iPad query re lost tabs. Basically my collection of tabs cleared itself...

[Hekate]

This has happened before, and all I could figure was that I might have accidentally hit something on the screen with my thumb that told it to clear. It’s really annoying, but I’m usually able to retrieve by googling.

This time, however, I was trying to catch up on my daily newspaper for the past 2 or 3 weeks, so over a dozen tabs were up. The e-version of the LA Times comes in my email, I click in the link, and get to read it online. BUT, I have to click every day and keep the tab open till I’m done. For reasons I don’t know, I can’t just go back to day before yesterday’s email link and get day before yesterday’s newspaper — it automatically reverts to today.

So an hour ago I did something that caused the whole damn thing (the tab bar) to clear. All I have left are today’s newspaper and DU. Did I inadvertently open a second window? If so, how do I undo, and find the window with all the tabs I’m not done with yet?

I feel stupid. But I’m also really hooked on the convenience of this pad — I can sit wherever I want, and (of increasing importance) I can blow up the font for readability.

Anyone have any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[RainCaster]

1. Use the way back site

It can show you how a news site appeared on a certain date.
https://archive.org/web/

[Hekate]

3. TY. I'll see how that works

[Hugh_Lebowski]

2. Try this maybe?

https://www.igeeksblog.com/disappearing-safari-tabs-on-iphone-ipad

[Hekate]

4. Okay, I'll explore this too

[AZSkiffyGeek]

5. Did you maybe click it over to private browsing?

I've done that a few times, switching back to regular view and everything was still there.

[Hekate]

7. I know I did that once, but maybe not this time. Aaargh. I'll double check.

[usonian]

6. Some ideas.

There's a very comprehensive article here here:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250002077
iPadOS - Safari - Lost Windows, Lost Tabs, Recovery

Things have gotten WAY complex.

I can't say any more because I use safari on ipad because "that's all there is" basically. Other browsers are required to use the same "engine" as Safari, so they don't differ much. I use Firefox and Opera and tor on computers instead. (hint to Apple, though I have heard that Apple is considering opening up ios to use other browser "engines&quot

Good luck.
In my "what's the simplest answer" mode, I am thinking of tabs synching with some other device. Another "feature" that many people might not be aware of. I don't do it.

This one is kind of scary. Hopefully it is fixed (but I don't always upgrade older devices to the latest software)
https://appletoolbox.com/how-to-recover-deleted-safari-tabs-in-ios-13-and-ipados/

Recently, Apple released an update to the iPad and iOS devices that has caused Safari tabs to be deleted. While there is a setting within the mobile browser to automatically delete tabs after a certain period of time, there are users that have been affected by this bug.

P.S. bug reports should have a bit more info, especially what version of software you are running, because that makes a big difference to online detectives.
Again, good luck.

[Hekate]

8. All I ever use is Safari. Oh my. But wait! Something happened when I double clicked to declutter

…the images of the solitaire games I was playing last night, and suddenly there was my original tab bar on the screen as well.

So maybe I did go over to Private. I wonder if I’ll ever be able to find this thread when I go back there.

Thank you for your answer. I’ll save the links.

Off to check things out.

[usonian]

10. You can bookmark the thread.

I have trouble finding my own posts. So, I often save my post, and/or the main thread they are in, as pdf's I can search on the computer.

[Hekate]

11. Same here!

[Hekate]

9. Fixed. Thank you all so very much for talking me down. ...