This method solves the problem: You need to disable "Tab Group Pane Android" in chrome://flags settings. If the problem still persists, disable the "Tab Strip Group Indicators Android" as well. Answer from Emergency_March_4671 on reddit.com
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Google Support
support.google.com › chrome › thread › 2196632 › how-to-set-google-chrome-to-always-open-pop-ups-in-a-new-tab
How to Set google chrome to Always Open Pop Ups in a New Tab...?? - Google Chrome Community
March 9, 2019 - Skip to main content · Google Chrome Help · Sign in · Google Help · Help Center · Community · Google Chrome · Terms of Service · Submit feedback · Send feedback on
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Google Support
support.google.com › chrome › answer › 95472
Block or allow pop-ups in Chrome - Android - Google Chrome Help
On your Android phone or tablet, open the Chrome app . Go to a page where pop-ups are blocked. At the bottom, tap Always show.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/chrome › how to prevent chrome from opening new tab when i open chrome?
r/chrome on Reddit: How to prevent Chrome from opening new tab when I open Chrome?
August 7, 2024 -

I've Googled this issue and there is no solution. I've tried changing the settings but it still happens. If I don't open Chrome for a while and then go to use the web browser, it opens a new tab and I have to close it every time. I have four tabs always open and I never use any more tabs. It's getting really annoying. It recently started doing it.

My theory is that Google updated Chrome to force me to look at all their news articles. If I'm unable to find a solution, I will look for a new browser.

Thanks in advance!

Find elsewhere
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Google Support
support.google.com › chrome › answer › 95472
Block or allow pop-ups in Chrome - Computer - Google Chrome Help
By default, Google Chrome blocks pop-ups from automatically showing up on your screen. When a pop-up is blocked, the address bar will be marked Pop-up blocked .
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Chrome Web Store
chromewebstore.google.com › detail › open-pop-up-as-tab › ahkigobklmfjfoddojojphffagkfakpc
Open pop-up as tab - Chrome Web Store
Forces Chrome to open new tabs instead of pop-up windows and/or links in the same tab by default instead of new or background tab.
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Quora
quora.com › Recently-a-random-Chrome-tab-with-an-ad-will-open-up-and-it-wont-allow-me-to-close-it-or-to-even-view-the-tab-unless-I-press-f3-to-view-all-open-windows-How-can-I-stop-this-or-prevent-it-from-doing-this
Recently, a random Chrome tab with an ad will open up and it won't allow me to close it or to even view the tab unless I press f3 to view all open windows. How can I stop this or prevent it from doing this? - Quora
When the Reset settings window pops up, select Reset settings to reset Chrome. If you do not want to share your current Chrome settings, you can uncheck the Help make Chrome better by reporting the current settings option. ... I ran into this as well. The work around to get the tab close is to Drag the tab out so it opens the tab is a new window.
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
How to Fix or Stop New Tabs Opening in Chrome Automatically [100% SOLVED!] - YouTube
In this tutorial, I show you How to Fix or Stop New Tabs Opening in Chrome Automatically [100% SOLVED!]. ►►►►Also, Check Out My Other Popular Videos: ✅ 1000+...
Published   March 24, 2023
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AdLock
adlock.com › blog › how to stop sites from opening new tabs automatically
How to Stop Sites from Opening New Tabs Automatically
October 17, 2025 - Why AdLock is the Best Choice: Blocks popup/tab-opening scripts Works in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Brave Stops auto new tabs on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS No root, no extension clutter — works system-wide Filters out malicious redirects and tab bombs · “I used to get 5+ new tabs every time I opened a news site. AdLock cleaned it up instantly.” — Verified User
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Google Support
support.google.com › chrome › answer › 95472
Block or allow pop-ups in Chrome - Android
June 1, 2025 - By default, Google Chrome blocks pop-ups from automatically showing up on your screen. When a pop-up is blocked, the address bar will be marked 'Pop-up blocked' .
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Brave Community
community.brave.app › t › option-to-make-popups-open-in-new-tabs › 564223
Option to make popups open in new tabs - Brave Community
August 20, 2024 - Hi, I am an ex Vivaldi user and it has an option that I like a lot. There is an option to make the browser to open all popups as tabs. So small or big popups never open, everything opens in a new tab. Ungoogled chromium also has added this option, I have tested it and it works very good.