What is Open Arc?
An independent, open-source macOS browser built on Chromium, made for people who want to keep Arc's familiar way of browsing. It has Spaces, Profiles, a sidebar with Favorites and pinned tabs, nested folders, Split View, Peek, Little Arc, a command bar and automatic tab archiving.
Is this an official continuation of Arc?
No. Open Arc is a community project, not made by or affiliated with The Browser Company. Its code, icons and artwork are independently authored.
Is it free? Which Macs can run it?
It is free to download and its source is available under the BSD 3-Clause license. The current release requires macOS 14 or later on Apple silicon. There are no Intel Mac, Windows, Linux or iOS builds.
Can I bring my Arc setup?
Yes: supported Spaces, theme colors, icons, nested folders, pinned tabs, Favorites, Today tabs and split views. Choose Open Arc > Import from Another Browser… > Arc. History and passwords are separate options when supported source data is detected. Importing does not change Arc's data. Imported custom tab names can be replaced by page titles after loading. See the migration guide for steps and exceptions.
Will I still be signed in to websites?
No. Cookies and signed-in sessions do not transfer. Imported saved passwords may help you sign in again, but a saved password is not a signed-in session. Extensions and every Arc preference do not automatically carry over either.
Does importing replace my existing Open Arc Spaces?
No. It adds new Spaces to the current Profile. Repeating the sidebar import creates another set of Spaces rather than merging them. Favorites with a URL already present in that Profile are not duplicated.
Does Open Arc have every Arc feature?
No. The current version does not include Boosts, Notes, Live Folders, Cast or Arc's AI features. Chromium extensions are supported. Follow the README for the current feature gaps.
What does “Archive tabs after” do?
It moves idle, unpinned Today tabs into Archive after the interval you choose: 12 hours, 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days. Favorites, pinned tabs and the active tab stay in place. You can reopen archived tabs; archiving is not the same as permanently deleting them.
Do I need an Open Arc account or iCloud?
No Open Arc account is needed. You can browse with data stored locally on your Mac. iCloud is only needed if you choose to enable sidebar sync between Macs.
Where is my data stored? What syncs?
Your browser data is stored on your Mac. Optional sync uses your own private iCloud database for supported sidebar content, including Spaces, tabs, folders, Favorites, split views and the archive. Sync is off by default. Profiles, website sign-ins, cookies, passwords, browsing history and extensions are not synced.
Does Open Arc collect usage data?
Basic usage sharing is on by default after an in-app notice and can be turned off in Settings > General > Share usage data. It covers limited events such as app use, selected feature use, Arc import results and your archive interval. It does not send browsing URLs, page contents, searches or passwords in those events. This is separate from iCloud sync; see the privacy policy for details.
Are there other limitations I should check?
Yes. The current release does not include Widevine for DRM-protected video, Safe Browsing or client-side phishing detection, iCloud Keychain passkeys, automatic OpenSearch discovery, or breached-password warnings. Check whether your essential sites and workflows work before switching your daily browsing. These capabilities may change; the current limitations are the reference.
How do I update or report a problem?
Open Arc checks for updates automatically. You can also choose Open Arc > Check for Updates…. Report bugs through GitHub Issues , including your app and macOS versions and clear reproduction steps. Remove personal information from screenshots and logs before sharing them.
Where do I get it?
Download Open Arc. The download link resolves to the latest stable DMG. Explore the source or read the Help Center.