The Browser Company is shutting down Arc, and Arc Search on Android has two dates to remember. On November 23, the app loses its AI features, sign-in and tab sync. On December 22, Arc Search for Android is removed from the Google Play Store and from the phones it’s installed on.
Arc Search for Android shutdown timeline
The company laid out the schedule on its A farewell to Arc page. For phone users, it runs in two stages.
- November 23: Browse for Me and the other AI features stop working on Android and iOS. Arc Search keeps working as a plain browser, but you can no longer sign in or sync tabs.
- December 22: Arc Search for Android is fully deprecated. It’s pulled from Google Play and removed from devices where it’s installed. All Arc accounts are deactivated, and their personal data is deleted within 30 days.
The iPhone app takes a different path. After November 23, iOS users keep a lite version of the browser. The Browser Company hasn’t given an end date for the iOS app.
Arc on desktop ends too
Arc for macOS and Windows stops working on December 22, 2026. New Arc accounts can no longer be created as of October 22. Existing accounts keep working until the later dates.
The company’s stated reason is security. In its words: “Our priority is to deliver best-in-class security for our members.” It argues that keeping a browser secure takes constant work, and that the load is growing in the age of AI. That’s the company’s own justification, not something anyone can check from outside.
Its suggested replacement is Dia, made by the same team. Dia is free on macOS and Windows and can import from Arc, and the company says its AI is optional. The sunset page only describes Dia for desktop, though. It names no Dia app for Android or iOS, so phone users are left to pick another browser on their own. If you’re weighing Chrome, it has added protections like softer warnings for suspicious sites.
How to export your Arc Search tabs
Do this before November 23, when sync ends. Waiting until December 22 risks losing your open tabs when the app is removed.
On Android
- Tap the Tab Switcher (the stacked tabs button) in the bottom-left corner.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Storage.
- Tap Export data, then share or copy the list of your open tabs.
The company’s FAQ also gives a shorter path: App Settings > Export Data.
On iPhone
- Tap the Tab Switcher icon in the bottom-left corner.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Export Data. The FAQ also labels this option Export Open Tabs.
What happens to your data
Account deactivation on December 22 starts a 30-day clock on deleting your personal data. The FAQ adds that from December 22, the company can no longer identify or retrieve Arc user data for data requests. If you want a copy of anything, ask before then.
If you also use Dia, only the personal data tied to your Arc account is affected.
Source: The Browser Company
