# Tab session manager no longer imports stored json session files + deletes all autosaved sessions **URL:** \ **Category:** Brave Browser\ **Tags:** windows, feedback, browser\ **Created:** [March 31, 2026, 7:23am UTC](https://community.brave.app/t/tab-session-manager-no-longer-imports-stored-json-session-files-deletes-all-autosaved-sessions/651229 "2026-03-31T07:23:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![OlafDeWit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brave/user_avatar/community.brave.app/olafdewit/32/202373_2.png) [@OlafDeWit](https://community.brave.app/u/OlafDeWit)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 7:23am UTC](https://community.brave.app/t/tab-session-manager-no-longer-imports-stored-json-session-files-deletes-all-autosaved-sessions/651229/1 "2026-03-31T07:23:10Z")
\*\*Last year or so I had installed the Tab Session manager extension. Since last week, 1. all the auto-save sessions that were stored in the TSM extension drop-down list have disappeared. 2. when I try to import an exported session in json format, it gives me the message “session imported” but the session does NOT appear in the list. I have browsed the Internet to try and solve this problem, and this issue was reported on > > > \## Short description > Importing a session from JSON shows “Sessions imported” but… the session never appears in the list. > > \## Steps to reproduce > 1. Start Chrome > 2. Click the extension icon → \*\*Settings\*\* → \*\*Sessions\*\* → \*\*Import Sessions\*\* (Browse), and select a valid session JSON file. > 3. Observe the “Sessions imported” toast, then return to the main Tab Session Manager window. > > \## Expected result > The imported session should appear immediately in the session list and be available for restore. > > \## Actual result > A “Sessions imported” toast appears, but no new session is listed. > > \## Platform information > \* Platform (OS): Windows 11 > \* Version of browser: Chrome 138.0.7204.50 (Official Build) (64-bit) > \* Version of Tab Session Manager: 7.1.0 > > \## Additional context > \* JSON files were exported from another Chrome (v.137) profile using Tab Session Manager 7.1.0. > \* Re-installing the extension and clearing its data did not resolve the problem. > > Screenshots, step by step: > > !\[Image\](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a19823f6-db08-41b9-b5fd-f36ae132a4d4) > > !\[Image\](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/5a3b1e3e-b553-4609-9e15-a4a586b93c6e) > > !\[Image\](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/4ef4f168-4aff-426c-b267-971c337f5cec) > > !\[Image\](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/5c52e7ce-3be0-4e23-ad2f-f42f9f7bc574) Alas, on GitHub the suggested solution only applies to Mozilla Firefox. Curiously enough, I also have the TSM extension installed on Firefox, but in my case, the problem does NOT occur there : in works normally in Firefox. Since last week, I am on Brave 1.88.136 (Official Build) (64-bit) and everything worked fine up until last week. Does anyone have any suggestions how to solve this ? ---
**Author:** ![289wk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/439d5e/32.png) [@289wk](https://community.brave.app/u/289wk)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 7:35am UTC](https://community.brave.app/t/tab-session-manager-no-longer-imports-stored-json-session-files-deletes-all-autosaved-sessions/651229/2 "2026-03-31T07:35:22Z")
@OlafDeWit There have been several reports of _different_ Brave Browser disturbances related to the latest update to BB version 1.88.136. I am using a Mac, and I was surprised to encounter routine pop-ups prompting website password saving by Brave Browser Password Manager. I have never used that BBPM? Yet, I managed to find the settings where I could disable the prompt. Moral of the story, the latest Brave Browser update seems to have at least “brushed up against” and “left signs of paint scraping, along the sides” of Brave Browser settings. Re your issue, I would disable all extensions, remove them, and then do as much housecleaning (cookies, cache, history, etc.) that you can. Exit / Quit everything and restart the computer. And then … > **Extensions Tests:** > > - test by disabling all extensions > - test by enabling each extension individually > - test by uninstalling all extensions > - test by installing each extension individually > - test combinations of extensions > - test order of installation of extensions ---
**Author:** ![OlafDeWit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brave/user_avatar/community.brave.app/olafdewit/32/202373_2.png) [@OlafDeWit](https://community.brave.app/u/OlafDeWit)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 10:38am UTC](https://community.brave.app/t/tab-session-manager-no-longer-imports-stored-json-session-files-deletes-all-autosaved-sessions/651229/3 "2026-03-31T10:38:04Z")
I also forgot to mention that the extension no longer auto-saves sessions, either. With regards to cleaning caches, cookies and history and the like, I basically do this all the time, either by manually cleaning these before Brave shutdown or by automatic clean at shutdown. + I also use apps like Ccleaner, Bleachbit & Wise Disk Cleaner to do stuff like that, and this has never presented me with this problem before. (neither in Firefox nor Brave) When I use these apps, I am also very careful NOT to delete sessions in either browser. ---
