Google iOS App: Open Multiple Pages From Search Results

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Yes, the Google app for iOS now lets you open multiple pages from search results at once, using a long-press gesture on a link to add it to a reading list or open it in a background tab. This feature, available in the Google app (not the Safari browser), lets you queue up several results before you start reading, so you don’t have to go back and forth between the search list and each page. This article explains exactly how it works, what the limitations are, and how to get the most out of it.

Background: Why This Feature Exists

For years, mobile search was a one-tap-at-a-time experience: tap a result, read it, hit back, tap the next one. If you were researching a topic with ten promising links, you’d spend half your time navigating back and forth. Google’s iOS app (the standalone app, not the Google search in Safari) has gradually added features to make this smoother. The “open multiple pages� capability is part of that push, giving you a way to pre-load results in the background so they’re ready when you are.

It’s similar to the “open in new tab� feature in desktop browsers, but adapted for a touch interface. On a phone, you can’t easily right-click, so Google uses a long press (press and hold) to bring up a context menu with options like “Open in new tab� or “Add to reading list.�

How It Works: The Long-Press Menu

To open multiple pages from search results in the Google iOS app:

Open the Google app on your iPhone or iPad.
Perform a search as you normally would.
Find a result you want to read later, but don’t tap it yet.
Press and hold on the result’s title or link (not the thumbnail).
A menu will appear with options like “Open in new tab,� “Open in background,� “Add to reading list,� or “Copy link.�
Choose “Open in new tab� or “Open in background� to queue it up.
Repeat for other results you want to open.
When you’re ready, tap the tab icon (usually a square with a number) at the top of the search screen to see all your open tabs, then tap one to read it.

The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your iOS version and the Google app version, but the general flow is the same. If you don’t see these options, make sure your Google app is updated to the latest version from the App Store.

How to Choose: New Tab vs. Background vs. Reading List

When you long-press a result, you’ll see a few choices. Here’s what each does:

Open in new tab: This opens the page in a new tab immediately, and you’ll be taken to that tab. It’s useful if you want to start reading right away but want to keep the search results open for later.
Open in background: This opens the page in a new tab but keeps you on the search results screen. You can queue up several pages this way, and they’ll load in the background. This is the best option for multi-page research.
Add to reading list: This saves the page to your Safari Reading List (if you have that enabled) or to a Google app reading list, so you can read it later, even offline. It doesn’t open a tab at all.
Copy link: This copies the URL to your clipboard, so you can paste it into an email, note, or another app.

For most people, “Open in background� is the most useful for the “open multiple pages� goal, because it lets you build a queue without leaving the search results.

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

If the long-press menu isn’t working or you don’t see the “Open in new tab� option, try these fixes:

Update the Google app: Go to the App Store, search for Google, and tap “Update� if available. Older versions may not have the feature.
Check your iOS version: The feature requires iOS 13 or later (for the long-press context menu). If you’re on an older iOS, you may not get the full menu.
Try a different spot: Sometimes long-pressing on a thumbnail or a sub-link (like a site’s name) doesn’t trigger the menu. Long-press directly on the blue title text.
Restart the app: Close the Google app completely (swipe it away from the app switcher) and reopen it. This often clears temporary glitches.
Check your settings: In the Google app, go to Settings > General, and make sure “Open links in app� is enabled for some options, though this doesn’t directly affect the long-press menu.

If none of these work, the feature might be rolled out gradually to some users. Google often does staged rollouts, so you may need to wait a few days or weeks for it to appear on your device.

Comparison: Google App vs. Safari vs. Chrome

On iOS, you have several ways to browse search results:

Google app: Gives you the long-press menu to open multiple tabs, plus a built-in browser for viewing results. It’s the only place where this specific multi-tab search flow works natively.
Safari: When you search on Google in Safari, you can also long-press a link to get “Open in New Tab� or “Add to Reading List,� but the search results themselves are not in a dedicated app. You have to manage tabs in Safari’s tab view. It works, but it’s less integrated.
Chrome for iOS: Chrome has its own tab management, and you can long-press to open in a new tab, but it’s not tied to the Google search app. You’d have to switch between Chrome and the Google app.

In practice, the Google app’s advantage is that it combines search and browsing in one place, so you don’t have to switch apps. But if you prefer Safari or Chrome, you can still achieve the same effect with a long press, just with a slightly different interface.

Costs and Safety

The Google app is free to download and use. There are no in-app purchases or subscription fees for this feature. It’s part of the standard app functionality.

As for safety, the long-press menu itself is safe—it just opens links. However, be aware that opening multiple pages in the background can use more data and battery, since the pages load even if you don’t read them. If you’re on a limited data plan, you might want to use “Add to reading list� instead, which saves the page for later without loading it fully in the background.

Also, as with any search result, be cautious about which links you open. The Google app will show you the URL, but it’s still possible to land on a malicious site. Stick to well-known sources, and don’t enter personal information on pages you’re not sure about.

Alternatives and Tips

If you don’t want to use the Google app at all, here are a few alternatives:

Use Safari’s “Add to Reading List� for each result. You can do this by long-pressing a link and selecting “Add to Reading List.� Then, when you’re ready, open the Reading List (bookmark icon, then the glasses icon) and read all your saved pages.
Use a third-party browser like Firefox or Edge that has built-in tab management. They all support long-press to open in new tabs.
Use “Open in Background� in Chrome if you have it installed, then switch to Chrome to read them.

One tip: if you’re doing a deep research session, try using the “Open in background� option for the first few results, then read them in order. This way, you don’t have to keep going back to the search page. You can also swipe left on a tab in the tab view to close it quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this work on iPad too?

Yes, the Google app on iPad has the same long-press menu, and you can open multiple tabs. The interface is slightly different (tabs are shown in a bar at the top), but the functionality is the same.

Can I open multiple pages from the Google app in Safari?

No, the Google app’s tabs are separate from Safari’s tabs. When you open a link in the Google app, it opens in the app’s built-in browser. If you want to open in Safari, you can tap the share icon and choose “Open in Safari,� but that will only open the current page, not all your queued tabs.

Why don’t I see the “Open in new tab� option when I long-press?

This can happen if you’re pressing on a part of the result that isn’t a link (like the site’s name or a thumbnail). Try pressing directly on the blue title text. Also, make sure your app is updated, and if it still doesn’t work, try restarting the app or your phone.

Does this use more battery or data?

Yes, opening pages in the background uses both data and battery, because the pages are loading even while you’re still on the search screen. If you’re concerned, use “Add to reading list� instead, which saves the page without fully loading it (though it may still download a copy for offline reading).

Can I reorder the tabs I’ve opened?

In the Google app’s tab view, you can’t reorder tabs manually—they appear in the order you opened them. You can close them by swiping left or tapping the X. Safari and Chrome allow more tab management, but the Google app keeps it simple.

Is this feature available on Android?

Yes, the Google app on Android has a similar feature, but the long-press menu may look different. On Android, you can long-press a link to get “Open in new tab� or “Open in incognito tab.� The process is essentially the same.

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