Orbot is a free open-source Tor VPN and proxy app for people who want to route other apps through the Tor network.6 On Android, you can choose which apps use it.1 It is worth considering when you want more privacy for an app connection, provided you understand what routing alone can protect.
Last checked October 28, 2026.
At a glance
- What it is: A Tor connection for other apps, through VPN or proxy mode.6
- Works on: Android.6 Also iPhone, iPad and Mac through the separate Apple app.7
- Price: Free; donations support development.1
- Licence: Android app: BSD-3-Clause; bundled components have their own licence terms.3
- Best for: People who want to send selected Android apps through Tor.
- Official site: orbot.app
What Orbot does and how it protects your privacy
Orbot encrypts internet traffic and sends it through Tor rather than connecting directly.6 Tor sends connections through three relays, with the final relay passing traffic onto the public internet.8 A relay is a computer that passes a connection along.
For traffic using Tor, websites see a Tor address instead of your real IP address, while your internet provider cannot see the websites you visit.8 An IP address is the network address a service sees when you connect. For background, read what your internet provider can still see.
Think of Orbot as changing the route your app takes. Identifying yourself to a service still reveals who you are to that service.8 Treat signing into your usual account as identifying yourself, even when the connection takes a more private route.
Orbot key features
- Android app selection: Choose which apps send their connections through Tor.1
- VPN mode: Route app traffic using Orbot’s VPN feature.6
- Proxy support: Orbot also provides a proxy connection for other software.6 A proxy is an intermediary an app connects through.
- Bridges: Alternative Tor entry points can help when your provider blocks Tor.2
- Onion services: Connect apps to services accessible only through Tor.1
Orbot pros and cons
Pros
- A useful choice when you want to add Tor routing to an existing app.
- Android app selection lets you start with a small, deliberate setup.
- Bridges provide another connection option when direct access fails.
- The source code is available for people to inspect and improve.1
Cons
- Connections can be slower because traffic travels through volunteer relays.2
- Someone monitoring your network connection may still see that you are using Tor.6
- Routing an ordinary browser through Tor lacks Tor Browser’s specific tracking and fingerprinting protections.8 Fingerprinting means recognising a browser from its distinctive settings and characteristics.
- On iOS, memory limits can cause repeated reconnections, according to Orbot’s FAQ.2
Is Orbot safe and private?
Orbot’s website credits Guardian Project contributors.1 The latest Android GitHub release is 17.9.7 RC 1, dated October 9, 2026, with Tor 0.4.9.14.5 RC means release candidate: a build intended for final testing, so do not assume every download channel carries the same version.
Orbot’s privacy policy says it does not directly collect user-activity data.4 It says there are no third-party analytics beyond what Google Play tracks.4 However, Google Play’s developer-provided data-safety section says personal information may be collected.6 Read those statements together rather than interpreting the policy as a blanket promise about every part of your phone.
The FAQ describes a local Tor cache on the device.2 Do not treat Tor routing as a storage or deletion policy for the apps you use. Review their permissions and storage settings separately, and keep using encrypted websites and messaging apps for sensitive content.
The Android 17.9.6 beta release notes report fixes for security-audit findings, including incomplete Tor/VPN cleanup.5 That is a reason to keep Orbot updated, rather than a guarantee that every version is free of flaws.
How to get started with Orbot
- Download from an official route. Start at Orbot’s download page, then follow its link for your device.
- Start small on Android. Pick one app you want to use through Tor before expanding your setup.
- Connect. The FAQ says to press the main button and wait for the 100% connected message.2
- Use VPN mode and select the Android apps to route. Review the selection carefully; do not assume your intended app is included.
- Check the relevant connection. For a browser routed through Orbot, the FAQ recommends visiting check.torproject.org.2 That browser check should not be treated as proof about a different app.
- Try your normal task. Open the selected app and check whether it works acceptably before relying on the setup.
Who should use Orbot, and who might prefer something else?
Orbot is a good fit when you have a particular Android app you want to route through Tor and are willing to trade some convenience for privacy. Start with a clear aim, such as separating a connection from your normal network address. Give yourself time to learn the connection controls before using it for something sensitive.
For browsing, the Tor Project recommends Tor Browser rather than routing another browser through Tor.8 Get it from the Tor Project. If your question is instead which apps should have internet access at all, start with the Academy guide to NetGuard before choosing your setup.
Frequently asked questions about Orbot
Is Orbot free?
Yes, Orbot is free.1 You can try it before deciding whether its connection behaviour suits your everyday apps.
Does Orbot work on iPhone?
Yes: the Apple listing supports iOS 15 or later, iPadOS 15 or later, and macOS 12 or later.7 Its current listed version is 1.14.0, released October 15, 2026.7 Android app-selection instructions should not be assumed to apply to the Apple version.
Does Orbot make every app anonymous?
No: choose it for connection privacy, and consider what the app itself knows about you. An account you deliberately sign into should still be treated as your account. Prefer Tor Browser for private web browsing rather than assuming a new route changes an ordinary browser’s behaviour.
Why is Orbot slow?
Tor’s volunteer relays introduce bottlenecks and delays, as Orbot’s FAQ explains.2 Try a simple reading or messaging task first and decide whether the wait is acceptable for your purpose.
