Orbot
Tor VPN
Free
1.7.0for iPhone, iPad and more
6.1
774 Ratings
The Tor Project
Developer
40.4 MB
Size
Mar 5, 2024
Update Date
Utilities
Category
4+
Age Rating
Age Rating
Orbot Screenshots
About Orbot
Orbot is the original free and open-source Tor-powered VPN for iOS and macOS. Orbot helps you access the internet with more safety and privacy, and no extra cost to you.
FEATURES:
- Browse the internet over Tor.
- Secure your traffic from insecure wireless networks and ISPs.
- Access .onion sites that are only accessible over Tor.
DISCLAIMERS:
- Web browsing is much slower than through a normal VPN because your traffic is encrypted and relayed through the Tor network.
- Orbot might not work on networks with advanced network restrictions. If the app does not connect, try using bridges (or a different type of bridge).
- Use of Orbot is at your own risk; remember that sensitive data does not always belong on a mobile device.
** Orbot is free and open-source software. You can read more about Orbot and how to support development of Tor on iOS by visiting orbot.app **
FEATURES:
- Browse the internet over Tor.
- Secure your traffic from insecure wireless networks and ISPs.
- Access .onion sites that are only accessible over Tor.
DISCLAIMERS:
- Web browsing is much slower than through a normal VPN because your traffic is encrypted and relayed through the Tor network.
- Orbot might not work on networks with advanced network restrictions. If the app does not connect, try using bridges (or a different type of bridge).
- Use of Orbot is at your own risk; remember that sensitive data does not always belong on a mobile device.
** Orbot is free and open-source software. You can read more about Orbot and how to support development of Tor on iOS by visiting orbot.app **
Show More
What's New in the Latest Version 1.7.0
Last updated on Mar 5, 2024
Old Versions
With this update, Orbot for iOS should be usable again for many people!
To reduce RAM usage (and hence don't let it get killed by the iOS memory watchdog), do the following:
- Clear the Tor cache on every start. (There's a setting which does that automatically!)
- Disable GeoIP usage. (That's a new setting, also.)
- Unfortunately, we had to remove bridge support (Obfs4proxy and Snowflake), that also uses too much RAM.
- iOS 17.3.1 seems to have a bug with VPNs. A device restart might help.
The macOS version still has all the features, including bridge support, since there's no RAM limit there.
Changelog:
- Removed support for Obfs4proxy and Snowflake on iOS to reduce RAM usage.
- Added toggle to disable GeoIP which reduces RAM usage on iOS.
- Updated leaf dependency used for routing traffic.
- Updated Snowflake support for macOS.
To reduce RAM usage (and hence don't let it get killed by the iOS memory watchdog), do the following:
- Clear the Tor cache on every start. (There's a setting which does that automatically!)
- Disable GeoIP usage. (That's a new setting, also.)
- Unfortunately, we had to remove bridge support (Obfs4proxy and Snowflake), that also uses too much RAM.
- iOS 17.3.1 seems to have a bug with VPNs. A device restart might help.
The macOS version still has all the features, including bridge support, since there's no RAM limit there.
Changelog:
- Removed support for Obfs4proxy and Snowflake on iOS to reduce RAM usage.
- Added toggle to disable GeoIP which reduces RAM usage on iOS.
- Updated leaf dependency used for routing traffic.
- Updated Snowflake support for macOS.
Show More
Version History
1.7.0
Mar 5, 2024
With this update, Orbot for iOS should be usable again for many people!
To reduce RAM usage (and hence don't let it get killed by the iOS memory watchdog), do the following:
- Clear the Tor cache on every start. (There's a setting which does that automatically!)
- Disable GeoIP usage. (That's a new setting, also.)
- Unfortunately, we had to remove bridge support (Obfs4proxy and Snowflake), that also uses too much RAM.
- iOS 17.3.1 seems to have a bug with VPNs. A device restart might help.
The macOS version still has all the features, including bridge support, since there's no RAM limit there.
Changelog:
- Removed support for Obfs4proxy and Snowflake on iOS to reduce RAM usage.
- Added toggle to disable GeoIP which reduces RAM usage on iOS.
- Updated leaf dependency used for routing traffic.
- Updated Snowflake support for macOS.
To reduce RAM usage (and hence don't let it get killed by the iOS memory watchdog), do the following:
- Clear the Tor cache on every start. (There's a setting which does that automatically!)
- Disable GeoIP usage. (That's a new setting, also.)
- Unfortunately, we had to remove bridge support (Obfs4proxy and Snowflake), that also uses too much RAM.
- iOS 17.3.1 seems to have a bug with VPNs. A device restart might help.
The macOS version still has all the features, including bridge support, since there's no RAM limit there.
Changelog:
- Removed support for Obfs4proxy and Snowflake on iOS to reduce RAM usage.
- Added toggle to disable GeoIP which reduces RAM usage on iOS.
- Updated leaf dependency used for routing traffic.
- Updated Snowflake support for macOS.
1.6.7
Dec 23, 2023
- Updated Tor to latest version 0.4.8.10.
