You get the official Tor Browser for Android or desktop, free, with no account or subscription. It requires Android 8.0 or newer for mobile, or Windows, macOS, or GNU/Linux for desktop[1][2]. The only safe download sources are the Tor Project website, Google Play, F-Droid, or GetTor[3][1]. First step: open the official Tor Project download page and verify the file’s signature before installing[1].
Download methods and requirements comparison
| Method | Cost | Requirements | Limitations | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Tor Project website (desktop) | Free | Windows (i686, x86_64), macOS (Universal), or GNU/Linux (x86_64, aarch64); HTTPS connection | May be blocked in some regions; signature verification recommended before installation | Download from https://download.torproject.org/ with HTTPS; verify file signature |
| Official Tor Project website (Android) | Free | Android 8.0 or newer; Aarch64, Arm, or x86_64 architecture | Direct APK requires manual architecture selection; signature files provided for verification | Download APK with signature file from official page; verify before installing |
| Google Play Store (Android) | Free | Android 8.0 or newer; Google Play Services | Only official Tor Browser app is endorsed; dozens of unvetted for-profit clones exist in store | Install only from Tor Project's official listing; check developer is 'The Tor Project' |
| F-Droid (Guardian Project repository) | Free | Android 8.0 or newer; F-Droid app or Guardian Project Official App Repository added | Requires adding Guardian Project repository to F-Droid; updates may lag behind official release | Listed as official alternative by Tor Project; verify repository URL matches official documentation |
| GetTor service | Free | Email access; ability to download from Dropbox, Google Drive, or GitHub | Requires email request; links rotate with each release; manual signature verification needed | Email GetTor for automated response with current links; verify signature after download |
| Official mirrors (EFF, La Cebolla) | Free | Same as official website method | Recommended only when official site is blocked; mirror availability may vary | Use mirrors listed in official Tor documentation; verify HTTPS connection and file signature |
| Onion Browser (iOS) | Free | iOS 15.0 or later; developed by Mike Tigas | Only tunnels traffic within app; uses WebKit instead of Firefox Gecko; logging into normal accounts may reveal Tor use | Download from App Store; check developer is Mike Tigas; only app recommended by Tor Project for iOS |
| Orbot (iOS) | Free | iOS 15.0 or later | Apple requires all iOS browsers to use WebKit; traffic outside app not protected | Recommended by Tor Project alongside Onion Browser; verify official developer |
| Tor Browser with VPN | VPN subscription cost varies | Advanced user knowledge of both Tor and VPN configuration | Not recommended by Tor Project unless you know how to configure without compromising privacy; misconfiguration can reduce anonymity or break Tor protections; direct Tor connection may stand out to ISP or local network administrators | Requires understanding of traffic correlation risks and proper configuration order |
How to Get Tor Browser on Android Safely
Check your Android version and CPU architecture
Tor Browser for Android requires Android 8.0 or newer and supports Aarch64, Arm, and x86_64 architectures[1]. If you are unsure of your device's CPU architecture, the Tor Project advises installing from an app store, which handles this automatically[1]. You can check your Android version in Settings > About phone.
Choose an official download source
The Tor Project lists only four official sources for Android: Google Play Store, F-Droid (Guardian Project Official App Repository), the Tor Project website, and GetTor[1][4]. The EFF warns that searching for 'Tor Browser' in Google Play returns dozens of mostly for-profit apps that may be bundled with unvetted VPNs, so use Tor's official page link rather than searching[5].
Download from the Google Play Store or F-Droid
Open the official Tor Browser listing on Google Play or the Guardian Project repository on F-Droid and install it like any other app[6][4]. The app is free, and the Tor Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in the US[6]. Installation typically takes under a minute on a stable connection.
If app stores are blocked, use the Tor Project website or GetTor
Download the APK directly from https://download.torproject.org/ over HTTPS, which makes tampering much harder[3]. The page lists direct APK downloads with signature files for aarch64, armv7, and x86_64[4]. If the site is blocked, email GetTor to receive links to the latest Tor Browser hosted on Dropbox, Google Drive, and GitHub[3].
Verify the APK signature before installing
The Tor Project's official installation guide recommends verifying the file's signature as a standard step before installing[1]. Compare the downloaded signature file against the published one for your architecture[4]. This confirms the APK has not been modified in transit.
Install and open Tor Browser
Allow installation from your chosen source if prompted, then open the app. Tor Browser for Android is based on Mozilla Firefox for Android and is the only official mobile browser supported by the Tor Project[1][6]. On first launch, tap 'Connect' to establish a Tor circuit.
