Chrome itself does not offer a clean built-in import this tab session backup workflow. Import is usually part of a session manager or tab backup tool.
DockTabs supports JSON import so you can bring saved sessions back into a local-first recovery workflow.
When tab session import is useful
Import is useful when you want to:
- Recover a previously exported session
- Move a saved setup back into Chrome
- Restore work after cleanup or loss
- Bring a backup file into Session Manager again
Import is strongest when it is paired with export and restore.
Why Chrome does not really have native session import
Chrome gives you history, recently closed tabs, and bookmarks. Those are helpful, but none of them works like importing a saved browser session and continuing from there.
What to prepare before importing
Before you import:
- Make sure you still have the exported backup file
- Confirm it is the right session backup
- Decide whether you want full restore or selective recovery
- Keep a copy of the file before modifying anything
How DockTabs imports a session backup
With DockTabs, the flow is straightforward:
- Open Session Manager
- Choose Import
- Select the JSON backup file
- Bring the saved session back into DockTabs
- Restore the full session, one window, or one tab as needed
Import vs restore vs sync
These are different jobs. Import brings a backup file into DockTabs. Restore reopens tabs from a saved session. Sync keeps sessions available across devices for Pro users. The value is having save, export, import, and restore connected in one flow.
FAQ
Not in a dedicated session-backup way. Native Chrome tools do not provide a clean session import flow.
DockTabs imports JSON session backup files.
Yes. After import, DockTabs can restore a full session, one window, or one tab.
No. Import is part of the free local workflow.
Bring saved sessions back when you need them.
DockTabs gives Chrome a local-first import and restore workflow, with optional Pro sync only when multi-device access matters.