To download Onion safely, start at the official Tor Project site https://download.torproject.org/ over HTTPS[1]. You get Tor Browser for Windows, macOS, Linux, or Android at no cost[2][3]; iOS users get the free Onion Browser, which requires iOS 15.0 or later and is slower[4]. First step: open that official page and choose your platform.
Download methods and requirements
| Method | Cost | Time to download | Requirements | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Tor Project website (desktop: Windows, macOS, Linux) | Free [2] | Depends on connection speed | HTTPS-capable browser; Windows (i686/x86_64), macOS (Universal), or GNU/Linux (x86_64/aarch64) [3] | May be blocked on some networks [1]; signature verification requires GnuPG and manual key import [5] |
| Official Tor Project website (Android) | Free [2] | Depends on connection speed | Android device with aarch64, armv7, or x86_64 architecture [6] | May be blocked on some networks [1]; signature verification requires GnuPG and manual key import [5] |
| Official mirrors (EFF, La Cebolla) | Free [2] | Depends on connection speed | Access to mirror sites; same platform requirements as official site [3] | Recommended only when official site is blocked [1]; signature verification still required [5] |
| GetTor service (Dropbox, Google Drive, GitHub) | Free [2] | Depends on connection speed and hosting platform | Email or access to Dropbox/Google Drive/GitHub; same platform requirements [3] | Recommended only when official site is blocked [1]; signature verification still required [5] |
| Onion Browser (iOS/iPadOS) | Free [7] | Depends on connection speed | iOS 15.0 or later (iPadOS 15.0 or later for iPad) [4] | Not official Tor Browser [8]; uses WebKit, so cannot offer same privacy protections as desktop Tor Browser [8]; much slower than normal browser or VPN [4]; may not work on networks with advanced restrictions unless bridges are used [4] |
| Google Play (Tor Browser for Android) | Free [2] | Depends on connection speed | Android device with Google Play access; aarch64, armv7, or x86_64 architecture [6] | Only official mobile browser from Tor Project [2]; signature verification via Play Store automatic |
How to Get Tor Browser or Onion Browser
Decide which device you're using
Tor Browser is available for Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux, and Android. There is no official Tor Browser for iOS, so iPhone and iPad users should install Onion Browser instead. Check your device type before downloading, because the steps differ slightly for desktop, Android, and iOS.
Download from the official source
For desktop or Android, go to https://download.torproject.org/ and choose your platform. The connection uses HTTPS, which makes tampering with the file much harder[1]. If that site is blocked on your network, use official mirrors through EFF or La Cebolla, or request links via the GetTor service, which hosts files on Dropbox, Google Drive, and GitHub[1].
Pick the right version for your system
The download page lists Tor Browser 16.0 as the current Stable release and 16.0a14 as the current Alpha[6]. Desktop installers are separate for Windows (i686 and x86_64), macOS (Universal), and GNU/Linux (x86_64 and aarch64)[3]. Android APK builds are split by architecture: aarch64, armv7, and x86_64[6]. Choose Stable unless you specifically want to test pre-release features.
Verify the signature before installing
Every Tor Browser package comes with a '.asc' OpenPGP signature file that has the same name as the package[5]. Import the Tor Browser Developers signing key (0xEF6E286DDA85EA2A4BA7DE684E2C6E8793298290), then run a GnuPG command on the downloaded file[5]. A successful check returns 'Good signature from "Tor Browser Developers (signing key) torbrowser@torproject.org"'[5]. This confirms the file is exactly what the Tor Project intended to distribute.
Install and open the browser
Run the installer on desktop or the APK on Android, then launch the browser. The first launch may take a few seconds while Tor establishes a connection to the network. Tor Browser is distributed as a single multi-locale download, and you can change the language later from the General settings menu[9].
For iOS: install Onion Browser from the App Store
Search for 'Onion Browser' in the App Store and check that the developer is Mike Tigas. It requires iOS 15.0 or later, or iPadOS 15.0 or later for iPad[4]. The app is free and open-source, and its source code is hosted on GitHub under the OnionBrowser/OnionBrowser repository[10]. The most recent release, v3.4.3 from 13 October, updated Tor to 0.4.9.14, OpenSSL to 3.6.5, Snowflake to 2.15.1, and Lyrebird to 0.9.0[11].