- Updated Ukrainian translation.
- Updated Snowflake to latest version 2.8.0.
- Updated Ukrainian translation.
- Updated Snowflake to latest version 2.8.0.
1.6.6
Oct 31, 2023
- Added Croatian translation.
- Updated Spanish translation.
- Updated Snowflake to latest version 2.7.0.
- Fixed Snowflake AMP support.
- Updated Tor to latest version 0.4.8.7.
- Show new circuit type "CONFLUX_LINKED" in circuits list.
- Updated Spanish translation.
- Updated Snowflake to latest version 2.7.0.
- Fixed Snowflake AMP support.
- Updated Tor to latest version 0.4.8.7.
- Show new circuit type "CONFLUX_LINKED" in circuits list.
1.6.5
Oct 4, 2023
The growth of the Tor network unfortunately makes the client use a lot of RAM,
which brings us near the limit of 50 MB RAM, a "Network Extension" (also known as "VPN")
is allowed to use. This limit is in iOS only, Hence the following changes are iOS only:
- Brought back "Clear Cache" button on the home screen.
- Added setting to always clear the cache automatically before start.
- Reduced `MaxMemInQueues` to 5 MB again.
Recent problems with bridges are also addressed:
- Updated Snowflake configuration to make it work again.
- Added Meek Azure support, since it still works, albeight often slowly.
- Removed deprecated CAPTCHA support which is now completely replaced by automatic configuration.
- Improved "Ask Tor" auto-configuration:
- Update built-in Obfs4 and Snowflake configuration on the fly without the need for a new app release.
- Store private Obfs4 bridges for later use if we happen to receive any.
(Check out "Custom bridges" after you pressed "Ask Tor", it might contain bridge lines.)
- Fixed minor issue where the "strict nodes" setting didn't show its real state.
- Improved minor details in edge cases.
which brings us near the limit of 50 MB RAM, a "Network Extension" (also known as "VPN")
is allowed to use. This limit is in iOS only, Hence the following changes are iOS only:
- Brought back "Clear Cache" button on the home screen.
- Added setting to always clear the cache automatically before start.
- Reduced `MaxMemInQueues` to 5 MB again.
Recent problems with bridges are also addressed:
- Updated Snowflake configuration to make it work again.
- Added Meek Azure support, since it still works, albeight often slowly.
- Removed deprecated CAPTCHA support which is now completely replaced by automatic configuration.
- Improved "Ask Tor" auto-configuration:
- Update built-in Obfs4 and Snowflake configuration on the fly without the need for a new app release.
- Store private Obfs4 bridges for later use if we happen to receive any.
(Check out "Custom bridges" after you pressed "Ask Tor", it might contain bridge lines.)
- Fixed minor issue where the "strict nodes" setting didn't show its real state.
- Improved minor details in edge cases.
1.6.4
Sep 11, 2023
- Improved reliability of Snowflake:
- Updated built-in bridge list (incl. Snowflake configuration).
- iOS: Keep iOS from killing the VPN, when the start takes longer.
- iOS: Increased default `MaxMemInQueues` from 5 to 10 MB, as it looks like we have more headroom now due to the Tor patch.
- Updated built-in bridge list (incl. Snowflake configuration).
- iOS: Keep iOS from killing the VPN, when the start takes longer.
- iOS: Increased default `MaxMemInQueues` from 5 to 10 MB, as it looks like we have more headroom now due to the Tor patch.
1.6.3
Aug 31, 2023
- Updated Tor to latest 0.4.8.4.
- Added patch to Tor which improves memory consumption with a warm cache on startup.
- Restarts should now be much faster again if the cache contains valid data.
- Added patch to Tor which improves memory consumption with a warm cache on startup.
- Restarts should now be much faster again if the cache contains valid data.
1.6.2
Aug 29, 2023
- Updated Tor to 0.4.7.14, updated Snowflake and Obfs4proxy now known as "Lyrebird".
- iOS: Always clear Tor cache on startup to increase reliability. Removed explicit buttons to clear the cache.
- macOS: No RAM limit there, so removed unneeded `MaxMemInQueues` limitation.
- Allow to override `MaxMemInQueues`, so advanced users can experiment with it.
- Added Arabic translation.
- Content blocker: Persist changes right away.
- Removed LZMA library to save some RAM.
- iOS: Always clear Tor cache on startup to increase reliability. Removed explicit buttons to clear the cache.
- macOS: No RAM limit there, so removed unneeded `MaxMemInQueues` limitation.
- Allow to override `MaxMemInQueues`, so advanced users can experiment with it.
- Added Arabic translation.
- Content blocker: Persist changes right away.
- Removed LZMA library to save some RAM.
1.6.1
Jun 30, 2023
- Workaround for problems on iOS 16.5: Added watchdog which tries to start again, if start failed.
- Added a prominent "Clear Tor Cache" button for easier access to remedy problems easier.
- Remote Control: Improved reliability of other apps starting Tor.
- Remote Control: Allow authorized apps to stop Tor.
- Added Tor status widget. (Reliability limited due to iOS limitations!)
