The Browser Company is retiring its design-forward Arc browser on December 22, 2026, and moving users toward Dia, its AI-first browser. TechCrunch reports that the company made the announcement on Thursday due to the rising cost of keeping a browser secure in the age of AI.
Key takeaways
- The Browser Company is shutting down Arc on December 22, 2026.
- New Arc accounts cannot be created starting Thursday.
- Arc Search on iOS and Android loses AI features on November 23.
- Passwords, bookmarks, and extensions transfer over to Dia.
When will the Arc browser stop working completely?
The wind-down happens in three stages, according to TechCrunch. New account creation stopped on Thursday. On November 23, Arc Search on mobile devices loses features like "Browse for Me" and the ability to sign in or sync tabs, though it stays active as a basic local browser. By December 22, Arc stops working entirely on Mac and Windows, accounts deactivate, and personal data is deleted within 30 days. At the same time, Arc Search vanishes from the Google Play Store.
What happens to arc features in the Dia browser?
Users switching to Dia keep familiar tools from Arc. Profiles replace Spaces to let people swipe between work and personal environments. The signature vertical tabs stay as an optional sidebar layout, and Folders return as Pinned Tab Groups. Passwords, bookmarks, extensions, and history move over to Dia, where core features remain free with optional AI. CEO Josh Miller previously explained that open-sourcing Arc is impossible because it relies on the proprietary ADK engine that powers Dia.
Why it matters for loyal users
Fans of the software expressed disappointment on social media and asked for the project to become open-source. However, the closure marks the end of a product that struggled to capture mainstream adoption beyond early enthusiasts. The company was acquired by Atlassian for $610 million in 2025 and stopped active feature development on Arc that same year, citing a novelty tax and high complexity.
Frequently asked questions
The browser stops working completely on Mac and Windows on December 22, 2026. Accounts will be deactivated, and personal data will be deleted within 30 days.
According to TechCrunch, the company cited the rising cost of keeping a browser secure in the age of AI as the main reason for the shutdown.
No, because Arc runs on the proprietary Arc Development Kit, which is also the core engine powering the new Dia browser. Open-sourcing Arc would give away Dia's intellectual property.
Arc Search on iOS and Android loses its AI features and syncing capabilities on November 23, and it will be removed from the Google Play Store on December 22.
Yes, passwords, bookmarks, extensions, and history will smoothly transfer from Arc to Dia. Core features will remain free in the new app, with AI being completely optional.
Based on reporting by TechCrunch. Read the original article
