The Browser Company is shutting down Arc, ending the desktop browser’s run on December 22, 2026. Arc for macOS and Windows will stop working that day, Arc accounts will be deactivated, and the company says personal data associated with those accounts will be deleted within 30 days.
The retirement has already started. New Arc accounts have been unavailable since October 22. Mobile changes arrive November 23, when Arc Search loses its Browse for Me tool and other AI features on iOS and Android. Sign-in and tab syncing will also stop on that date.
Existing users therefore have a limited window to move their browsing setup. The Browser Company is steering people toward Dia, its newer AI-focused browser, but Arc also includes an export tool for users who prefer another replacement.
The Arc shutdown timeline
- October 22: New Arc account creation ended. Existing accounts and browser installations continue working for now.
- November 23: Arc Search on iOS and Android loses Browse for Me and other AI features. Users can no longer sign in or synchronize tabs.
- December 22: Arc stops working on macOS and Windows. Arc accounts are deactivated, services are turned off and associated personal data is scheduled for deletion within 30 days.
- December 22 on Android: Arc Search is removed from Google Play and from devices on which it is installed, according to the company.
Arc Search for iOS is the exception. The company says a lighter version will continue functioning as a basic mobile browser after AI features and account syncing end. That does not preserve the desktop Arc experience or cloud-synced tabs.
What happens to Arc data
The shutdown is not just the end of updates. The Browser Company says it will no longer be able to identify or retrieve Arc account data after December 22. Personal data connected to deactivated Arc accounts will be deleted within 30 days.
That makes December 22 a real migration deadline, not merely the date security support ends. Anyone who relies on Spaces, Pinned Tabs, Favorites or saved browsing history should move or export the material before the desktop apps stop opening.
People with both Arc and Dia accounts should note that the deletion applies to Arc account data. The company says it does not affect personal data associated with a separate Dia account.
Moving from Arc to Dia
Dia is the official successor and offers the most direct migration path. During Dia setup, users can select Arc as the source browser. The Browser Company says the transfer can include passwords, history, extensions, tabs, bookmarks, Favorites, Pinned Tabs, Spaces and Folders on macOS and Windows.
Some names change after the move. Arc Spaces become Dia Profiles, while Folders become Tab Groups. Dia can also display vertical tabs in a sidebar, preserving one of Arc’s most recognizable interface ideas. The company says browser features inherited from Arc remain free in Dia and that Dia’s AI functions are optional.
Existing Dia users can still import from Arc before December 22. On macOS, the option appears under Dia > Import from Another Browser in the menu bar. On Windows, users can open Dia’s app menu and select Import from another browser.
The company claims Dia now exceeds Arc in its own stability, speed and security benchmarks. Those are manufacturer claims rather than independent guarantees, and users should still evaluate whether Dia’s design, privacy terms and platform support meet their needs.
How to export Arc tabs for another browser
Users are not required to adopt Dia. The latest Arc version includes an export tool that creates a list of links, which can preserve open tabs and organized spaces before the shutdown.
On a Mac, open Arc > Settings, select Advanced, choose Export Data, and save the resulting file. On Windows, press Ctrl+, or open Arc’s menu, go to the Advanced section, select Export Spaces and tabs, and then choose Export Data.
Mobile users can also save open tabs. In Arc Search for iOS, open the Tab Switcher, choose Settings and select Export Data. On Android, open the Tab Switcher, go to Settings, select Storage and then Export data.
A tab export is not necessarily a complete browser migration. Before the deadline, users should separately confirm that their chosen replacement contains the bookmarks, saved passwords, extensions and history they expect. Keep the exported file somewhere accessible outside Arc and open it once to make sure it is readable.
Why The Browser Company is ending Arc
The company says maintaining a secure browser requires constant engineering work, with the burden increasing as AI systems become more capable. It is concentrating its engineering and security teams on Dia, which it says was built around current security standards.
Arc had already entered maintenance mode after active feature development stopped. The browser earned a dedicated following for vertical tabs, Spaces, Split View and an unconventional interface, but its creator decided to build a more AI-centered successor instead of continuing two browsers indefinitely.
The Verge and TechCrunch both reported that the closure follows The Browser Company’s shift toward Dia. TechCrunch also notes that the company has resisted calls to open-source Arc because proprietary technology used by Arc also underpins Dia.
What Arc users should do now
Do not wait until December 22 to make the move. Update Arc, export the data or tab lists you want to retain, test the files, and import them into a replacement browser while Arc still opens. Verify passwords, bookmarks, extensions and important pinned pages on the new browser rather than assuming every item transferred.
People who use Arc on multiple computers should repeat that verification on each device and confirm which information is local versus synchronized. Mobile users should export important tabs before November 23, when sign-in and syncing stop.
The full timeline, platform differences and migration instructions are available on Arc’s official farewell page. The practical takeaway is simple: Arc users have until December 22, but the safest time to preserve their setup is now.