Getting started

How to install the Tor Browser

Getting set up takes about five minutes and costs nothing. This guide walks you through downloading the Tor Browser safely, installing it on your device, and making your very first private connection, in plain, beginner-friendly steps.

By the Tor Browser Guide editors · Updated

Quick answer

The short version

Go to torproject.org/download, download Tor Browser for your device, install it like any other app, and click Connect. It's free, it takes about five minutes, and there's nothing to configure. The one rule that matters: download it only from the official site. Tor Browser runs on Windows 10/11, macOS 10.15 or newer, Linux, and Android; on iPhone you'll need Onion Browser instead.

First, download from the right place

The single most important safety step is making sure you download Tor from its official source. Fake “Tor” downloads do exist, and they can be unsafe.

How to know you're on the official site

Tor Browser's official home is torproject.org. Type the address yourself, check that it starts with https://, and confirm the spelling is exactly torproject.org. After you click, the address bar shows download.torproject.org: that's the official download site. On Android, Google Play (developer: The Tor Project) is official too. Avoid “Tor” apps from ads and random mirrors. Advanced users can also verify the download's signature.

Open the official download page

Install Tor Browser on your device

Pick the steps for the device you're using. The process is short and you don't need to change any settings to get started.

Windows

  1. Visit the official download page

    Go to torproject.org/download, choose Get it for Desktop, then click Download for Windows (x86_64). Pick the i686 version only on an old 32-bit PC. This saves an installer file ending in .exe.

  2. Open the installer

    Find the file (usually in your Downloads folder) and double-click it. If Windows shows a security warning about a downloaded file, continue only if you just got it from the official site. If the warning mentions a bad or unknown signature, stop and download it again from the official page.

  3. Choose your language and install

    Select your language, keep the suggested location (your Desktop), and click Install. No administrator password is needed. Leave Run Tor Browser ticked and click Finish.

  4. Launch Tor Browser

    Next time, open it from the Start menu or desktop shortcut. If Tor Browser offers an update right after you install it, accept it. Then continue to the “first connection” step below.

macOS

  1. Visit the official download page

    Go to torproject.org/download, choose Get it for Desktop, then click Download for macOS (Universal). This saves a .dmg file. You need macOS 10.15 or newer.

  2. Open the disk image

    Double-click the downloaded .dmg file to open it. A window will appear showing the Tor Browser icon.

  3. Drag Tor Browser into Applications

    Drag the Tor Browser icon onto the Applications folder shown in the same window.

  4. Open it for the first time

    Open Tor Browser from your Applications folder. The first time, macOS asks you to confirm: choose Open. If macOS says the app is damaged or can't be opened, don't force it; delete it and download it again from the official site. Then continue to the “first connection” step below.

Linux

  1. Download the Linux version

    On the official download page, choose Get it for Desktop, then Download for GNU/Linux (x86_64). This saves a .tar.xz archive.

  2. Extract and start it

    Extract the archive, open the tor-browser folder, and double-click Tor Browser (start-tor-browser.desktop). To add it to your app menu, run ./start-tor-browser.desktop --register-app from that folder in a terminal.

Android

  1. Open the Google Play Store

    On your Android phone or tablet, open the Play Store app.

  2. Search for Tor Browser

    Search for Tor Browser. Pick the app named Tor Browser (not “Alpha,” which is a test version) and confirm the developer is The Tor Project.

  3. Install the app

    Tap Install and wait for it to download. Tor Browser is also available from the Guardian Project's F-Droid repository and as APK files on torproject.org/download.

  4. Open Tor Browser

    Tap Open, then continue to the “first connection” step below. (Want the full mobile walkthrough? See Tor Browser on Android.)

Using an iPhone or iPad?

Apple requires every iPhone browser to use its WebKit engine, so there's no Tor Browser for iOS. The Tor Project recommends Onion Browser instead. Here's how to set up Onion Browser safely.

Make your first connection

You're almost there. The first time you open the Tor Browser, it needs to connect to the Tor network.

  1. Click “Connect”

    When the Connect to Tor screen appears, click Connect. For most people, Tor connects within a few seconds, with no setup required. Tip: switch on “Always connect automatically” to skip this screen next time.

  2. Start browsing privately

    Once connected, use Tor Browser just like any normal browser. Type a web address or search, and your traffic is routed privately through the Tor network.

If Tor is blocked on your network

In some countries, schools, and workplaces, Tor is blocked. If Connect fails, click “Try a Bridge”: Tor Browser picks a bridge that works for your location. You can also click Configure Connection… and choose Select a built-in bridge…. Still stuck? See our guide to fixing Tor when it won't connect.

Is torproject.org itself blocked?

Use GetTor, the Tor Project's official delivery service: message @GetTor_Bot on Telegram, or email gettor@torproject.org with one word in the message body: windows, osx, linux, or android. The Tor Project also lists official mirrors such as tor.eff.org. In Russia, Telegram and tor.eff.org are often blocked, and GetTor doesn't send download links to Mail.ru or Yandex addresses, so email it from a Gmail account.

Next: is Tor safe? Browse all guides

Frequently asked questions

Is the Tor Browser free?

Yes. Tor Browser is completely free and open-source, made by the non-profit Tor Project. There is no paid version: any “Tor Browser” that asks you to pay is a fake.

What are the system requirements for Tor Browser?

Tor Browser runs on Windows 10 and 11, macOS 10.15 or newer, modern 64-bit Linux, and Android 5.0 or newer. Tor Browser 16 will require Android 8 or newer. Windows 7 and 8.1 are no longer supported.

Windows warns me about the Tor Browser installer. What should I do?

Continue only if you downloaded the file yourself from the official torproject.org download page. If the warning mentions a bad or unknown signature, stop, delete the file, and download it again from the official page. Never look for a “fixed” installer on another site.

What if the Tor Project website is blocked where I live?

Use GetTor, the Tor Project's official service: message @GetTor_Bot on Telegram, or email gettor@torproject.org with one word in the message body: windows, osx, linux, or android. The Tor Project also lists official mirrors, such as tor.eff.org. In Russia, Telegram and tor.eff.org are often blocked, and GetTor doesn't send download links to Mail.ru or Yandex addresses, so email it from a Gmail account.

Can I install Tor Browser on an iPhone?

No. Apple requires every iPhone browser to use its WebKit engine, so there is no Tor Browser for iOS. The Tor Project recommends an app called Onion Browser instead.

Sources

We base this guide on official Tor Project documentation and independent sources. Links checked October 11, 2026.