or social listening tools without constantly clicking between tabs.

Can I use it for customer support?

Many customer support teams use Free Tab Switcher to monitor multiple ticket systems, chat platforms, or support dashboards simultaneously.

The extension isn't cycling through my tabs. What's wrong?

First, check that:

• You've clicked "Apply" to start cycling
• You have at least 2 tabs selected in tab filtering
• Your interval is set to a reasonable time (try 30 seconds to test)
• The extension icon shows it's active (green status)

Some tabs aren't being included in the cycle.

Make sure you've enabled Tab Filtering and checked the boxes next to the tabs you want to include. Only selected tabs will be part of the cycling rotation.

The cycling stopped working after I opened new tabs.

New tabs aren't automatically added to your cycling rotation for security and control reasons. Use the tab filtering feature to add new tabs to your cycle, or enable "New Tab Detection" to get notifications about potential tabs to add.

The extension is using too much memory.

Try these optimization steps:

• Reduce the number of tabs in your cycle
• Increase the cycling interval
• Disable auto-refresh if you don't need it
• Close unnecessary background tabs
• Restart your browser periodically

What data does Free Tab Switcher collect?

Free Tab Switcher operates entirely within your browser and doesn't collect or transmit any personal data. All settings and profiles are stored locally on your device.

Can the extension see my browsing history?

No, Free Tab Switcher only has access to the tabs you explicitly include in your cycling rotation. It cannot see your browsing history, bookmarks, or tabs you haven't selected for cycling.

Is it safe to use with sensitive business information?

Yes, the extension operates locally and doesn't transmit any data over the internet. However, always follow your organization's policies regarding browser extensions and third-party software.

How often is the extension updated?

We regularly update Free Tab Switcher to improve performance, add features, and ensure compatibility with the latest Chrome versions. Updates are automatic through the Chrome Web Store.

How can I request new features?

We love hearing from our users! You can:

• Email us through our support contact
• Leave feedback on the Chrome Web Store
• Support the project and include feature suggestions

What if I find a bug or have technical issues?

Please report bugs or technical issues through our support channels. Include details about:

• Your Chrome version
• The steps that led to the issue
• What you expected to happen vs. what actually happened
• Any error messages you saw

Is there a user manual or detailed guide?

Yes! Check our blog for detailed guides, tutorials, and use case examples. We regularly publish helpful content for getting the most out of Free Tab Switcher.