Arc browser is shutting down on Dec. 22, 2026. The Browser Company's farewell page says Arc stops working on macOS and Windows that day and sign-in ends. Until then it keeps working and gets basic updates. The company points Arc users to Dia, its other browser.

Key dates

The Browser Company's timeline, as of Oct. 22, 2026:

  • Oct. 22: new Arc accounts can no longer be created.
  • Nov. 23: on iOS and Android, Browse for Me and other AI features are disabled. Arc Search keeps working as a browser, but sign-in and tab sync end.
  • Dec. 22: Arc stops working on macOS and Windows, and accounts are deactivated. Arc Search for Android is pulled from Google Play.

The company says personal data is deleted within 30 days of deactivation, and that it can no longer retrieve Arc user data for data requests after Dec. 22.

The page gives security as the reason: "Keeping a browser secure takes constant, dedicated work that is only increasing in the age of AI." It does not say what happens to Arc Search for iOS on Dec. 22, and it does not say whether Dia has an iOS app.

Move your tabs and passwords

Do these in order before Dec. 22, using the steps on Arc's farewell page:

  1. Export (optional for Dia). Arc says Dia movers need not export first, but a backup is cheap. On a Mac, open Arc > Settings > Advanced > Export Data and pick a save location. On Windows, press Ctrl+, to open Settings, then Advanced > Export Data. In Arc Search on iPhone, use Settings > Export Open Tabs.
  2. Import into Dia. New Dia users choose Arc as the source during sign-up. If Dia is already installed, use Dia > Import from Another Browser on a Mac, or the Dia app menu > Import from another browser on Windows.
  3. Check what arrived. Arc says passwords, bookmarks, extensions and history come over. Spaces, Folders and Tab Groups import with their data intact, and pinned tabs and favorites keep their custom names.

Dia is free to download for macOS and Windows, and Arc says the browser features you use in Arc are free in Dia and the AI is optional.

For saved logins you would rather not leave in a browser, see how to set up passkeys on iPhone and Android.

Which browser fits you

Our picks are based on each vendor's own documentation and our research.

  • Want the closest move: Dia. Arc's page documents an import into Dia, including Arc as a source at sign-up, and points Arc users there. Dia's site lists macOS and Windows.
  • Want vertical tabs in a mainstream browser: Chrome. Chrome Help says to right-click the tab strip and choose Show Tabs Vertically. Its tab groups sync across devices signed in to the same Google Account. If you switch, see the new Chrome warning for suspicious sites too.
  • Want free workspaces and split view: Zen. The Zen manual describes workspaces for organizing tabs by project and a split view of up to four tabs. Zen's site lists it as free and open-source, and its download page lists macOS, Windows and Linux.
  • Want to tweak everything: Vivaldi. Vivaldi's help page says Settings > Tabs > Tab Bar Position moves the tab bar to the left or right. Its features page lists workspaces, tab stacks and tab tiling.
  • Mac or iPhone only, minimal change: Safari. Apple's support page says profiles arrived in Safari 17 and each keeps its own history, extensions, Tab Groups and favorites.

Why it matters

Arc's page documents an import only into Dia, and Dia's site lists macOS and Windows. Export before Dec. 22: after that, the company says it cannot retrieve Arc data.