Safari tabs disappear after closing Split Screen.

Hello dcvend,

It looks like there's an update available for your iPad. Go ahead and update your device to the latest version of iPadOS and see if the issue continues. Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

If so, be sure that you're following the steps to leave Split View here: How to split screen in Safari on your iPad

Cheers!

You may find this article to be helpful in understanding some of the frequent difficulties encountered by users new to iPadOS Safari - along with some of Safari’s more esoteric features and quirks:

iPadOS - Safari - Lost Windows, Lost Tabs… - Apple Community

Insofar as possible, I hope to have distilled most of the frequent problems reported here - and documented procedures, strategies [and where needed] some useful workarounds.

I that you find this to be helpful in resolving any issues that you may be experiencing.

dcvend,

If everything is up to date and you're leaving Split View based on the steps in the shared article, the next step would be to Contact Official Apple Support

Cheers!