The Arc browser shutdown is official: The Browser Company will switch Arc off for good on December 22, 2026. If Arc is your daily browser on Mac or Windows, you have about two months to move your stuff somewhere safe. The company wants you to jump to its newer AI browser, Dia, but you have other options.
Here’s the short version of what you need to know.
- Announced October 22, 2026. New Arc accounts are already closed.
- Arc on iOS and Android loses its AI features on November 23.
- Arc stops working on Mac and Windows on December 22.
- Accounts are deactivated, and personal data is deleted within 30 days.
Those dates come from TechCrunch, which covered the announcement the same day.
Arc browser shutdown timeline: three dates to remember
The shutdown happens in stages, so you won’t lose everything at once. Mobile goes first, desktop last.
| Date | What changes |
|---|---|
| October 22, 2026 | Announcement day. You can no longer create new Arc accounts. |
| November 23, 2026 | Arc Search on iOS and Android loses AI features like “Browse for Me.” Sign-in and tab sync stop, but the app still works as a basic local browser. |
| December 22, 2026 | Arc stops working on Mac and Windows. Accounts are deactivated, and data is deleted within 30 days. Arc Search leaves the Google Play Store. |
The stage that matters most is December 22, because that’s when your daily browser simply stops opening.
What to save before Arc goes dark
Don’t wait for the last week. Once your account is deactivated, you have a 30-day window before the data is wiped, and nothing in the announcement promises a way to export it after that.
According to TechCrunch, passwords, bookmarks, extensions, and history can transfer to Dia. The Register adds that you can import your Arc profile directly into Dia. Neither article describes a standalone export file, so don’t count on one.
Here’s a sensible save-it-now routine.
- Open your pinned tabs and favorites, and write down anything you’d be upset to lose.
- Make sure your passwords live in a password manager, not only inside Arc.
- Run the Dia import while Arc still works, even if you plan to use a different browser later.
That last step gives you a second copy of your data, which is cheap insurance.
One more thing: the articles don’t say whether Arc will keep getting security patches until December 22. Since the company says it’s moving its security work to Dia, treat Arc as a browser to leave sooner rather than later. If you’re curious how other browsers handle updates, our look at Edge’s update-without-restart feature shows what modern patching looks like.
How Arc features map to Dia
If you move to Dia, the good news is that your habits mostly survive, just under new names. Arc’s features stay free in Dia, and the AI parts are optional.
| In Arc | In Dia |
|---|---|
| Spaces | Profiles, for switching between work and personal setups |
| Folders | Pinned Tab Groups |
| Vertical tab sidebar | Still available as an optional sidebar layout |
Dia is built around AI, so it feels different from Arc. If you never used Arc’s AI tools, you might not want a browser that puts them front and center.
Best Arc browser alternatives if you skip Dia
Plenty of Arc fans don’t want an AI-first browser. The Register points to a few places people are heading.
| Browser | Why people pick it |
|---|---|
| Dia | The official successor, with a built-in import from Arc. |
| Zen | Many Arc users have already moved here for a similar tab-focused feel. |
| Vivaldi | Suggested for power users who want deep customization. |
| Strawberry | An AI-agent browser, still in beta, so expect rough edges. |
If you want a mainstream pick, Chrome is still an option, and it keeps adding scam protection. We covered its latest safety upgrade in our post on Chrome’s Gemini-powered scam protection.
Why The Browser Company is ending Arc
The company says keeping a browser secure is getting more expensive in the AI era. It argues Dia “was built from the ground up to meet today’s security standards,” so its engineers and security team will focus there.
The Register notes that Arc never quite caught on with a mass audience, despite its sidebar approach to tabs. Hopes of an open-source release faded back in 2025, so the community can’t keep Arc alive on its own.
For you, the practical meaning is simple. No fork is coming, and no last-minute rescue is likely. Plan as if the date is final.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Arc browser shut down?
Arc stops working on Mac and Windows on December 22, 2026. The mobile Arc Search app loses its AI features and sync on November 23.
Can I still download Arc?
New accounts can’t be created as of October 22, 2026. Check the official Arc site for download status, since the announcement doesn’t spell it out.
What happens to my Arc data?
Accounts are deactivated on December 22, and personal data is deleted within 30 days. Move what you need before then.
Will Arc become open source?
Unlikely. According to TechCrunch, CEO Josh Miller said open-sourcing Arc isn’t feasible without also opening the proprietary Arc Development Kit, which also powers Dia.
Who owns Arc?
The Browser Company, which Atlassian acquired in 2025 for $610 million, per TechCrunch.
My take: pick your next browser this week
Don’t treat December 22 as your deadline. Treat it as the day your fallback plan fails. Try Dia’s import now, test one alternative like Zen for a few days, and decide which one feels right while Arc still works as a safety net. Moving early is boring, and boring is exactly what you want from a browser switch.
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