Confirm you are connected to Tor
Visit check.torproject.org inside Tor Browser. If the page shows 'Congratulations. This browser is configured to use Tor,' your connection is working. Remember that Tor Browser only tunnels traffic within the app; other apps on your device continue to use the normal connection[7].
Risks, Limitations, and Guarantees
Tor Browser is free, but it offers no legal guarantees of anonymity or protection from surveillance[6]. The Tor Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in the US, not a commercial service with liability cover[6]. If you download from unofficial sources, you risk installing a clone bundled with unvetted VPNs or data-harvesting code[5]. The EFF warns that searching 'Tor Browser' in Google Play or the App Store returns dozens of mostly for-profit apps not endorsed by the Tor Project[5].
On iOS, Onion Browser only tunnels traffic within the app itself; network traffic outside the app continues to use your normal connection[7]. If you log into websites you normally access outside Tor, the website may identify you and know you are using Tor, which in certain circumstances—such as political dissent in repressive nations—may be incriminating information[7]. Apple requires all iOS browsers to use WebKit, so Onion Browser cannot use the Firefox Gecko engine that Tor Browser uses on desktop and Android[8].
Connecting directly to Tor makes your connection stand out to local network administrators or your ISP[9]. Privacy Guides states that detecting and correlating this traffic has been done in the past by network administrators to identify and deanonymize specific Tor users on their network[9]. The Tor Project generally does not recommend using a VPN with Tor unless you are an advanced user who knows how to configure both without compromising your privacy, because misconfiguration can reduce anonymity or break Tor's protections[10].
Before you install, verify the file's signature as a standard step[1]. This confirms the download has not been modified in transit. There is no refund or rollback process because the software is free, but you can uninstall and reinstall from an official source at any time.
Common questions
How to access dark web safely
Start with the official Tor Browser from the Tor Project website, Google Play, F-Droid, or GetTor, and verify the file's signature before installing[3][1]. On Android you need version 8.0 or newer; on iOS use Onion Browser or Orbot, which only protect traffic inside the app[1][8][7]. Avoid searching app stores for 'Tor Browser' because the EFF warns that results include for-profit clones bundled with unvetted VPNs[5].
How to enter dark web in Tor
Install Tor Browser from an official source, open it, and tap 'Connect' to establish a Tor circuit[3][1]. Then visit check.torproject.org to confirm the browser is configured to use Tor. Once connected, you can enter .onion addresses directly in the address bar; Tor Browser only tunnels traffic within the app, so other apps keep using your normal connection[7].
What is the best dark web browser?
For desktop and Android, Tor Browser is the only official mobile browser supported by the Tor Project and is based on Mozilla Firefox for Android[1][6]. On iOS the Tor Project recommends Onion Browser and Orbot, but Apple requires WebKit, so Onion Browser cannot use the Firefox Gecko engine that Tor Browser uses elsewhere[8]. The safest choice is the official Tor Browser from the Tor Project website, not a third-party clone[3][5].
Is the Tor Browser free?
Yes, Tor Browser is free, and the Tor Project states it will always be free[6]. The Tor Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in the US, not a commercial service[6]. You do not need an account or subscription to download or use it[3][1].
Does a dark web browser make you anonymous?
No, Tor Browser does not guarantee anonymity, and the Tor Project offers no legal guarantees of protection from surveillance[6]. On iOS, Onion Browser only tunnels traffic within the app, and logging into websites you normally access outside Tor may let the site identify you and know you are using Tor[7]. Connecting directly to Tor also makes your connection stand out to your ISP or local network administrators, who have correlated such traffic in the past to identify specific Tor users[9].
Can you be tracked while using Tor?
Yes, tracking is possible, especially if you log into accounts you normally use outside Tor, because the website may identify you and know you are using Tor[7]. Privacy Guides notes that network administrators have detected and correlated Tor traffic in the past to deanonymize specific users on their network[9]. Tor Browser only protects traffic inside the app, so activity in other apps continues over your normal connection[7].
Do I need a VPN with Tor?
The Tor Project generally does not recommend using a VPN with Tor unless you are an advanced user who knows how to configure both without compromising privacy[10]. Misconfiguration can reduce anonymity or break Tor's protections, and a direct Tor connection may stand out to your ISP or local network administrators[10][9]. If you do combine them, you need to understand traffic correlation risks and the correct configuration order[10][9].
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