Setting up proxy in Arc Browser

Setting Up Proxies in Arc Browser

Arc Browser and Proxies

Arc is a modern Chromium-based browser from The Browser Company. It's available for macOS and Windows. Like other Chromium browsers, Arc uses system proxy settings and supports Chrome extensions.

Arc features a unique approach to its interface (Spaces, Boosts, Split View), but proxy handling is standard for Chromium.

Method 1: System Settings

macOS (Arc's Primary Platform)

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences)
2. Go to Network
3. Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
4. Click «Details...» → Proxies
5. Enable the desired proxy type:
   - Web Proxy (HTTP) — for HTTP traffic
   - Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS) — for HTTPS traffic
   - SOCKS Proxy — for SOCKS4/5
6. Enter the server address and port
7. If authentication is required — enable it and enter your login/password
8. Click OK

Windows

1. Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy
2. Under «Manual proxy setup,» enable «Use a proxy server»
3. Enter the address and port
4. Save

Automatic Configuration (PAC)

For complex routing rules:
1. In your OS proxy settings, select «Automatic Proxy Configuration»
2. Specify the PAC file URL
3. Arc will use the rules from the PAC file to determine which traffic to proxy

Method 2: Chrome Extensions

Arc is fully compatible with the Chrome Web Store.

SwitchyOmega

1. Open the Chrome Web Store in Arc
2. Install Proxy SwitchyOmega
3. Click the extension icon → Options
4. Create a proxy profile: protocol, address, port, authentication
5. Create an auto_switch profile for domain-based rules
6. Switch via the icon in the toolbar

Extension Features in Arc

Arc hides extensions in the Extensions panel (cmd+shift+E). To make the SwitchyOmega icon visible in the toolbar:
1. Click the puzzle icon in the toolbar
2. Find SwitchyOmega
3. Click «Pin» to keep it visible

Method 3: Command Line Flags

macOS

Launch from terminal:
/Applications/Arc.app/Contents/MacOS/Arc --proxy-server="socks5://ip:port"

For persistent use, you can create a shell script or an Automator workflow.

Windows

arc.exe --proxy-server="http://ip:port"

You can create a shortcut with an additional flag.

Working with Arc Spaces and Proxies

Spaces for Different Proxies

Arc Spaces is a unique feature for organizing workspaces. Use different Spaces for different tasks:

• Space 1: Personal — no proxy (Direct)
• Space 2: Work — via corporate proxy
• Space 3: Research — via residential proxy

To do this, create domain-based rules in SwitchyOmega: corporate domains via the corporate proxy, others — directly.

Profiles in Arc

Arc supports different profiles (like Chrome). Each profile can have its own set of extensions and proxy settings.

Arc Boosts and Proxies

Arc Boosts allow injecting CSS/JS onto pages. While not directly related to proxies, this can be useful for:
- Modifying the display of pages accessed via proxy
- Adding an indicator of the current proxy to pages
- Automating actions on proxied websites

Verification and Security

IP Check

1. Open an IP check website
2. Ensure the proxy's IP is displayed

DNS Leaks

Arc supports DNS-over-HTTPS:
1. arc://settings → Privacy and security → Security
2. Use secure DNS → With: Custom
3. Specify a DoH provider

WebRTC

To prevent WebRTC leaks, install the WebRTC Leak Prevent extension or use SwitchyOmega with the DNS proxy option for SOCKS5.

Troubleshooting

Proxy Not Applied

• Arc may cache DNS. Clear it: arc://net-internals/#dns → Clear host cache
• Restart Arc after changing system settings
• Check if an extension is conflicting with system settings

ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED

• Check the availability of the proxy server
• Ensure the address and port are correct
• Verify that the proxy supports the specified protocol

Authentication Not Working

• Not all proxy types support authentication via system settings
• Use SwitchyOmega for reliable authentication

Conclusion

Proxy setup in Arc Browser is standard for Chromium-based browsers. SwitchyOmega is recommended for flexible management. Arc's unique features (Spaces, Profiles) allow for convenient organization of work with different proxies for various tasks.