Download Onion: Accessing Hidden Content
Accessing Onion services requires specific software. Learn how to download and set up tools for safe navigation on the deep web.
- Written:
- Updated: October 26, 2026
- Editor: Cassandra Delacroix
Downloading Tor Browser for secure access to hidden .onion content.
Downloading Tor Browser costs nothing and takes under five minutes from the official Tor Project page, where HTTPS makes tampering harder[1][2]. You get the desktop or Android browser plus an .asc signature file to verify the package with GnuPG[3]. Start at https://download.torproject.org/ and pick your operating system[1]. If that page is blocked, use the EFF or La Cebolla mirrors, or the GetTor service[1].
At a glance
| Options | Price | Timeframe | Requirements | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tor Browser (Official Website) | Free | Immediate | Secure connection via HTTPS | None |
| Tor Browser (Official Mirrors) | Free | Immediate | Access to EFF or La Cebolla mirrors | None |
| Onion Browser (iOS) | Free | Immediate | iOS device, App Store access | Limited traffic protection, WebRTC leaks possible |
| Tor Browser (Android) | Free | Immediate | Google Play Store, F-Droid, or official site | None |
| GetTor Service | Free | Immediate | Access to GetTor service | None |
| Third-party Apps (App Stores) | Varies | Immediate | Access to app stores | May include unvetted VPNs, not endorsed by Tor Project |
How to Get It
- Download from the official source
Go to https://download.torproject.org/ and select your operating system. The connection uses HTTPS, which makes tampering with the file during download much harder[1]. Tor Browser is free and open source; any version that asks for payment is fake[2].
- Pick an alternative route if the site is blocked
- Verify the package signature
Each file on the download page comes with a '.asc' OpenPGP signature file. Import the Tor Browser Developers signing key with fingerprint 0xEF6E286DDA85EA2A4BA7DE684E2C6E8793298290 into GnuPG, then verify the signature to confirm the package is exactly what the Tor Project intended to distribute[3].
- Install on Android through official channels
Tor Browser for Android is available on Google Play, F-Droid, the Tor Project website, and GetTor. If you are unsure of your device's architecture, install it only from app stores[5]. The EFF warns that searching for 'Tor Browser' in app stores returns dozens of mostly for-profit apps that may not be endorsed by the Tor Project and may come bundled with unvetted VPNs[4].
- Use Onion Browser on iOS with known limits
On iOS, Onion Browser only tunnels traffic within the app; network traffic outside the app is not protected[6]. Some traffic, including audio or video embeds, may route via the normal connection rather than over Tor[6]. WebRTC can leak your real IP address when using Onion Browser's built-in Tor, so the Onion Browser team recommends using Orbot instead[7].
- Check what Tor Browser blocks by default
Tor Browser blocks browser plugins such as Flash, RealPlayer, and QuickTime because they can be manipulated to reveal your real IP address. The Tor Project also warns against torrenting over Tor[8].
- Confirm the install works
After installation, open Tor Browser and check that it connects to the Tor network. On iOS, note that Apple requires all browser apps to use WebKit, which prevents Onion Browser from compiling its own Firefox Gecko-based engine like Tor Browser on desktop and Android[6]. Apple also limits Network Extension apps to 50 MB of RAM, which can cause Orbot's Tor client on iOS to be killed and restarted[7]. Apps on iOS cannot fork subprocesses, so Tor must run as a thread inside the app process, making a system-wide Tor app like Orbot on Android impossible on that platform[9].
Risks, Limitations, and Guarantees
Downloading Tor Browser from the official website is generally safe, but there are risks to be aware of. Always verify the downloaded package using the provided .asc signature file to ensure it hasn't been tampered with[3]. If the official site is blocked, use trusted mirrors like those operated by EFF or La Cebolla[1].
On iOS, Onion Browser has significant limitations. It only tunnels traffic within the app, leaving other network traffic unprotected[6]. Additionally, some types of traffic may bypass Tor altogether, and WebRTC can leak your real IP address[7]. The app is also constrained by Apple's policies, which can impact performance and functionality[6][7][9].
While Tor Browser is free and open source, any application that requires payment or claims to be Tor Browser is likely a scam[2]. Third-party apps found in app stores may not be endorsed by the Tor Project and could include unvetted VPNs[4]. Always check the app's legitimacy before downloading.
If you need to cancel or return a download, the process typically depends on the platform used. For software, it’s advisable to uninstall it directly from your device settings. Always prioritize downloading from official sources to minimize risks and ensure a secure browsing experience.
Your questions, answered
Are onion sites legal?
The legality of onion sites depends on what you do on them, not on the technology itself. Tor Browser is free and open source software distributed by the Tor Project, and downloading it from the official website is not illegal[2]. What matters is whether your activity on a given site violates the laws where you live, such as copyright infringement, fraud, or accessing illegal content.
Can I use Tor on my iPhone?
Yes, but with real limits. Onion Browser is the main option on iOS, and it only tunnels traffic within the app itself; network traffic outside the app is not protected and continues to use the normal connection[6]. Some traffic, including audio or video embeds, may route via the normal connection rather than over Tor[6].
Is Tor blocked in the USA?
Tor is not blocked at the national level in the USA, but individual networks, schools, or workplaces may block the official Tor Project website. If your network blocks it, the Tor Project directs you to official mirrors operated by EFF or La Cebolla, or to the GetTor service[1].
Is Tor Browser safe?
Tor Browser is safe when you download it from the official Tor Project website, where HTTPS makes tampering with the file during download much harder[1]. To confirm the package is exactly what the Tor Project intended to distribute, verify the .asc OpenPGP signature file that accompanies each download[3]. Any browser that forces you to pay while claiming to be Tor Browser is fake[2].
What is the difference between Tor Browser and Onion Browser?
Tor Browser on desktop and Android uses its own Firefox Gecko-based engine, while Apple requires all iOS browser apps to use the same WebKit/WKWebView engine, which prevents Onion Browser from compiling its own engine[6]. Onion Browser also only tunnels traffic within the app, leaving other network traffic unprotected, and WebRTC can leak your real IP address when using its built-in Tor[6][7].
Is there an official Tor Browser for iOS?
No, there is no official Tor Browser for iOS from the Tor Project. On iOS, apps are not allowed to fork subprocesses, so Tor must be compiled into the app binary and run as a thread inside the app process, making a system-wide Tor app like Orbot on Android impossible on that platform[9].
Why should I avoid downloading Tor from APK sites?
APK sites are not official sources, and the Tor Project advises installing Tor Browser for Android only from Google Play, F-Droid, the Tor Project website, or GetTor[5]. The EFF warns that searching for 'Tor Browser' in app stores returns dozens of mostly for-profit apps that may not be endorsed by the Tor Project and may come bundled with unvetted VPNs[4].
Explore More Resources on Onion Access
Dive deeper into our guides and tools for hidden content.
Visit Our ResourcesSources consulted
- 1
- Downloading - Getting started - Tor Browser — Tor
- 2
- Cost to use Tor Browser - General - Tor Browser — Tor
- 3
- Verify Tor Browser's signature - Getting started - Tor Browser — Tor
- 4
- How to: Use Tor on Android and iPhone | Surveillance Self-Defense
- 5
- MOBILE TOR | Tor Project | Tor Browser Manual
- 6
- Onion Browser
- 7
- Onion Browser
- 8
- Tor Project | Download
- 9
- Tor at the Heart: Onion Browser (and more iOS Tor) | The Tor Project
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