UnloadTabs

Unload your tabs to free resources and prevents them from loading unintentionally
What is UnloadTabs?
UnloadTabs is an efficient Firefox add-on that not only allows users to free up resources by unloading unnecessary tabs, but also adds a context menu to unload the current loaded or other tabs. It averts loading tabs when the active tab shuts, offers shortcuts for navigation, and makes it clear which tabs are loaded through its unique grayed out features for unloaded tabs. It is also compatible with Tree Style Tab, Container Tabs, and Hidden Tabs.

Add-on stats

By: NiklasG
Users: 3,517 ▲ 6
Version: 0.8.5 (Last updated: 2019-09-06)
Creation date: 2016-06-10
Weekly download count: 47
Firefox on Android: No
Risk impact: Moderate risk impact
Risk likelihood: Low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 2
Permissions:
  • storage
  • menus
  • notifications
  • tabs
Size: 92.57K
URLs: Website

Other platforms

Not available on Chrome
Not available on Edge
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Add-on summary

Features:

  • adds a context menu entry to
    • unload the current loaded tab
    • unload all but the current tab
  • avoids loading tabs when the active tab is closed (see the installation notice for details)
  • adds shortcuts to jump to the next/previous loaded tab
    • the shortcut can be changed (in Firefox 60+)
  • compatible with
    • Tree Style Tab: adds context menus and styles to the sidebar (see options)
    • Container Tabs: unloaded tabs stay in the correct container
    • Hidden Tabs (e.g. Tab Groups): works only on currently visible tabs
  • makes clear which tabs are loaded by graying out unloaded tabs
    • this currently requires manual setup, see the installation notice
  • can be removed without leaving anything behind or closing unloaded tabs --> just try it
BUGS: Firefox' currently suffers from a number of bugs related to unloading tabs. Most notably, tabs may loose their icons or display as loading. Fixing that is Mozillas job. If you encounter any other problems, please report them as an issue or comment on an existing issue matching your problem. Please don't complain in a rating on the Add-ons download page. I can't respond to those.

Permissions used:

  • Display notifications: Only to report errors
  • Access browser tabs: This should be pretty obvious

User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Firefox Browser Add-ons does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Frees up memory and CPU by unloading tabs
  • Useful for lowering browser resources
  • Great solution while not implemented natively
Cons
  • Issues that break the browser
  • Does not support unloading multiple tabs
  • Causes wrong tab to be selected after closing tabs
Most mentioned
  • Frees up memory and CPU by unloading tabs
  • Issues that break the browser
  • Useful for lowering browser resources
Recent reviews
by Arash Yoosefdoost, 2024-11-18

Firefox has its own Tab Discard feature, if you dont have little RAM, dont use "Auto Tab Discard" or others. But this is really useful, mainly when having bad internet speeds
by firedoge, 2024-06-05
View all user reviews

Add-on safety

Risk impact

UnloadTabs requires a few sensitive permissions. Exercise caution before installing.

Risk likelihood

UnloadTabs has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.

Upgrade to see risk analysis details