**Author:** ![289wk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/439d5e/32.png) [@289wk](https://community.brave.app/u/289wk)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 10:14pm UTC](https://community.brave.app/t/tab-session-manager-no-longer-imports-stored-json-session-files-deletes-all-autosaved-sessions/651229/4 "2026-03-31T22:14:52Z")
@OlafDeWit BB user’s _PROFILE_ data, within a BB user’s profile folder (`Default` folder, Windows OS example): - `%LOCALAPPDATA%\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data\Default` The following list of items, are known for being replaceable - BUT NO GUARANTEE OF SUCCESS: - Bookmarks [JSON file] - History [SQLite file] - Login Data [passwords, SQLite file] - Preferences [majority of browser settings, JSON file] - - Sessions [folder ← do not copy] - [but you can copy the Sessions and Tabs files:] - Session file example: “Session\_13387619522050810” [SNSS file] - Tabs file example: “Tabs\_13396004968468207” [SNSS file] - - Top Sites [saved tiles on new tab page, SQLite file] - Visited Links [binary file] - Web Data [autofill data, SQLite file] > **NOTES about all that...** > > NOTICE: Lots of info about Session [SNSS] files: ‘[https://digitalinvestigation.wordpress.com/tag/snss/](https://digitalinvestigation.wordpress.com/tag/snss/)’ > > NOTICE: Re `Session_13387619522050810` ← the long string of numbers are a date-and-time stamp. On a MacOS computer, the following command (`date -r 13387619522050810`) will reveal: `Thu Apr 6 12:40:10 EST 424238744` > > NOTICE: View SQLite files by using `DB Browser for SQLite` [Link](https://sqlitebrowser.org/) > > NOTICE: View JSON files by using `Visual Studio Code` [Link](https://code.visualstudio.com/Download) > > NOTICE: View certain Chromium LevelDB databases, by using `LevelDB Viewer` [(GitHub](https://github.com/arkantos1482/leveldb-viewer)) > > NOTICE: A `Profile 1` folder, _for example_, cannot be replaced by a profile folder of another name (such as `Profile 2`). Same for the other BB user profile folders. **DO NOT CHANGE** the BB user’s profile folders names. > > NOTICE: The most durable files, are `Bookmarks`, `Bookmarks.bak`. They can be copied between the BB user profile folders. > > FILE AND FOLDER PERMISSIONS: See > > - `https://community.brave.com/t/browser-wont-launch-after-install/606342/18` > - `https://community.brave.com/t/brave-doesnt-start-when-i-run-it-as-administrator-and-brave-shield-doesnt-work/628494/41` My consolidated notes re data loss that include info re maintaining data backups: ‘[Brave deleted all my active tabs and favorites - #2 by 289wk](https://community.brave.app/t/brave-deleted-all-my-active-tabs-and-favorites/646661/2)’ Because, best opportunity for swapping files, is within a Brave Browser version existance - date range envelope. Lately, such date range envelopes, have been very short. ---
**Author:** ![OlafDeWit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brave/user_avatar/community.brave.app/olafdewit/32/202373_2.png) [@OlafDeWit](https://community.brave.app/u/OlafDeWit)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 7:24am UTC](https://community.brave.app/t/tab-session-manager-no-longer-imports-stored-json-session-files-deletes-all-autosaved-sessions/651229/5 "2026-04-01T07:24:17Z")
Many thanks for the useful info. I am going to be looking into this at a later stage. I was also wondering if inadvertently deleting crx caches can influence an extension in a negative way. When I use the apps I mentioned above I have **never** deleted any (extension) cookies but **always** deleted crx caches, which has **never** broken an extension, as far as I know. Or has this something to do with **IndexedDB** databases ? Google AI seems to suggest so Tab Session Manager does not use a “CRX cache” (a cache for the extension file itself). Instead, it stores session data—windows, tabs, and URLs—primarily in the browser’s **IndexedDB** database. This storage mechanism allows for robust, structured data storage that can be synced with Google Drive ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/brave/original/3X/1/8/182067f3480d1a5e7aea5ae3131b116ca1ef7918.png) [@system](https://community.brave.app/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2026, 7:25am UTC](https://community.brave.app/t/tab-session-manager-no-longer-imports-stored-json-session-files-deletes-all-autosaved-sessions/651229/6 "2026-05-31T07:25:10Z")
Closed on May 31, 2026, 7:25am UTC This topic was automatically closed 60 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.