The dark web is a part of the internet that can usually only be accessed using a specialized browser. While it’s infamous for drug-slinging and other criminal activities, people also turn to the dark web for valuable anonymous activities like bypassing censorship, journalism, and whistle-blowing.
Accessing the dark web on a mobile device is relatively straightforward, but can be unsafe. Once you’ve made sure your device is protected with strong antivirus software, the steps listed below should work for both iOS and Android:
- Download and install a VPN app on your phone. This is essential to add an extra layer of protection when browsing the dark web. NordVPN is our top pick. It offers cutting-edge security features and has user-friendly mobile apps for different operating systems.
- Connect to a VPN server on the app. A server close to your location will offer better speeds.
- Open a browser app that lets you access the dark web. There is an official Tor browser app for Android. iPhone users can go for the Onion browser.
- Click on the connect button on the screen.
- Wait for the connection to be established. This can sometimes take between five and seven minutes.
- Once connected, you can access the dark web from your mobile device! Try navigating to an onion website to check if your connection is working. We’ve rounded up a few dark sites you can check out.
The dark web can be a dangerous place. It’s also important to note that smartphones, in general, aren’t the most privacy-friendly devices (think GPS tracking) and have plenty of vulnerabilities that can be exploited. Continue reading to learn how to access the dark web on phone without compromising your privacy and security.
Most people see the dark web as a hub of illegal activity. While this is somewhat true, there are a lot of useful websites on the dark web, too. These include websites that facilitate anonymous file sharing and top-secret journalism. A common query among netizens is how to access the dark web on a phone.
We’ve already covered how to get on the dark web using a computer. In this article, we’ll explain how you can access the dark web safely on a phone — both iPhone and Android.
Using a VPN is essential to mask your identity when visiting websites on the dark web. It prevents hackers and other parties from tracking you. After extensive tests, we’ve found NordVPN to be best suited for accessing the dark web on a phone as it’s mobile-friendly, secure, and offers specialized dark web servers.
How to Access the Dark Web on iPhone and Android: Step-by-Step Guide
Getting on the dark web using a mobile device is surprisingly easy. The steps vary slightly for Android and iPhone. But don’t worry, we’ve covered both operating systems below.
How to access the dark web on Android
Android users have to do very little to get on the dark net. In fact, accessing the dark web on your Android device may be easier than on your computer. Here’s how you do it:
- Get a subscription to a virtual private network (VPN) provider. We recommend NordVPN as it has a great Android app, a vast network of servers, and offers excellent security.
- Download the NordVPN app from the Play Store.
- Download the official Tor browser from the Play Store. This is the best dark web browser for Android.
- Open the NordVPN app and sign in with the credentials you created while signing up. Unsure about how to set up NordVPN on Android? Our detailed guide to installing a VPN on Android will take you through this process.
- Connect to a VPN server by hitting the quick connect button. This will connect you to a fast and secure nearby server.
- Open the Tor Browser app.
- Click on the large Connect button to connect to the Tor network.
- After this, you’ll be redirected to the browser’s homepage. It looks like any other browser, but you can access any dark website using it.
- Configure the Tor browser’s security settings before browsing further. We provide detailed instructions on how to do this later in the article.
- Use the search bar at the bottom of the screen to look for interesting sites on the dark web. If you need somewhere to start, check out our list of the best news sites on the dark web.
Overall, setting up your device to access the dark web on Android shouldn’t take more than five to 10 minutes.
How to access the dark web on an iPhone
Accessing the dark web on an iPhone is a little more complicated than on an Android device. This is because there’s no official Tor browser app for iOS yet. As a result, you’ll need to rely on other browsers that let you connect to the Tor network.
The Tor project recommends the Onion Browser, which we’re using for this tutorial. We recommend sticking to the Onion Browser, as other Tor browser apps on the AppStore may be fake or contain viruses that will infect your device.
Note:
While it is possible to use iPhone’s Lockdown Mode for extra security while browsing the dark web, we don’t necessarily recommend this. It will impact your device’s performance and your VPN and other Tor apps may not function properly with Lockdown Mode enabled.
- Subscribe to NordVPN.
- Download and install the NordVPN app from the App Store.
- Download and install the Onion Browser app on your iPhone.
- Get the Orbot app from the App Store. The Onion Browser requires this free proxy app to safely connect to the Tor network.
- Launch the NordVPN app and click the quick connect button to securely connect to a fast and secure VPN server.
- Go to the Orbot app and click on the “Start” button to initiate the process of creating a secure tunnel to the Tor network. Your Wi-Fi connection may fluctuate when Orbot is connecting to the Tor network.
- Open the Onion Browser app. You should see the homepage with icons of some popular dark websites.
- Configure the browser’s security settings by clicking on the settings gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. More instructions on this are provided later.
- Enjoy surfing the dark web safely on your iPhone!
