Change Search Engine in Arc Browser: Step-by-Step

Arc Browser lets you pick which search engine handles your searches from the address bar and the search box. This guide walks you through changing it, whether you want Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or a custom engine, and covers common pitfalls and fixes.

What You’ll Need

• Arc Browser installed (any recent version, Windows or macOS).
• Your preferred search engine’s URL (if you plan to add a custom one).

Step-by-Step

1. Open Arc Browser. Launch the app on your computer.
2. Access Settings. Click the Arc menu (the Arc logo) in the top-left corner (macOS) or the three-dot menu in the top-right (Windows). Then select Settings.
3. Go to the Search Engine section. In the Settings window, look for the Search Engine or Search tab in the left sidebar. Click it.
4. Choose your default search engine. Under Default Search Engine, you’ll see a dropdown list. Click it and select one of the built-in options: Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia, Yahoo, or Startpage. The change takes effect immediately.
5. Add a custom search engine (optional). If your preferred engine isn’t listed, scroll down to Custom Search Engines or click Manage next to the list. Click Add or the plus icon. Enter a name (e.g., “Wikipedia”), a shortcut (e.g., “wiki”), and the search URL. For most engines, the URL is the search page with %s replacing the query. For example, for Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?search=%s. Save it.
6. Set the custom engine as default (optional). After adding, go back to the Default Search Engine dropdown. Your custom engine should appear at the bottom of the list. Select it.
7. Test it. Type a query in the address bar and press Enter. The results should open in your chosen engine.

Common Mistakes

• Changing the wrong setting. Arc has separate settings for the address bar and the search box. Make sure you’re changing the Default Search Engine, not just the search box’s engine (if available).
• Using the wrong URL format for custom engines. If your custom engine doesn’t work, check that you used %s (not {query} or $s) and that the URL is the actual search endpoint, not the homepage.
• Forgetting to save the custom engine. After entering the details, click Save or Add. If you close the window without saving, it won’t appear.
• Expecting the change to affect existing tabs. The new search engine applies to new searches, not to already-open search tabs.

Tips

• Use keyboard shortcuts. After setting a custom engine with a shortcut, type the shortcut in the address bar, press Tab, then type your query to search that engine without switching defaults.
• Know your search URL. To find a custom engine’s search URL, go to the engine, perform a search, and copy the URL from the address bar. Replace the query part with %s.
• Consider privacy. If you care about privacy, choose DuckDuckGo or Startpage, which don’t track your searches as aggressively as Google.
• Sync across devices. Arc syncs settings across your devices if you’re signed in, so the change should apply everywhere.

Troubleshooting

My custom engine doesn’t appear in the list.

Make sure you saved it correctly. Try restarting Arc. If it still doesn’t show, double-check the URL format. Some engines use a different parameter; for example, YouTube uses https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%s.

The change doesn’t stick after restart.

Arc may have a sync issue. Check your internet connection, and try toggling the setting off and on. If you’re using a managed device (work/school), the admin may have locked the search engine. Contact your IT admin.

Searching from the address bar still uses the old engine.

Clear your browsing data (cookies and cache) for the search engine’s domain, or try a new incognito window. Also, ensure you’re not using a bookmark that forces a specific engine.

Arc doesn’t show the Settings option.

On Windows, the menu may be under the three-dot icon. On macOS, it’s under the Arc menu in the top-left. If you can’t find it, press Ctrl+, (Windows) or Cmd+, (macOS) to open settings directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the search engine for the search box separately?

Arc’s search box (if you have one) typically uses the same default engine. As of the latest versions, there’s no separate setting for the search box; changing the default affects both.

Does Arc support search engine shortcuts?

Yes. When you add a custom engine, you can assign a shortcut. Typing that shortcut in the address bar followed by Tab lets you search that engine directly.

Will my search engine choice sync to my phone?

Yes, if you’re signed into Arc and have sync enabled, your settings, including the search engine, will sync across devices.

How do I remove a custom search engine I added?

Go to Settings > Search Engine, find the custom engine in the list, and click the trash icon or select it and choose Remove.

Why is Google the only option?

Arc includes several built-in engines by default. If you only see Google, try scrolling the dropdown or check for updates. If you’re on a managed device, the list may be restricted.

Can I use a search engine that requires JavaScript?

Yes, as long as the search URL is correct. Arc’s address bar will open the URL, and the engine’s website will run normally.

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