Arc Browser Shutting Down: Arc, the browser that won a devoted following for its sidebar tabs and clever Spaces, is shutting down. The Browser Company announced on 22 October 2026 that Arc will be “sunset” on 22 December 2026. After that date, Arc for Mac and Windows will stop working, accounts will be closed, and the data tied to them will be deleted.
If Arc is your daily browser, you have about two months to move your tabs, passwords and bookmarks somewhere else. This guide walks you through the key dates, what happens on each one, and how to switch without losing anything important.
Why is Arc shutting down?
The Browser Company says the main reason is security. In its help centre, the company explains that keeping a browser safe has become harder in the age of AI, and that it can no longer keep Arc as secure as it needs to be. Its security team is now focused on Dia, the company’s newer, AI-focused browser, which it says was built from the ground up for modern threats.
This has been coming for a while. As The Verge notes, new feature development on Arc ended in 2025, when the company shifted its attention to Dia. The Browser Company was also acquired by Atlassian for $610 million last year, according to both The Verge and TechCrunch.
Many fans have asked for Arc to be open-sourced instead. TechCrunch reports that CEO Josh Miller has previously explained why that is difficult: Arc runs on the company’s internal Arc Development Kit (ADK), which also powers Dia, so releasing Arc’s code would mean giving away a core part of Dia.
Arc shutdown: the key dates
The wind-down happens in stages.
22 October 2026: no new accounts
From the day of the announcement, nobody can create a new Arc account. If you already use Arc, it keeps working as normal for now, and it will keep getting basic updates and fixes, but no new features.
23 November 2026: mobile AI features and sync switch off
Arc Search for iOS and Android keeps working as a basic browser, but its AI features turn off, including Browse for Me. You also can no longer sign in or sync with Arc. On Mac and Windows, Arc starts showing reminders about the shutdown.
15 December 2026: last day for data requests
This is the final day to ask The Browser Company for a copy of the personal data linked to your Arc account, or to ask it to delete that data. Note that this copy covers account details and usage records. It does not include browsing data stored on your device, such as history or passwords, because the company does not have access to it.
22 December 2026: Arc stops working
On this date:
- Arc for Mac and Windows stops working and you can no longer sign in.
- All Arc accounts are deactivated and Arc services are switched off.
- Personal data linked to deactivated accounts is deleted within 30 days.
- Arc Search for Android is removed from the Google Play Store and from devices it is installed on.
- Arc Search for iOS continues to work as a mobile browser.
The most important point is this: after 22 December you will not be able to open Arc to reach your Spaces, tabs or other browsing data. Anything you want to keep needs to be moved before then.
Option 1: move from Arc to Dia
The Browser Company’s recommended path is Dia, which is free for Mac and Windows and made by the same team. It keeps many of Arc’s best ideas, including the sidebar, pinned tabs, folders and the Tab Switcher.
How to import Arc into Dia
- Download Dia from diabrowser.com/download and open it.
- When Dia asks which browser you want to import from, choose Arc.
- Pick which of your extensions you want to install in Dia.
If you already use Dia, you can still import later. On a Mac, go to Dia > Import from Another Browser in the menu bar and pick Arc. On Windows, open the Dia app menu, choose Import from another browser and select Arc.
Two practical tips from Arc’s help centre: keep Arc installed until the import finishes, because Dia finds your data through the Arc app, and on Windows quit Arc before you start. If Arc is still open, Dia shows a “Cookies file locked” message, and you can select Close to let Dia shut Arc and carry on.
What comes over, and what does not
According to The Browser Company, Dia brings across your bookmarks, history, passwords, cookies (so you stay signed in to sites), extensions and open tabs. Your Spaces become Profiles, Favorites become icon-only pinned tabs, pinned tabs stay pinned, and folders become pinned Tab Groups.
A few things will not make the trip. Easels, Boosts and other Arc-only features are not supported, and Dia does not import saved payment methods or autofill data from any browser.
Importing does not change or delete anything in Arc, so you can test Dia and keep using Arc side by side until December.
Option 2: switch to another browser
Dia is not for everyone, especially if you are not keen on AI features, although TechCrunch reports that AI is optional in Dia. If you would rather go elsewhere, there are plenty of choices. The Verge notes that Zen, a browser built on Mozilla’s Gecko engine, is often recommended to people who want an Arc-like experience.
If you are not moving to Dia, Arc’s help centre says you can save your Spaces and tabs as a list of links before 22 December. Once you have chosen a new browser, check whether its import tool can read your Arc data directly, and confirm that your passwords have come across before you uninstall anything.
Whichever browser you choose, take five minutes to review its privacy settings and extensions. Our guide to using the ChatGPT Chrome extension safely has useful tips on checking extension permissions.
What about Arc Search on your phone?
On iPhone, Arc Search keeps working as a basic browser even after December, but without AI or sync from 23 November. To keep a list of your open tabs, tap the Tab Switcher icon in the bottom-left corner, tap Settings, then Export Data.
On Android, the app disappears on 22 December. Before then, go to Settings, then Storage, then Export data to share or copy a list of your open tabs.
A simple checklist before 22 December
- Decide on your new browser this month, not in the final week.
- Run the import while Arc is still installed and working.
- Check that your passwords, bookmarks and pinned tabs arrived safely.
- Request a copy of your Arc account data by 15 December if you want it.
- Export your mobile tab lists before 23 November if you rely on sync.
For a good summary of the shutdown and reaction to it, TechCrunch’s report on the Arc sunset is worth a read.
FAQ
When is Arc browser shutting down?
Arc for Mac and Windows stops working on 22 December 2026, when all Arc accounts are deactivated.
Can I still download Arc or make a new account?
No. New Arc accounts could no longer be created from 22 October 2026.
Will my passwords transfer to Dia?
Yes. Dia imports passwords, bookmarks, history, cookies, extensions and open tabs from Arc. Saved payment methods and autofill data are not imported.
What happens to my Arc data after 22 December?
Accounts are deactivated, and personal data linked to them is deleted within 30 days. You will not be able to open Arc to reach local data either.
Is Dia free?
Yes. Dia is free to download for Mac and Windows.
