The Browser Company has announced a staged shutdown, with mobile AI features ending in November and desktop access closing in December. Arc Search on iOS will survive in a limited form.
The Browser Company has confirmed that Arc for macOS and Windows will stop working on December 22, 2026.
The announcement turns Arc’s wind-down into a firm migration deadline. Existing users should transfer important browsing information before losing access, rather than assume an installed copy will remain usable indefinitely.
Arc shutdown timeline: the dates that matter
| Date | What changes |
|---|---|
| October 22, 2026 | New Arc account registrations closed. |
| November 23, 2026 | Arc Search on Android and iOS loses AI features, sign-in and tab syncing. |
| December 15, 2026 | Deadline to request a copy of account-related personal data or its deletion. |
| December 22, 2026 | Desktop Arc stops working, accounts are deactivated and Arc services close. |
The company says personal data associated with deactivated accounts will be deleted within 30 days.
Android and iPhone users face different outcomes
Arc Search’s mobile shutdown is not identical across platforms.
On Android, The Browser Company says the app will be removed from Google Play and from devices where it is installed on December 22. Its notice does not explain the technical mechanism for removal from devices.
On iOS, Arc Search will continue as a limited browser after losing AI features and account syncing.
For mobile users, saving open tabs before the changes arrive is more useful than relying on syncing to preserve them later.
Moving to Dia and exporting tabs are different options
The company is directing users towards Dia, which supports importing passwords, browsing history, bookmarks, extensions and Arc’s organisational setup.
Users choosing another browser can export their Spaces and tabs as a list of links through Arc’s settings. That link export should not be confused with transferring every category of browser data.
A successful export is only the first step. Open the saved file, check important links and confirm that the destination browser contains what you need before retiring the old setup.
Work and personal profiles deserve separate attention. Missing a rarely used work account or a folder of project links may not become obvious during a quick inspection.
An account-data request will not recover everything
Arc’s support guidance distinguishes account-related personal information from browsing data stored on a device.
A requested account-data copy does not include locally stored passwords or browsing history, because the company says it does not have access to that information. It also warns that users will not be able to open desktop Arc to retrieve local browsing data after the shutdown.
The practical implication is clear: requesting account information is not a substitute for migrating the browser itself.
Why The Browser Company is closing Arc
The company says maintaining browser security requires continuous, dedicated work. Its engineering and security teams will focus on Dia going forward.
For Arc users, the immediate priority is preserving access to their own information. Complete the move early enough to test everyday tasks—opening saved sites, signing into essential accounts and finding project tabs—while Arc is still available.
