Arc’s days as a browser alternative are numbered, with users facing a December deadline to save their data or move to its successor, Dia.
The Browser Company will discontinue Arc on Dec. 22, 2026, ending support for the browser as it concentrates its engineering and security resources on Dia, its AI-focused successor.
The company announced the decision on Oct. 22, saying the growing demands of browser security made it necessary to focus on one product. “Keeping a browser secure takes constant, dedicated work that is only increasing in the age of AI,” the company said in its farewell announcement.
New Arc accounts can no longer be created, although existing desktop users can continue browsing until the shutdown date. On Nov. 23, Arc Search on iOS and Android will lose its AI features, including Browse for Me, along with account sign-in and tab synchronization.
Arc will stop working on macOS and Windows on Dec. 22. Accounts will be deactivated, and associated personal data will be deleted within 30 days. The company says Arc Search for Android will be removed from Google Play and installed devices. A stripped-down version of Arc Search will remain usable on iOS.
Dia takes over as the company’s main browser
The transition follows The Browser Company’s decision to end active Arc feature development in 2025. Atlassian acquired the company that year for $610 million.
Arc attracted users with customizable workspaces, vertical tabs and tools designed to make managing multiple websites easier. However, its distinctive interface and complexity limited mainstream adoption, the company acknowledged previously.
Dia retains several of those features while adding AI-focused browsing capabilities. Arc’s Spaces become Profiles, its Folders become Tab Groups, and users can keep vertical tabs in a sidebar. The company says Dia now outperforms Arc in its benchmarks for speed, stability, and security. Arc’s core browsing features remain free in Dia, and users can choose whether to use its AI tools.
What Arc users should do before December
Users who want to switch to Dia can import their passwords, bookmarks, extensions, browsing history, tabs and workspace settings directly into the new browser. Existing Dia users can also import Arc data through the browser’s import menu.
Those who prefer another browser should export their data before Dec. 22. To save tabs as a list of links on macOS, open Arc > Settings > Advanced > Export Data. On Windows, open Settings > Advanced > Export Spaces and tabs > Export Data.
This tab export should not be treated as a complete browser backup. Check the destination browser’s import options separately for passwords, bookmarks, and history, then verify that important information transferred successfully.
The deadline matters beyond losing access to Arc: once accounts are deactivated, The Browser Company says it will no longer be able to identify or retrieve Arc user data for data requests. Users should not assume they can recover information after the shutdown.
Test your replacement before Arc becomes inaccessible
The Browser Company offers a direct import into Dia for users who want to retain their Arc setup. Users can also choose another browser, but should check its migration options before assuming their saved information and workspace organization will carry over.
For anyone using Arc for work, importing data is only the first step. Before making your replacement browser the default, test essential websites, work-account sign-ins, extensions, and password access. Check that saved tabs and bookmarks point to the resources you actually need.
IT teams supporting Arc users should identify affected devices, choose an approved replacement, and give employees time to resolve migration problems. Review the replacement browser’s privacy controls and AI settings before using it with confidential work information, even if employees plan to use only its conventional browsing features.
Keep exported files secure, particularly any separate password exports, and confirm the replacement contains the information you need before removing Arc. Completing those checks ahead of the deadline leaves time to recover missing information and fix disrupted workflows.
Read more: If you’re considering an AI browser as your Arc replacement, compare five options and their features, costs, and trade-offs before deciding which fits your workflow.