Note:
While there’s no official Tor browser app for the iPhone, the Tor Project, which manages the Tor network used to access the dark web, recommends the Onion Browser. However, if you want to try an alternative, we’d recommend OrNet Browser, which boasts granular security control features.
How to access the dark web with NordVPN’s Onion Over VPN
Another way to access the dark web is using NordVPN’s Onion Over VPN. This is a feature unique to NordVPN.
When you activate Onion Over VPN, your internet traffic is routed through a NordVPN server and then via the Tor network. As a result, you don’t need to use the Tor browser or any specialized browser to access dark web websites. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re using an Android phone or an iPhone.
Here’s how to get on the dark web on a mobile device with Nord’s Onion Over VPN:
- Download and install the NordVPN app on your device.
- Log in to your NordVPN account.
- On the homepage, you should see “Specialty servers” among the options under the blue “Quick Connect” button.
- Click on “Specialty servers” and select “Onion Over VPN” to establish a connection.
- If the connection is successful, you should see an indication of this. In our case, it said, “Connected to Netherlands Onion #6” at the top of the screen.
- Now, open any browser, put in your onion link, and it should work! We opened the Tor Metrics site to test this.
While NordVPN’s Onion Over VPN feature allows you to access the dark web on any browser (including Google Chrome), we recommend using a pro-privacy browser like DuckDuckGo. This is important to block trackers and protect your privacy from snooping third parties.
Unfortunately, the Brave browser didn’t work when we tried to access onion sites with Onion Over VPN. However, Brave has a built-in Tor service. You can access this by clicking “New private window with Tor.”
While Mozilla Firefox can open onion sites, you must tweak its settings first. To do this, open a window, type “about:config,” and click “I’ll be careful, I promise” to open the advanced settings manager. Then, type “network.dns.blockDotOnion” and change the value to false. You should be able to open .onion sites on Firefox now.
How to Access the Dark Web Safely
We’ve outlined how to access the dark web on phones and other mobile devices. However, several dark websites cater to illicit activities, like drug trafficking. While this doesn’t make visiting the dark web illegal, you can land on websites that infect your device with malware, such as ransomware and trojan viruses.
It’s also important to note that browsing the dark web on a mobile device can be more dangerous than on a desktop or PC. Dark web sites can track your location (using GPS or WiFi location tracking) and access other information easily when you’re using a mobile device.
Hence, it’s essential to keep yourself safe when accessing the dark web, especially on a mobile device. Follow the steps below to access the dark web safely on your phone:
1. Use a VPN
Accessing the dark web requires a connection to the Tor network. While the Tor network is designed to be anonymous, it is run by volunteers. This means anyone could set up Onion servers to track unsuspecting victims, potentially exposing your browsing activity to prying eyes online, such as your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or the government.
A VPN server adds an extra layer of protection to your browsing data by encrypting it and changing your IP address. This prevents your personal details from being leaked when you’re connected to the Tor network.
NordVPN uses industry-leading encryption to secure your browsing activity. Its Onion over VPN feature combines the best elements of the Tor browser and a VPN. You also get the same level of protection when you connect to a NordVPN server before opening a dark web browser.
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
2. Install an antivirus
Next to a VPN, an antivirus is one of the most important dark web tools. The dark web is unregulated. Hence, several dark web pages contain harmful elements, such as child pornography and malware.
While you can avoid malware by skipping dark web commerce sites and being careful about the sites you visit, there’s always a chance that you could inadvertently click on an infected link or button.
A good antivirus will detect any potential infection and remove it before your device is compromised. An antivirus will also warn you about potentially dangerous websites and help to keep you safe overall.
Norton Antivirus is one of the best antivirus solutions on the market. You can browse the dark web without worrying about malware if you have Norton 360 installed. Use the button below to get yourself a Norton subscription.
3. Minimise tracking and data collection
Data collection and tracking are pervasive today, whether you’re on the deep web or the surface web. It’s virtually impossible to completely escape it. However, it’s important to limit the possibility of your data being collected, shared, or leaked. There are a few things you can do to achieve this:
- Turn off location services on your device while accessing the dark web.
- Refuse all permission requests from dark web browsers. This includes requests to access your contacts, settings, camera, or other features. This can be done by tweaking the privacy settings on Android and iOS.
- Use a device that has no sensitive apps when visiting the dark web. This could include, for instance, banking, finance, social media, and messaging apps. In fact, it’s best to use a secondary device to access the dark web on your phone.
- Ensure your device is not connected to other smart devices around the house. If they’re all on the same network, the smart devices could be compromised if your phone is hacked. Smart devices, like watches, speakers, and even thermostats, pose privacy risks.
4. Configure your dark web browser’s security settings
Both the Tor Browser and Onion Browser offer different levels of security. We recommend choosing the highest security configuration, even if features and elements like videos may not work properly. Here’s how you can change the security settings of the Tor Browser and the Onion Browser, respectively.
