Kepler Oates
AI tools

Arc browser stops working December 22. Here's how to move without losing anything

· 2 min read · Drafted with AI help, reviewed by Kepler Oates

Illustration for: Arc browser stops working December 22. Here's how to move without losing anything

Arc, the browser with the sidebar of tabs that a lot of designers and developers loved, is shutting down. The Browser Company, now owned by Atlassian, announced it will sunset Arc on December 22, 2026 and wants users to move to Dia, its AI-first browser. If you use Arc, you have about two months.

The key dates

InteractiveArc's shutdown timelineTap a date, or use Next.
  1. No new accounts New Arc accounts can no longer be created.
  2. Phones lose sync and AI Arc Search on iOS and Android loses AI features like Browse for Me, plus sign-in and tab sync. It keeps working as a basic local browser.
  3. Arc stops working Arc stops working on Mac and Windows. Accounts are deactivated, personal data is deleted within 30 days, and Arc Search leaves Google Play.

Sources: TechCrunch, Oct 22; 9to5Mac, Oct 22.

Why it's happening

The company says keeping a browser secure takes more ongoing work every year, especially with AI, and that "Dia was built from the ground up to meet today's security standards." It stopped adding features to Arc in 2025, and it has said Arc's unusual design, a "novelty tax," limited how many people adopted it. Fans asked for Arc to be open-sourced. CEO Josh Miller has said that would mean releasing the toolkit that also powers Dia, which the company considers core to its value.

What moves to Dia

  • Your stuff. Passwords, bookmarks, extensions and history transfer to Dia, and Spaces, Folders and Tab Groups import with their contents, 9to5Mac reports.
  • Familiar features. Spaces become Profiles, Folders become Pinned Tab Groups, and vertical tabs are an option.
  • Price. Dia is free to download, the Arc features are free, and the AI features are optional.

What it means for you

  • Do it before November 23 if you use Arc on your phone. Sync stops then, so get any mobile tabs onto your computer first.
  • Don't wait for December 22. Pick a quiet evening, install your new browser, import, and check that your passwords, bookmarks and extensions all came across while Arc still works.
  • Back up your passwords separately. A password manager keeps your logins safe no matter which browser you use next, so you're never stuck in one again.
  • You don't have to choose Dia. Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari and Brave can import bookmarks too. If you liked Arc for its tidy, less-distracting design, look for a browser with vertical tabs and profiles.
  • It's a good lesson about free tools. Services can disappear. For anything important, keep your own copy. The free tools on this site run in your browser, and you can save or print what you make.

Sources

Not financial advice. This summarizes public reporting for information only. It is not investment, tax or legal advice. Do your own research or talk to a licensed professional.