On 29 August 2012, Tibi signed a three-year contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv, after long negotiations with Ironi Kiryat Shmona owner Izi Sheratzky about the release-clause in his contract. With arbitration advice, it appeared the €300,000 release-clause was valid and Tibi was allowed to join Maccabi. He made his debut for the club on 3 September 2012, in the first gameweek of the season, against Maccabi Netanya. His remarkable form in 2012–13 made Tibi a vital part in the middle of defense for Maccabi, together with Carlos García, and he was lined-up 34 times in the league. He scored his first goal for Maccabi on 2 March 2013 in an away match against Bnei Sakhnin. In that season he won his second consecutive championship title and his first one with Maccabi Tel Aviv. On 17 July 2013, he made his first appearance in a European match, in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League against Győri ETO FC. Maccabi eventually qualified to the Europa League.
In 2012 Tibi made his debut for the national team in a friendly match against Czech Republic. His form at his club, Maccabi Tel Aviv, has made him a first-team regular, playing steadily for the national team under the lead of Eli Guttman and maintaining good performances.