Multiple Tab Support

BF Browser supports multiple tabs, allowing users to have several web pages open simultaneously within a single browser session. Tabs can be created, switched between, and closed independently, providing a familiar desktop-like browsing experience on mobile devices.

Multipe-tab support is available in BF Browser version 2.6.0 and higher.

Overview

When multiple tab support is enabled, users can:

• Open multiple web pages in separate tabs (up to a configurable maximum)

• Switch between tabs using the tab bar at the top of the screen

• Close individual tabs or all tabs at once

• Have tabs automatically restored when the app restarts

• Experience memory-efficient tab management with automatic suspension of inactive tabs

Multiple tab support is disabled by default to maintain backward compatibility. You must explicitly enable it via configuration to use this feature.

Configuring Multiple Tab Support

Basic Configuration

To enable multiple tab support, add the following configuration to your Browser settings:

{ 
   "enableTabs": true 
} 

Advanced Configuration

You can customize the tab behavior with additional settings:

{ 
   "enableTabs": true, 
   "maxTabCount": "10", 
   "maxTabsInMemory": "5", 
   "showTabBar": true, 
   "toolbarColor": "#0060A8" 
} 

Configuration Options:

Setting	Type	Default	Description
enableTabs	Boolean	false	Enable or disable multiple tab support
maxTabCount	String	10	Maximum number of tabs that can be open simultaneously
maxTabsInMemory	String	5	Maximum number of WebViews kept in memory (others are suspended)
showTabBar	Boolean	true	Show or hide the tab bar when tabs are enabled
toolbarColor	String	"#0060A8"	Color of the tab bar and toolbar (hex color code)

The maxTabsInMemory setting controls memory usage. When the number of inactive tabs exceeds this limit, older tabs are suspended (their WebView is destroyed but state is preserved) and automatically restored when switched to again.

User Interface

Tab Bar

When multiple tab support is enabled, a tab bar appears at the top of the screen (above the URL toolbar):

• Tab Items: Show the page title and favicon for each tab

• New Tab Button (+): Creates a new blank tab (only visible when allowUrlEdit is enabled)

• Close Button (X): Closes individual tabs

• Scrolling: The tab bar scrolls horizontally when many tabs are open

Tab Behavior •

• Creating Tabs:

  • Tap the "+" button to create a new tab

  • JavaScript calls to window.open('url', '_blank') automatically create new tabs

  • Links with target="_blank" open in new tabs

• Switching Tabs:

  • Tap any tab in the tab bar to switch to it

• Closing Tabs:

  • Tap the "X" button on a tab to close it

  • If the last tab is closed, the app exits (matching the back button behavior)

• Maximum Tabs:

  • When maxTabCount is reached, attempting to create a new tab will show a toast message

Tabs are automatically closed when the device receives a CLEAR_COOKIES broadcast (typically used on shared devices for user privacy).

Shortcut Specific Configuration

You can opt to enable tabs (similar to other browser settings) at a shortcut level using browser overrides.

{
    "layouts" : {
         "AppGroup" : [      
            {
                "label": "Fiori",
                "url": "https://acme.fiori.com",
                "browser": "com.bluefletch.ems.emm.browser",
                "browserOverrides": {
                    "enableTabs" : true,
                    "toolbarColor" : "#323FD9"
                }   
                
            },
            {   
                "label": "Full Browser",
                "url": "https://google.com",
                "browser": "com.bluefletch.ems.emm.browser",
                "browserOverrides": {
                    "enableEmsApi" : true,
                    "enableTabs" : true,
                    "allowUrlEdit" : true,
                    "toolbarColor" : "#0A3394"
                }   
                
            },  
            {   
                "label": "ServiceNow",
                "url": "https://account.servicenow.com/sign-in",
                "browser": "com.bluefletch.ems.browser"
            }
        ]       
    }
}

In the above layout example:

• The Fiori shortcut will allow opening of multiple tabs

• The Full Browser shortcut will open to google.com, and allow the user to start new tabs and enter a URL, similar to a regular browser experience.

• The Service Now shortcut will open in full page, and tabs will not be used. If the page attempts to open a tab, it will replace the current page.