Arc is great but it needs to improve.
I’ve had a delightful experience using Arc Browser on macOS. Its design is truly exquisite, and I personally prefer it to Chrome. However, I’ve noticed that the iOS version lacks the ability to install extensions and doesn’t seem to offer the full range of features available on the desktop version. There appears to be significant room for improvement in the mobile experience.
Additionally, I have a query regarding the browser’s search functionality. The inability to change the default search engine is quite limiting, especially for Chinese users like myself who cannot access Google without special networking conditions. I believe it would be greatly beneficial to implement a simple settings interface that allows users to select their preferred search engine. This would enhance the browser’s appeal and usability for a broader audience.
(Translated by ChatGLM-4, an LLM trained by ZhipuAI& THUDM)
Additionally, I have a query regarding the browser’s search functionality. The inability to change the default search engine is quite limiting, especially for Chinese users like myself who cannot access Google without special networking conditions. I believe it would be greatly beneficial to implement a simple settings interface that allows users to select their preferred search engine. This would enhance the browser’s appeal and usability for a broader audience.
(Translated by ChatGLM-4, an LLM trained by ZhipuAI& THUDM)
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Frustrating Mobile App
While I love the desktop app, and that seems where they are focused. The app is a frustrating disconnect from the desktop app. The UI takes some frustrating discovery. The pull down to view spaces is not easy to use. When I am logged in a gmail profile you can reset the cookies on the page. I hate the whole auto archive the pages. You view a page come back later and its gone. And there is no visual board to see any of your pages. This leaves me to continue using the Brave or Safary browser cause at least all my tabs are visible and I can have control of the data and privacy of the pages I view.
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Very basic, but that’s a good thing.
The common complaint I’ve seen with this app is the simplicity. You’re not able to do a lot of things as you can with other mobile browsers… but I love it!
Personally, I have a problem with having too many tabs open on my phone. Before this app, I had like 100 I never used and likely never would. Now, I literally have one tab open ever, since this app makes it difficult to keep them open.
My only complaint is the speed. It seems to take a little bit to load a tab, definitely slower than other browsers.
Personally, I have a problem with having too many tabs open on my phone. Before this app, I had like 100 I never used and likely never would. Now, I literally have one tab open ever, since this app makes it difficult to keep them open.
My only complaint is the speed. It seems to take a little bit to load a tab, definitely slower than other browsers.
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Definitely a “companion”
So first things to point out: this isn’t meant to be a full replacement for a browser, thus why they put the word “companion” into the app title. As a companion, it works enough. From anywhere with a share menu, you can add links to your Arc spaces, those show up on your Mac, and you of course can see and access your spaces within the app as well. One strange omission is the ability to see your favorites. You can only see pinned tabs. This where it comes from 5-star to 4-star. There is also web functionality built into this app, but it’s just the basics for quick peeks into your open tabs in arc. This is also where this app becomes a 3-star instead of a 4-star. Given this is a companion app, I would’ve been fine with the basics only, but you can’t change the search engine, and the default is Google. Given the otherwise great Privacy Policy from Arc, not being able to switch from Google is disappointing. You can still type direct urls in the search bar though, so I can use an alternative with an extra step each search. I’d really like to see the ability to switch search engines though. As expected from the Arc team, the UI is wonderful and built like it was meant for a smartphone. It’s fast and easy to get around. Overall, I like the app, and can’t wait to see a full Arc browser on mobile down the road.
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Arc on iphone is awesome, but not today
First of all I want to say, that I hate writing reviews on apps, by the way this is my first one.
Arc is marvellous on Mac, I’ve started using it recently and the thing about spaces, folders, notes, boosts and so on is great.
I’ve decided to fully change my basic browser on all my devices, but when i downloaded it on Iphone I was shocked… Arc is empty on Iphone unfortunately. I mean it can be used as a browsing machine, but it can’t be used as a basic browser on Iphone instead of safari.
Dear Developers, please keep updating Arc and create the best browser.
Arc is marvellous on Mac, I’ve started using it recently and the thing about spaces, folders, notes, boosts and so on is great.
I’ve decided to fully change my basic browser on all my devices, but when i downloaded it on Iphone I was shocked… Arc is empty on Iphone unfortunately. I mean it can be used as a browsing machine, but it can’t be used as a basic browser on Iphone instead of safari.
Dear Developers, please keep updating Arc and create the best browser.
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