Arc browser is shutting down in December, here's what to do next

Published Oct 22, 2026, 2:24 PM EDT Jon is a seasoned journalist who has written definitive coverage of consumer tech at publications like Engadget, Android Authority, and BetaKit. He's an expert on making tech accessible ranging from mobile and PCs to emerging platforms like wearables. When he's not writing, he's going on adventures with ihis family and is an avid photographer. Sign in to your How-To Geek account One of the major Chrome alternatives is close to going away. The Browser Company has confirmed that the Arc browser will shut down on December 22, 2026 as its successor Dia nears. The company has already barred users from creating new Arc accounts as part of the sunset plan. Sign-ins, tab syncing, and AI features like Browse for Me will stop working for Android and iOS users on November 23. The Mac and Windows versions will stop working on December 22, and Arc Search will leave the Google Play Store. All accounts will be deactivated on the shutdown day, with data deleted after 30 days. The latest Arc browser release lets you export data to import it later in Dia. The Browser Company announced the end-of-life strategy in May last year, but didn't say when it would retire Arc. CEO Josh Miller said at the time that Arc hadn't been as popular as the firm hoped, arguing that it was "simply too different" without offering enough incentives to switch. Dia is more AI-centric with optional context-aware searches, auto-generated morning briefings, and weekly summaries. It also organizes work tabs and windows. The developers also claim the new browser's "ground up" focus on modern security also prompted the transition. What alternatives are there to Arc browser? Your choice depends on the web tech you like The most obvious replacement for Arc is Dia. The new browser has a familiar interface, and you can import your existing data with little hassle. There are multiple options besides Chrome if Dia isn't suitable. There are numerous Chromium-based browsers that include Android and desktop versions of Opera, Microsoft Edge, and the privacy-oriented Brave (Apple platforms use WebKit). They won't mirror Arc's experience, but are more likely to ease your transition. If you'd rather drop Chromium altogether, you can download Mozilla Firefox or other (frequently privacy-conscious) browsers based on its Gecko engine, such as Tor Browser and Zen Browser. The switch is potentially more complicated but will give you the cleanest break from Google technology.