Brave Browser Saved Tab Groups Disappearing? Troubleshooting and Solutions

Tired of your saved tab groups vanishing in Brave Browser? You're not alone. Many users have reported this frustrating issue, where saved tab groups disappear upon browser restart or after updates. This article explores potential causes and practical solutions to restore your saved tabs and prevent future data loss.

Symptoms of the Disappearing Tab Group Issue

Users experience various symptoms, including:

• Saved tab groups disappearing after restarting Brave.
• Tab groups vanishing after browser updates.
• Only some tabs within a group opening, with the rest ungrouped.
• Duplicate tab groups appearing in the toolbar.
• Multiple instances of the same device listed in Brave Sync.

If you encounter these issues, follow the troubleshooting steps below to recover your tabs.

Initial Troubleshooting Steps

Before diving into more complex solutions, try these basic steps:

• Check "Continue where you left off": Ensure your "On startup" setting is set to "Continue where you left off" in Brave's settings.
• 
• Verify Data Clearing Settings: Confirm that "Delete browsing data on exit" is not enabled for any relevant data types.
• Resave Tab Groups: Some users have found temporary relief by right-clicking each tab group, unchecking 'Save Group,' and then rechecking it.

Advanced Solutions: Brave Flags Configuration

Brave Flags are experimental features that can sometimes resolve underlying issues. Here’s how to adjust them:

1. Access Brave Flags: Type brave://flags in the address bar and press Enter.
2. Search for Tab Group Flags: Use the search bar to find flags related to tab groups.

Some users have reported success with the following configurations:

• Enabling 'Tab groups Save UI Update': Enable this flag, as it may improve the user interface and stability of saved tab groups.
• Disabling 'Tab Groups Save and Sync V2' and 'Tab group sync service migration': These flags might cause issues with duplicate tab groups. Disabling them could prevent data loss.

Important Note: Modifying Brave Flags can sometimes lead to unexpected behavior. Proceed with caution and revert changes if you experience new problems.

Managing Duplicate Devices in Brave Sync

Multiple listings of the same device in Brave Sync can indicate synchronization issues. To resolve this:

• Disconnect and Reconnect Sync: Try disconnecting all devices from Brave Sync and then reconnecting them one by one.
• Remove Phantom Devices: If you see duplicate devices, remove the older or inactive entries. Ensure the remaining device reflects your current setup.

Alternative Solution: Bookmark Tab Groups

If saved tab groups continue to be unreliable, consider using bookmark folders as an alternative:

1. Create a New Folder: Right-click on the bookmarks bar and create a new folder for each tab group.
2. Bookmark All Tabs: Right-click within each tab group and select "Bookmark All Tabs". Save them to the corresponding folder.

This method allows you to quickly reopen entire groups by right-clicking the folder and selecting "Open All Bookmarks."

Community Insights and Bug Reports

Many Brave users have shared their experiences and potential solutions on the Brave Community forums. Regularly check these forums for updates and workarounds. If the issue persists, consider filing a bug report to help the Brave development team identify and resolve the problem.

Conclusion

Dealing with disappearing saved tab groups in Brave Browser can be frustrating. By systematically applying the troubleshooting steps and considering alternative solutions like bookmark folders, you can minimize data loss and improve your browsing experience. Stay informed about community insights and bug reports to remain updated on the latest fixes and workarounds.