How to Sync Arc Browser Between Mac and Windows

Syncing your Arc browser between Mac and Windows lets you keep your tabs, bookmarks, passwords, and settings in perfect harmony across both platforms. This guide walks you through the setup, what to expect, and how to fix common issues. You’ll need an Arc account (free) and both devices with Arc installed and updated.

What You’ll Need

• An Arc account (sign up at arc.net if you don’t have one)
• Arc browser installed on both your Mac and Windows PC
• Both devices connected to the internet
• Both devices updated to the latest version of Arc (check via the browser’s menu)

Step-by-Step

1. Open Arc on your Mac. Launch the browser and click the Arc logo in the top-left corner to open the sidebar menu.
2. Sign in to your Arc account. Click your profile icon or “Sign In� at the bottom of the sidebar. Enter your email and password, or use a magic link if you prefer. If you don’t have an account, click “Create Account� and follow the prompts.
3. Confirm sync is enabled. After signing in, go to Arc > Settings (or press Cmd+,). In the “General� tab, ensure the “Sync� toggle is turned on. If it’s off, turn it on and wait a few seconds for the initial sync to complete.
4. Open Arc on your Windows PC. Launch the browser. You’ll see a welcome screen or a profile icon in the top-right corner. Click it and select “Sign In�.
5. Sign in with the same Arc account. Enter the same email and password you used on the Mac. If you used a magic link, request a new one and click it from your email.
6. Wait for the sync to complete. Arc will automatically pull down your tabs, bookmarks, passwords, and settings. This may take a few minutes if you have a lot of data. You’ll see a progress indicator or a notification when it’s done.
7. Verify the sync. Check that your pinned tabs, bookmarks, and open tabs appear on the Windows side. Open a new tab and confirm your extensions and passwords are available.
8. Repeat for any other devices. Sign in on any additional Mac or Windows machines to keep them all in sync.

Common Mistakes

• Using different accounts. The most common mistake is signing in with a different email on each device. Double-check the email address matches exactly.
• Turning off sync accidentally. Some users disable sync in settings to “save bandwidthâ€� and then forget to re-enable it. Always leave sync on unless you have a specific reason.
• Expecting real-time sync for everything. Arc syncs quickly but not instantaneously. If you make a change on one device, give it a few seconds before checking the other.
• Ignoring updates. Running an outdated version of Arc can cause sync conflicts. Always update to the latest version.
• Not checking firewall or VPN settings. Corporate firewalls or VPNs can block Arc’s sync servers. If sync fails, temporarily disable them to test.

Tips

• Use the same profile for everything. If you have multiple Arc profiles, make sure you’re signed in with the same profile on both devices. Profiles are separate sync entities.
• Leverage Spaces. Arc’s Spaces (workspaces) sync across devices. Organize your tabs into Spaces to keep your workflow consistent.
• Check the sync status icon. In the sidebar, you’ll see a small cloud icon that indicates sync status. A green checkmark means everything is synced; a spinning icon means it’s in progress.
• Use the “Sync Nowâ€� option. If you’re in a hurry, click the cloud icon and select “Sync Nowâ€� to force an immediate sync.
• Keep your passwords in Arc’s built-in password manager. This ensures they sync across devices without needing a third-party extension.

Troubleshooting

Sync isn’t working at all. First, sign out and sign back in on both devices. If that doesn’t help, check your internet connection and ensure Arc’s servers aren’t down (you can check Arc’s status page). If you’re behind a firewall, allow Arc through it or try a different network.

Only some data syncs. This often happens when you have a large number of tabs or bookmarks. Give it more time. If it’s still stuck, try closing some tabs to reduce the load, then force sync. Also, check that you’re not exceeding Arc’s storage limits (free accounts have a limit on sync data).

Passwords aren’t syncing. Make sure you’ve enabled password sync in Arc’s settings. On Mac, go to Arc > Settings > Passwords and toggle “Sync Passwords�. On Windows, the setting is under Settings > Privacy & Security. If it’s already on, try turning it off and on again.

Duplicate tabs appear. This can happen when you edit tabs on both devices simultaneously. Arc usually merges them, but duplicates may occur. Close the duplicates manually, and they won’t reappear after the next sync.

Sync is slow. Large amounts of data (especially many open tabs) can slow sync. Close unused tabs, clear your browsing data, and ensure both devices are on a stable, high-speed connection. Also, check that you’re not syncing huge downloads or media files in tabs.

Error messages like “Sync failed� or “Sync error�. Note the error code if any. Common fixes: update Arc, clear the browser cache, or reinstall Arc. If the problem persists, reach out to Arc’s support with the error details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a paid plan to sync Arc between Mac and Windows?

No, syncing is included in the free Arc account. Paid plans (Arc Max) add AI features but don’t affect basic sync.

Will my open tabs sync in real-time?

Arc syncs tabs within a few seconds, but it’s not truly real-time. If you close a tab on your Mac, it may take up to a minute to close on your Windows PC.

Can I sync my extensions and their settings?

Yes, extensions and their settings sync across devices, but you may need to re-enable some extensions on the new device if they’re not installed by default.

What happens if I use Arc on both devices at the same time?

Both devices stay in sync, but if you make conflicting changes (e.g., editing the same bookmark), Arc keeps the most recent change. You may see duplicates in rare cases.

Does Arc sync my browsing history?

No, Arc does not sync your browsing history by default. It only syncs tabs, bookmarks, passwords, and settings. History is kept local to each device.

Can I sync between a Mac and a Windows PC if I use different profiles?

No, each profile syncs separately. You must use the same profile on both devices to see the same data. If you have multiple profiles, sign in with the same one on both.

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