- Added a prominent "Clear Tor Cache" button for easier access to remedy problems easier.
- Remote Control: Improved reliability of other apps starting Tor.
- Remote Control: Allow authorized apps to stop Tor.
- Added Tor status widget. (Reliability limited due to iOS limitations!)
1.6.0
Apr 11, 2023
- Improved Smart Connect: Don't stop, if auto-config server cannot be reached.
- Improved Smart Connect UI.
- Improved manual bridge configuration UI.
- Added configurable Smart Connect timeout for user testing.
- Updated Obfs4proxy and Snowflake libraries.
- Support multiple Snowflake bridges.
- Added setting: Switch back to the last VPN after Tor stops.
- New app icon.
- New illustrations.
- Updated translations.
- Updated Tor to 0.4.7.13.
- Improved Smart Connect UI.
- Improved manual bridge configuration UI.
- Added configurable Smart Connect timeout for user testing.
- Updated Obfs4proxy and Snowflake libraries.
- Support multiple Snowflake bridges.
- Added setting: Switch back to the last VPN after Tor stops.
- New app icon.
- New illustrations.
- Updated translations.
- Updated Tor to 0.4.7.13.
1.5.0
Dec 27, 2022
- Introduced new design including our new maskot "Orbie"!
- Added "Smart Connect" feature to aid in finding a working connection.
- Added exit-node country selector.
- Updated Tor to version 0.4.7.12.
- Added "Smart Connect" feature to aid in finding a working connection.
- Added exit-node country selector.
- Updated Tor to version 0.4.7.12.
1.4.2
Dec 14, 2022
- Applied yet another fix for onion-only mode.
1.4.1
Nov 29, 2022
- Updated Tor to 0.4.7.11.
- Fixed translation bugs in macOS version.
- "Restart on error" now defaults to on, if never changed.
- Fixed onion-only mode on iOS 16.
- Fixed translation bugs in macOS version.
- "Restart on error" now defaults to on, if never changed.
- Fixed onion-only mode on iOS 16.
1.4.0
Oct 19, 2022
- Updated Tor to 0.4.7.10.
- Updated Obfs4proxy to 0.0.14.
- Updated Snowflake to 2.3.1.
- Added a native macOS version.
- Updated Russian translation.
- Added option to automatically restart on error.
- Added option to clear the Tor cache.
- Added pluggable transports (bridges) log.
- Updated Obfs4proxy to 0.0.14.
- Updated Snowflake to 2.3.1.
- Added a native macOS version.
- Updated Russian translation.
- Added option to automatically restart on error.
- Added option to clear the Tor cache.
- Added pluggable transports (bridges) log.
1.3.1
Jul 11, 2022
- Updated Tor to 0.4.7.8.
- Removed explicit bypass setting. Bypass now only gets activated, if there's an app registered, which needs it.
Will be switched off again, after all bypass apps were removed.
- Removed explicit bypass setting. Bypass now only gets activated, if there's an app registered, which needs it.
Will be switched off again, after all bypass apps were removed.
1.3.0
Jun 15, 2022
- Updates:
- Tor 0.4.7.7
- Snowflake 2.2.0
- German, French, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian translations
- Added button to replace currently built circuits with fresh ones.
- Added possibility to add any Tor configuration option.
- Grouped all settings in a drop-down menu.
- Added a "Content Blocker" extension with an editor for custom rules.
- Added a (dangerous!) "onion-only mode".
- Added a (secured) bypass feature for e.g. apps with their own Tor.
- Added bridges auto-configuration option.
- Tor 0.4.7.7
- Snowflake 2.2.0
- German, French, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian translations
- Added button to replace currently built circuits with fresh ones.
- Added possibility to add any Tor configuration option.
- Grouped all settings in a drop-down menu.
- Added a "Content Blocker" extension with an editor for custom rules.
- Added a (dangerous!) "onion-only mode".
- Added a (secured) bypass feature for e.g. apps with their own Tor.
- Added bridges auto-configuration option.
1.2.0
Mar 27, 2022
- Update to Tor 0.4.6.10 and Leaf 0.4.2
- Improved accessibility/screen reader compatibility.
- Added UI to configure Tor's `EntryNodes`, `ExitNodes`, `ExcludeNodes` and `StrictNodes` options.
- Fixed GeoIP support.
- Added French, Russian, Spanish and Ukrainian translation.
- Improved accessibility/screen reader compatibility.
- Added UI to configure Tor's `EntryNodes`, `ExitNodes`, `ExcludeNodes` and `StrictNodes` options.
- Fixed GeoIP support.
- Added French, Russian, Spanish and Ukrainian translation.
1.1.0
Feb 25, 2022
Orbot FAQ
Orbot is available in regions other than the following restricted countries:
China
Orbot supports English, Arabic, Croatian, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian
Click here to learn how to download Orbot in restricted country or region.
Check the following list to see the minimum requirements of Orbot.
iPhone
Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
iPad
Requires iPadOS 15.0 or later.
Mac
Requires macOS 11.0 or later.
iPod touch
Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
