If you’re bored of traditional browsers and want something that actually feels modern, Arc Browser is worth a serious look. Arc isn’t just another Chromium-based browser with a new coat of paint, it completely rethinks how you manage tabs, workspaces, and daily browsing.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through installing Arc Browser on macOS, setting it as your default browser, and importing bookmarks so you can switch without losing anything important.
How to Install Arc Browser on macOS
Installing Arc on a Mac is straightforward, but there are a few things you should know before you begin. Open your current browser, visit the official Arc website, download the installer, and follow the steps below to install it:
1. Open any browser and visit the Arc Browser download page.
2. Click Download for macOS.
3. Once the download is complete, open the .dmg file. You’ll see the Arc Browser icon along with the Applications folder shortcut.
4. Drag the Arc Browser icon into the Applications folder. This installs Arc like any other Mac app.
5. Open Finder > Applications and click Arc. Since this is your first launch, macOS may ask for confirmation because the app was downloaded from the internet. Click Open to continue.
6. Arc requires you to sign in with an email account. This lets you sync Spaces, tabs, and settings across devices. After signing in, Arc will walk you through a short onboarding process that introduces features like Spaces, pinned tabs, and the sidebar.
At this point, Arc is fully installed and ready to use on your Mac.
How to Make Arc the Default Browser on macOS
To get the full Arc experience, you’ll probably want macOS to open links in Arc instead of Safari or Chrome. To do that, you’ll need to make Arc your default browser on macOS. Here’s how:
1. Click the Apple menu and open System Settings.
2. Go to Desktop & Dock.
3. Scroll down until you see Default web browser.
4. Click the dropdown menu and select Arc.
From now on, any web link you open from Mail, Messages, or other apps will open directly in Arc.
Arc may also prompt you to make it your default browser during the onboarding process. If you skipped that step, you can still do it later from Arc’s settings.
Open Arc, go to Settings, and choose the option to make Arc your default browser. macOS will automatically update the system setting for you.
How to Import Bookmarks to Arc Browser on macOS
Switching browsers doesn’t mean starting from scratch. Arc makes it easy to import bookmarks from Safari, Chrome, and other browsers. Here’s how:
1. Launch Arc and click the Arc menu in the top-left corner, then open Settings.
2. In the Settings panel, look for the Import from Another Browser option.
3. Select the browser you want to import from, such as Safari or Chrome. Arc will automatically detect available bookmarks, saved passwords, and other browsing data.
4. Confirm your selection and let Arc handle the rest. Your bookmarks will appear in Arc, usually organized into folders or accessible through the sidebar.
Once the import is complete, you can pin important bookmarks, organize them into Spaces, or keep them tucked away for later use. This is where Arc really starts to shine.
Final Thoughts
Arc Browser on macOS feels like a browser designed for how we actually work today. With its vertical tabs, Spaces, and clutter-free approach, it can significantly improve productivity once you get used to it. Installation is simple, setting it as the default browser takes just a few clicks, and importing bookmarks ensures you don’t lose your browsing history in the switch.
If you enjoy experimenting with new tools and want a browser that feels genuinely different, Arc is absolutely worth trying on your Mac.
