Arc, the design-focused web browser from The Browser Company, is going away. The company announced on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, that Arc will be “sunset” on Dec. 22, 2026, and it is steering users to Dia, its newer AI-focused browser. If you are wondering what happened to Arc browser, here is what the company said, the key dates, what happens to your data and how to move your setup before the deadline.
What happened to Arc browser
The Browser Company posted the news on Arc’s help center in an article titled “Arc Sunset: Key Dates and What to Expect.” It says that on Dec. 22, 2026, Arc for macOS and Windows will stop working, users will no longer be able to sign in, and all Arc services will be turned off. The Verge and TechCrunch both reported the same shutdown date and staged wind-down.
The company gave security as the main reason. “Keeping a browser secure takes constant, dedicated work that is only increasing in the age of AI,” the company wrote, according to TechCrunch. “Dia was built from the ground up to meet today’s security standards, so that’s where our engineering and security teams will focus moving forward.” The help center adds that “we can no longer keep Arc as safe and secure as it needs to be.”
The Verge noted that Dia is now where the company is focused, “including our whole security team.” New feature development on Arc had already stopped in 2025, when The Browser Company shifted its attention to Dia, according to both The Verge and TechCrunch.
Timeline
- 2025: The Browser Company stops active feature development on Arc and focuses on Dia, The Verge and TechCrunch reported. Atlassian acquires The Browser Company for $610 million the same year, according to both outlets.
- Oct. 22, 2026: The company announces the Arc sunset. New Arc accounts can no longer be created, according to the Arc help center.
- Nov. 23, 2026: Arc Search for iOS and Android loses its AI features, including “Browse for Me.” Users can no longer sign in or sync tabs, but the apps keep working as basic browsers. Arc for Mac and Windows begins showing sunset reminders.
- Dec. 15, 2026: Last day to request a copy of personal data tied to an Arc account or to ask for it to be deleted, per the help center.
- Dec. 22, 2026: Arc for macOS and Windows stops working. Accounts are deactivated, Arc services are turned off, and Arc Search for Android is removed from the Google Play Store and from devices. Arc Search for iOS keeps working as a basic mobile browser.
- Within 30 days after deactivation: Personal data associated with Arc accounts is deleted, the company said.
What happens to your Arc data
This is the part that matters most for current users. According to the Arc help center, once accounts are deactivated on Dec. 22, the company “will no longer be able to retrieve your Arc account data.” After that date, users will not be able to open Arc to get to their Spaces, tabs or other browsing data.
The Browser Company recommends importing everything into Dia before the deadline. Its “Move from Arc to Dia” guide says Dia can import Spaces, Favorites, pinned tabs, folders, bookmarks, history, passwords and extensions on both macOS and Windows. Each imported Arc Space becomes a new Profile in Dia. The guide says importing copies data into Dia and does not change or delete anything in Arc, and Arc must stay installed until the import finishes.
For people who do not want to switch to Dia, the help center says users can save their Spaces and tabs as a list of links before Dec. 22. Arc Search users on iPhone and Android can export a list of open tabs from the app’s settings.
Arc will keep getting “basic updates and fixes” until Dec. 22, but no new features, the company said.
Why it matters
Arc built a loyal following for its unusual interface, including vertical tabs in a sidebar, Spaces for separating work and personal browsing, and folders for pinned tabs. TechCrunch described it as “fiercely beloved by a dedicated group of enthusiasts,” while noting that it never became the mass-market Chrome alternative its makers had hoped for. The Verge said many of Arc’s ideas have since appeared in other browsers.
TechCrunch reported that The Browser Company previously acknowledged that a “novelty tax” and complexity limited Arc’s mainstream adoption. That helps explain why the company bet on Dia, which puts AI features at the center while keeping some Arc-style tools.
According to TechCrunch, several Arc features carry over to Dia in new forms: Spaces become Profiles you can swipe between, vertical tabs remain as an optional sidebar layout, and Folders are now called “Pinned Tab Groups.” TechCrunch also reported that Arc features will remain free in Dia, with AI optional.
The shutdown also raises a common question: could Arc be open-sourced so the community can maintain it? TechCrunch reported that many users renewed that request on social media. CEO Josh Miller had previously said Arc runs on a proprietary internal toolkit called the Arc Development Kit, which also powers Dia. “While we’d love to open-source Arc someday, we can’t do that meaningfully without also open-sourcing ADK,” Miller said, according to TechCrunch. The company has not announced any plan to open-source Arc.
What’s next
Arc users have until Dec. 22, 2026, to decide where to go. The company’s recommended path is Dia, which it says can be downloaded from diabrowser.com. Users who want to keep a copy of their personal data, or have it deleted, need to make that request by Dec. 15, according to the help center.
For people who prefer not to use Dia, The Verge noted that the Zen browser, which is built on Mozilla’s Gecko engine, is often recommended as an Arc-like alternative. The Browser Company has not said whether any further changes are planned for Arc Search on iOS after the sunset, beyond saying it will keep working as a basic browser.
FAQ
Is Arc browser shutting down?
Yes. The Browser Company says Arc for macOS and Windows will stop working on Dec. 22, 2026.
Why is Arc being discontinued?
The company said keeping a browser secure has become harder in the age of AI and that its engineering and security teams will focus on Dia instead.
Will I lose my Arc tabs and bookmarks?
You will lose access after Dec. 22 unless you move them. Dia can import Spaces, tabs, bookmarks, passwords, history and extensions, or you can save Spaces and tabs as a list of links.
Can I still make a new Arc account?
No. New Arc accounts could no longer be created as of Oct. 22, 2026.
Does Arc Search keep working?
Arc Search for iOS keeps working as a basic browser. Arc Search for Android is removed on Dec. 22. On both, AI features turn off on Nov. 23.
Who owns The Browser Company?
Atlassian acquired The Browser Company for $610 million in 2025, according to The Verge and TechCrunch.
Updated October 25, 2026