This tutorial will guide you through the steps required to browse the web anonymously (without having to use a VPN or paid service) on your Android phone.
Please note: even though this guide was initially published way back in 2009, it has been updated to be current in 2021 and beyond.
We’ve covered this software before, but on a Mac. This time we’re going to use the same service (Tor) but with a slightly different browser – one that works on Android devices.
In a nutshell, Tor works by encrypting your traffic and sending it through a series of servers in the Tor network. The last relay sends the traffic out onto the public Internet. To get a better understanding of how it all works, see the documentation (it’s a bit technical but they do a great job of explaining in an understandable way).
When you’re using Tor you don’t need to use a VPN as well, but it doesn’t hurt. When you use Tor without a VPN it’s still incredibly difficult to determine who you are.
One last thing before we jump in – surfing the web using Tor is slow. Very slow. You really need to exercise patience when you’re using Tor. You’ve been warned :) Some sites may not function as expected, and that’s Tor protecting you.
View Comments
This is the best tip of the day! I can't live without my Android you know. :)
Do I have to use "Shadow" browser? I use OperaTOR desktop. No additional software required. It's very slow though compared to plain Opera.