Known limitations
OpenArch is early, but usable as a daily browser. These are the gaps worth knowing before you move over.
The Mac it runs on
Section titled “The Mac it runs on”OpenArch runs on Macs with Apple silicon and macOS 15 or later. There is no build for Intel Macs.
Passwords and cookies
Section titled “Passwords and cookies”Chrome protects saved passwords and cookies with a key in your login keychain. OpenArch does not use the keychain yet, so they are not protected that way. See Data and privacy.
Streaming with DRM
Section titled “Streaming with DRM”OpenArch has no Widevine. Video protected with DRM, such as Netflix or Disney+, does not play. Other video does, including H.264, AAC and HEVC, which OpenArch’s own Chromium build includes.
Google sync
Section titled “Google sync”Google does not offer Chrome sync to other Chromium browsers. Signing in to Google works on websites as usual, but bookmarks, passwords and history do not sync with Chrome.
Moving over from Arc
Section titled “Moving over from Arc”The full import, with logins, passwords and extensions, has been tested on copies of Arc profiles, not yet on many real ones. It never changes Arc’s own data, so Arc keeps working as it was. See Move over from Arc.
Not built yet
Section titled “Not built yet”Arc’s Easels and Notes have no counterpart in OpenArch yet.
Full screen
Section titled “Full screen”Full screen is new. A video in full screen gets a space of its own, as in Chrome.
AI features
Section titled “AI features”The AI features need the Claude Code command line tool on your Mac, signed in. Without it they say so, and the rest of OpenArch works as usual. See How OpenArch talks to Claude.