Arc browser is shutting down on December 22: 6 best alternatives and how to move your data
The Browser Company will switch off Arc for Mac and Windows on December 22, 2026. Here is the full timeline, how to export your tabs and passwords, and the best browsers to switch to.
It’s official: Arc, the stylish browser loved for its sidebar tabs and Spaces, is shutting down. The Browser Company announced on October 22, 2026 that Arc for Mac and Windows will stop working on December 22, 2026. The company wants users to move to Dia, its newer AI-focused browser.
If you use Arc every day, you have about two months to move. This guide explains the timeline, how to save your data, and the best browsers to switch to.
Why is Arc shutting down?
This has been coming for a while. The Browser Company stopped building new features for Arc in May 2025, when CEO Josh Miller said that for most people, Arc was “simply too different, with too many new things to learn”. The company then focused on Dia. In September 2025, software giant Atlassian bought The Browser Company for $610 million.
Since then, Arc only received security updates. In its farewell message, the company says Dia is built to meet today’s security standards and that its priority is “best-in-class security” for members.
The full shutdown timeline
- October 22, 2026: No new Arc accounts can be created. Nothing changes yet for existing users.
- November 23, 2026: On iPhone and Android, Browse for Me and other AI features turn off in Arc Search. Sign-in and tab sync end, but it still works as a simple browser.
- December 22, 2026: Arc stops working on Mac and Windows, accounts are closed, and Arc Search for Android is removed from Google Play. Personal data is deleted within 30 days.
After December 22, The Browser Company says it can no longer recover your data, so export it before then.
How to export your Arc data (do this now)
Even if you’re not sure where you’re moving, save a copy of your data first:
- Mac: Arc → Settings → Advanced → Export Data
- Windows: press
Ctrl + ,→ Advanced → Export Spaces and tabs → Export Data - Arc Search on iPhone: Tab Switcher → Settings → Export Data
- Arc Search on Android: Tab Switcher → Settings → Storage → Export data
The export saves your tabs as a list of links. If you uninstalled Arc a while ago, you can reinstall it and export before December 22.
Passwords: Arc is built on Chromium (the same base as Chrome), so most browsers, including Edge, Vivaldi and Opera, can import passwords, bookmarks and history straight from Arc during setup. If you use a password manager such as 1Password or Bitwarden, your passwords are already safe there.
The 6 best Arc alternatives
1. Dia (the official successor)
Best for: people who want the easiest move. Dia is made by the same team and can import almost everything from Arc: passwords, history, tabs, bookmarks, extensions, Profiles (formerly Spaces), Folders (now Tab Groups), Pinned Tabs and Favorites. Sidebar tabs and Split View carry over too. The browser features are free, and the AI assistant is optional.
How to move: during Dia sign-up, choose Arc as the browser to import from. If Dia is already installed, use Dia → Import from Another Browser on Mac, or the Dia app menu on Windows.
2. Zen Browser
Best for: people who want Arc’s look without big tech. Zen is a free, open-source browser based on Firefox. It has vertical sidebar tabs, workspaces and split view, so it feels a lot like Arc. It’s popular with former Arc users who care about privacy.
3. Vivaldi
Best for: power users. Vivaldi is built on Chromium, so Chrome extensions work. It offers vertical tabs, tab stacks, workspaces, split-screen tiling and lots of customization. It runs on Mac, Windows, Linux and phones.
4. Microsoft Edge
Best for: Windows users and work laptops. Edge has built-in vertical tabs, workspaces and Chrome extension support. It also syncs well with Microsoft 365.
5. Firefox
Best for: privacy and independence. Firefox now has vertical tabs and tab groups, and it isn’t built on Chromium. It’s a good choice if you don’t want to depend on Google’s browser engine.
6. Opera
Best for: built-in extras. Opera includes a sidebar with messaging apps, workspaces, a free VPN and its own AI assistant. It’s based on Chromium, so importing from Arc is simple.
Which one should you choose?
- Want everything to feel the same? Choose Dia.
- Want Arc’s style but more privacy? Choose Zen.
- Want maximum control? Choose Vivaldi.
- Use Windows and Microsoft 365? Choose Edge.
Frequently asked questions
When exactly does Arc stop working?
Arc for Mac and Windows stops working on December 22, 2026. AI features in Arc Search on phones end earlier, on November 23, 2026.
Will I lose my tabs and passwords?
Only if you don’t move them. Export your data or import it into another browser before December 22. After that, accounts are closed and data is deleted within 30 days.
Is Dia free?
Yes. The Browser Company says Dia’s browser features are free and its AI features are optional.
Can I keep using Arc after December 22?
No. The company says Arc stops working on Mac and Windows on that date. Even if it still opened, using a browser without security updates would be risky.
What about Arc Search on iPhone?
After November 23, Arc Search on iPhone stays as a “lite” browser without AI features, sign-in or sync. On Android, the app is removed on December 22.
