The Onion Router (TOR) provides a level of security and anonymity for internet browsing, and accessing it on your Android device can enhance your privacy. The Orbot app, developed by the Guardian Project, allows you to connect to TOR on Android. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to install and configure Orbot on your Android device.
Step 1: Install the F-Droid App
F-Droid is an installable catalogue of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) applications for the Android platform. To begin installing Orbot, you’ll first need to download and install the F-Droid app:
- Navigate to fdroid.org using your device’s web browser.
- Follow the instructions provided on the website to download and install the F-Droid app on your Android device.
Step 2: Open F-Droid
Once F-Droid is installed:
- Locate the F-Droid app on your device and open it.
Step 3: Enable the Guardian Project Repository
The Guardian Project repository needs to be enabled to download Orbot:
- Tap on the “Settings” button in the menu bar of the F-Droid app.
- Select “Repositories.”
- Toggle on the “Guardian Project” to enable it.
Step 4: Search for Orbot
With the repository enabled, you can now search for the Orbot app:
- Tap the “Latest” button from the menu bar to refresh the repository.
- Tap the “Search” button located in the bottom right corner of the app.
- Enter “Orbot” in the search bar and proceed to search.
Step 5: Install Orbot
Once you find Orbot in the search results:
- Tap the download button next to “Orbot: Proxy with Tor.”
- Follow the on-screen prompts to install Orbot on your device.
Step 6: Configure Orbot
After installing Orbot, you need to configure it for use:
- Open the Orbot app on your device.
- Tap the “More” button in the bottom right corner of the app.
- Select the “Settings” option from the list.
- Check the “Power User Mode” for additional options (optional).
Step 7: Connect to the TOR Network
Now, you are ready to connect to the TOR network through Orbot:
- Tap the “Back” button in the top left corner to return to the main screen.
- Tap the “Connect” button located in the bottom left corner.
- Press the purple “Connect” button in the middle to initiate the connection to TOR.
Conclusion
Once connected, your internet traffic is routed through the TOR network, providing increased privacy and security while browsing. Remember that while TOR can significantly increase your anonymity online, no system is foolproof. Always follow best practices for internet safety and privacy.