MRU tab switching for Chrome on macOS
Chrome Tab Switcher pairs a lightweight Chrome extension with a native macOS companion app to deliver lightning-fast, most-recently-used (MRU) tab switching.
Features
Instant switching
Jump back to your last tab or cycle through recent tabs in MRU order with customizable shortcuts.
Native overlay
The macOS app shows a native overlay with thumbnails, titles, and favicons, so you can see exactly where you’re heading before you switch.
Per-window context
Works independently per Chrome window, automatically filtering out incognito tabs unless you’re in an incognito window.
Requirements
- macOS companion app — Included in the Chrome Tab Switcher project. Must be installed and running; otherwise, the extension will only display a reminder notification.
- Google Chrome 110 or newer
How it works
Streams tab/window events and sends MRU data to the native app.
Stdio helper launched by Chrome; forwards messages into the menubar app.
Handles hotkeys (GlobalHotKeyManager), MRU state, and overlay rendering.
Designed for speed and reliability using the Chrome Native Messaging protocol.
Privacy & permissions
- Local-only communication — Tab titles, URLs, favicons, and optional preview screenshots are sent only to the local macOS companion app to render the overlay. This data never leaves your device and is never shared with third parties.
- Zero tracking — No analytics, no ads, and no remote network calls.
Need the full details? Read the privacy policy.