Getting started
How to Use Tor Browser on Android
Yes, there's a real, official Tor Browser for Android — free, open-source, and made by the same non-profit as the desktop version. The tricky part is that app stores are full of unofficial “Tor” apps that aren't it. This guide shows you how to install the right one, connect for the first time, and understand what Tor on a phone does (and doesn't) protect.
Quick answer
The quick version
Open Google Play → search “Tor Browser” → make sure the developer says The Tor Project → Install → Open → tap Connect. That's the whole setup. Ignore every other “Tor” app in the results — the official one is free, with no ads and no bundled VPN.
Before you install: watch out for fake “Tor” apps
Search “Tor” in the Play Store and you'll see dozens of results — most of them unofficial, for-profit apps that borrow the name. Some bundle ads or unknown “VPNs,” and they are not reviewed or endorsed by the Tor Project. The same caution applies as on desktop: only the official app protects you the way Tor is supposed to.
How to spot the real one
The developer must be The Tor Project, the app is free with no ads and no “premium” tier. If you prefer to skip the store entirely, download the Android app straight from torproject.org/download — the same rule we explain in is Tor safe?
Installing Tor Browser on Android (step by step)
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Open the Google Play Store
On your Android phone or tablet, open the Play Store app.
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Search for “Tor Browser”
Type Tor Browser in the search bar and open the result.
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Check the developer
Confirm the developer line says The Tor Project. That's the official app; everything else is a look-alike.
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Install and open
Tap Install, wait for it to download, then tap Open.
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Tap “Connect”
On the welcome screen, tap Connect. After a few seconds you're on the Tor network. Tip: switch on “Always connect automatically” so the app connects by itself next time.
Tor blocked on your network?
If Connect hangs, your network may block Tor. The Android app has the same fix as desktop — a bridge. See how to set up Tor bridges and what to do when Tor won't connect.
What Tor on Android does — and doesn't do
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✔ Same protection as desktop, inside the browser
Your browsing goes through three relays with layered encryption: sites don't see your IP, and your carrier or Wi-Fi owner doesn't see which sites you visit. (Details: is Tor anonymous?)
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✘ It doesn't cover your other apps
Only what happens inside the Tor Browser app is protected. Messengers, email, and other apps use your normal connection. To route other apps through Tor, the Tor Project offers a separate app called Orbot — but for private browsing you don't need it.
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✔ Private by default
No history is kept between sessions, and tracker blocking works the same as on desktop.
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✘ It won't be as fast as your normal browser
Three relays cost speed on mobile just like on desktop — that's normal. (Why, and what helps: why is Tor so slow?)
Using an iPhone or iPad?
There's no official Tor Browser for iOS
Apple's platform rules don't allow a full Tor Browser on iOS. The Tor Project instead recommends Onion Browser — a free, open-source app that connects to the Tor network on iPhone and iPad.
Tips for staying private on mobile
Your mobile checklist
Keep the app updated. Don't log into personal accounts when you want anonymity. Don't install “Tor + VPN” combo apps from unknown developers. Remember that only browser traffic is protected — what you do in other apps is not. And download the app only from Google Play (developer: The Tor Project) or torproject.org.
The bottom line
Tor on Android is the real thing: the same three-relay privacy as on a computer, in a free official app. The only real pitfall is installing a fake — so check the developer name, tap Connect, and you're browsing privately in under five minutes. Setting up on a computer too? Our full installation guide covers Windows and macOS.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an official Tor Browser for Android?
Yes. The Tor Project publishes an official Tor Browser app for Android. Install it from Google Play (check that the developer is The Tor Project) or download it from the official torproject.org website. It's free and open-source, just like the desktop version.
Is Tor Browser safe on Android?
Yes — the official app gives you the same three-relay, layered-encryption protection as Tor on a computer. The main risk on mobile is installing a fake “Tor” app instead of the real one: always check the developer name, and avoid unofficial apps that bundle ads or unknown VPNs.
Does Tor on Android protect all my apps?
No. The Tor Browser app protects only what you do inside the browser itself — other apps use your normal connection. If you want to route other apps through Tor, the Tor Project's separate app Orbot can do that, but for private browsing the Tor Browser alone is enough.
Is there a Tor Browser for iPhone?
Not an official one — Apple's platform restrictions don't allow it. The Tor Project recommends Onion Browser, a free, open-source app that connects to the Tor network on iPhone and iPad.