Check that the connection works
Open the browser and wait for the start page to confirm that you are connected to the Tor network. On iOS, expect browsing to be much slower than a normal browser or VPN because traffic is encrypted and relayed through Tor[4]. If a network blocks Tor, you may need to configure bridges; Onion Browser warns that it may not work on networks with advanced restrictions unless bridges are used[4]. Some websites only work on Tor, and these .onion domains are harder to shut down or censor[6].
Risks, Limitations, and Guarantees
Tor Browser and Onion Browser are always free, and the Tor Project operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit[2]. No legitimate version will ever ask you to pay. If the official Tor Project website is blocked on your network, you can use official mirrors through EFF or La Cebolla, or request links via the GetTor service, which hosts files on Dropbox, Google Drive, and GitHub[1]. Downloading from unofficial sites or third-party app stores risks tampered packages, so stick to the official sources listed above.
Every Tor Browser release comes with a '.asc' OpenPGP signature file that lets you verify the download is exactly what the Tor Project intended to distribute[5]. To check, import the Tor Browser Developers signing key (0xEF6E286DDA85EA2A4BA7DE684E2C6E8793298290) and run a GnuPG command; a successful check returns 'Good signature from "Tor Browser Developers (signing key) torbrowser@torproject.org"'[5]. Skipping this step means you cannot be certain the file is authentic.
There is no official Tor Browser for iOS[8]. The Tor Project instead recommends Onion Browser, which uses Tor routing but cannot offer the same privacy protections as Tor Browser because Apple requires iOS browsers to use WebKit[8]. Onion Browser warns that web browsing is much slower than a normal browser or VPN because traffic is encrypted and relayed through the Tor network, and that it may not work on networks with advanced restrictions unless bridges are used[4]. If you need the full protections of Tor Browser, use a desktop or Android device.
Common questions
How do I download Onion Browser for iOS?
Search for 'Onion Browser' in the App Store and check that the developer is Mike Tigas. It requires iOS 15.0 or later, or iPadOS 15.0 or later for iPad[4]. The app is free and open-source, with source code hosted on GitHub under the OnionBrowser/OnionBrowser repository[10].
Is there an Onion Browser APK for Android?
There is no Onion Browser APK for Android. Tor Browser for Android is the only official mobile browser supported by the Tor Project, and it is always free[2]. The official download page lists separate APK builds for Android aarch64, armv7, and x86_64 architectures[6].
What is the official site to download Tor Browser?
The official site is https://download.torproject.org/, where the connection is secured using HTTPS to make tampering much harder[1]. If that site is blocked on your network, Tor Project recommends official mirrors through EFF or La Cebolla, or the GetTor service with links hosted on Dropbox, Google Drive, and GitHub[1].
Can I access .onion sites without downloading anything?
Some websites only work on Tor, and these .onion domains are harder to shut down or censor[6]. Accessing them normally requires a Tor-capable browser like Tor Browser or Onion Browser. Without downloading anything, you would need a third-party web-to-Tor gateway, which reduces privacy and is not an official Tor Project method.
How do I verify a Tor Browser download signature?
Every Tor Browser release comes with a '.asc' OpenPGP signature file with the same name as the package[5]. Import the Tor Browser Developers signing key (0xEF6E286DDA85EA2A4BA7DE684E2C6E8793298290), then run a GnuPG command on the downloaded file[5]. A successful check returns 'Good signature from "Tor Browser Developers (signing key) torbrowser@torproject.org"'[5].
Explore More on Safe Browsing
Discover additional guides and tips for your online safety.
Visit Our ResourcesWorks cited
- 1
- How to download Tor Browser — Tor Project Support
- 2
- Tor Browser — Google Play
- 3
- Tor Browser for Desktop — Tor Project
- 4
- Onion Browser — App Store
- 5
- Verify Tor Browser's signature — Tor Project Support
- 6
- Tor Browser for Android — Tor Project
- 7
- Onion Browser — official site
- 8
- Installing — Getting started — Tor Browser (Tor Project Support)
- 9
- Tor Project | Download Tor Browser
- 10
- OnionBrowser/OnionBrowser — GitHub
- 11
- Releases · OnionBrowser/OnionBrowser · GitHub
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