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Can we send back data from App to Chrome in previous opened Tab?

Can we send back data from App to Chrome in previous opened Tab?

As software developers, we often encounter interesting challenges that push the boundaries of what we thought was possible. One such question that may have crossed your mind is whether it is possible to send data back from an app to a previously opened tab in the Chrome browser. Let's dive into this topic and explore the possibilities.

When it comes to communication between an app and a browser tab, we typically rely on web technologies like HTTP requests, WebSocket, or even browser extensions. However, sending data back to a previous tab is not a straightforward task.

Imagine you have a web application running in a tab on your Chrome browser, and you want to send some data from a separate app back to that tab. Unfortunately, there is no direct way to achieve this. The web is designed with security in mind, and allowing arbitrary apps to send data to arbitrary tabs could lead to serious security vulnerabilities.

However, fear not! There are workarounds that can help you achieve a similar result. One approach is to use browser extensions. By creating a custom extension for Chrome, you can establish a communication channel between your app and the browser tab. The app can send data to the extension, which can then forward it to the desired tab. This method provides a level of security since the extension acts as a mediator.

Another approach involves using local storage or cookies. Your app can store the data in local storage or set a cookie with the required information. Then, when the user navigates back to the previous tab, the web application can retrieve the data from local storage or the cookie. While this method may not be suitable for real-time communication, it can be effective for passing small amounts of data.

It's important to note that these workarounds have their limitations. They require the user to have the necessary browser extension installed or rely on the user navigating back to the previous tab. Additionally, they may not be suitable for all use cases, especially those that require real-time or instantaneous communication.

So, while it may not be possible to directly send data back from an app to a previously opened tab in Chrome, there are alternative methods available. By leveraging browser extensions or utilizing local storage/cookies, you can achieve similar results and overcome this limitation.

Remember, as software developers, we love to push the boundaries of what's possible. So, even if the solution involves a few workarounds, it's always exciting to explore new ways to solve problems and find creative solutions!

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