How to Update Tor Browser Safely

Keeping Tor Browser up to date is essential for maintaining your anonymity and protecting your system against newly discovered security vulnerabilities. This guide provides a straightforward walkthrough on how to safely update Tor Browser across your devices using built-in automatic tools, manual verification methods, and essential security precautions to avoid malware or compromised downloads.

The easiest and safest way to update Tor Browser is through its native update mechanism, which automatically verifies the integrity of the update files.

  1. Open Tor Browser and connect to the Tor network.
  2. Check for notifications: When an update is ready, a green or yellow circle with an arrow will appear next to the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner of the browser window.
  3. Open the update menu: Click the hamburger menu icon.
  4. Select Update: Click on “Restart to update Tor Browser” if prompted, or navigate to Help > About Tor Browser.
  5. Download and apply: The browser will automatically check for, download, and apply the latest release.
  6. Restart the browser: Once the installation completes, restart Tor Browser to finalize the update.

Method 2: Manual Update via the Official Website

If your browser cannot connect to the update servers, update it manually using the official Tor Project website.

  1. Navigate directly to the official download page at https://www.torproject.org/download/.
  2. Download the installer for your specific operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
  3. Verify the signature (Optional but recommended): Download the corresponding .asc signature file from the same page and verify it using GnuPG to ensure the installer has not been tampered with.
  4. Run the installer to overwrite your existing installation. Your bookmarks, settings, and browsing history will remain intact as long as you install it into the existing directory.

Updating Tor Browser on Android

  1. Google Play Store: Open the Play Store, search for “Tor Browser,” and tap Update if a new version is available.
  2. F-Droid: If using F-Droid, ensure the “Guardian Project Official Releases” repository is enabled, update your repositories, and apply the update.
  3. Direct APK: Download the latest APK directly from the official Tor Project download page and run it to update the app.

Critical Safety Tips for Updating Tor