Configure the security settings on the Tor Browser
The Tor Browser offers three safety levels: Basic, Safer, and Safest. While all features and scripts are enabled on the basic version, it’s also most vulnerable to attacks, such as a script injection attack.
The Safer option disables some features to increase security, while the Safest option completely disables scripts, often at the cost of functionality and usability. Here’s how you can configure the security settings for the Tor Browser:
- Open the Tor browser Android app.
- Click the three-dot icon at the bottom taskbar to open the “Settings” menu.
- Select the “Security Settings” option in the Settings menu.
- Choose your preferred security level. The Safest option is ideal if you’ve not explored the dark web before.
Configure the security settings on the Onion Browser
Like the Tor browser, the Onion Browser also offers three security levels: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Bronze is the lowest security level and enables scripts and access to videos and your microphone by default. Silver disables access to your microphone and other features but allows Java script, while Gold limits all access and scripts.
Here’s how to change your security settings on the Onion Browser:
- Open the Onion Browser app.
- Click on the gear Settings icon at the bottom left-hand of the screen to open the Settings menu.
- Choose between the Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels of security from the subsequent menu.
5. Never reveal any personal information
Given the dangers that lurk on the dark web, it’s a no-brainer that you shouldn’t disclose any personal information like your name, email address, phone number, or financial details. Use an alias to create an account on a dark web site. If an email is required, use a burner mail account or an anonymous, secure email provider.
Overall, navigating the dark web requires caution and prudence. Pair that with the tips listed above, and you should be fine.
Dark Web Sites to Visit on iPhone and Android
The dark web can be slightly difficult to navigate for new users. You can’t use Google to search for dark web domains and visit them. After all, the dark web isn’t part of the surface web but the hidden “deep web.”
Luckily, there are a few useful sites and search engines that can improve your dark web browsing experience. Here’s a small list of useful websites to visit on the dark web.
Important!
Please note that dark web URLs change regularly. Be careful when using any dark web site URL listed in this article as it may have changed since the article was written. When using the dark web, you should always take precautions such as using a VPN and antivirus program, as well as checking your local laws.
| Website | Purpose | Link |
|---|---|---|
| The Hidden Wiki | Index of dark web sites, like Wikipedia | http://paavlaytlfsqyvkg3yqj7hflfg5jw2jdg2fgkza5ruf6lplwseeqtvyd.onion/ |
| DuckDuckGo | Privacy-friendly search engine that shows onion links | https://duckduckgogg42xjoc72x3sjasowoarfbgcmvfimaftt6twagswzczad.onion/ |
| Tor Metrics | Compiles important statistics about the dark web | http://hctxrvjzfpvmzh2jllqhgvvkoepxb4kfzdjm6h7egcwlumggtktiftid.onion/ |
| SecureDrop | Platform for journalists to anonymously share tips and information with news sites | BBC: http://kt2bqe753wj6dgarak2ryj4d6a5tccrivbvod5ab3uxhug5fi624vsqd.onion/ New York Times: http://ej3kv4ebuugcmuwxctx5ic7zxh73rnxt42soi3tdneu2c2em55thufqd.onion/ Financial Times: http://nqu6crmtnzs2hs5abo2uqni53yqsnnwqnerdxuzyz5yxairxlzjzt6yd.onion/ |
Check out our full list of dark web sites worth visiting for more dark web links for Android, iPhones, and other devices. You could also use dark web search engines like Torch or DuckDuckGo to find interesting sites.
Dark Web vs. Deep Web vs. Surface Web
The portion of the World Wide Web that most of us interact with daily is known as the surface web. It can be accessed using standard browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. All the links that appear when you search for something on Google are part of the surface web — including this article!
The deep web refers to the section of the internet that is hived off behind barriers, such as subscriptions or log in requirements. Accessing the deep web requires a specific URL or webpage as well as the necessary authentication details. Your email inbox is a good example of a page on the deep web.
While the deep and dark web are somewhat similar (i.e., they don’t usually appear on search engines), they’re also very different.
The dark web is a section of the deep web that can be accessed only through the Tor network. Unlike the surface and deep web, the dark web uses “.onion” links, which do not appear on Google or Bing. Furthermore, no entity has authority over the dark web or can impose regulations. This is precisely why the dark web is often linked with unlawful activities.
Dark Web on the Go: Wrapping Up
It’s very easy to access the dark web browser on your phone, whether you’re using Android or iOS. Just remember that the dark web is no safer on mobile than it is on any other device, so make sure to take all the necessary precautions, including using a VPN.
You can learn more about the dark web in the following articles:
- What is the Dark Web? How to Access it and What You Can Find
- The Best VPNs for Accessing the Dark Web
- The Best Dark Web Websites Not Listed on Google
You’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about accessing the dark web on your mobile device below. If there are any questions you’d like answered, please leave them in the comments.
Yes, it’s possible to access the dark web on your iPhone. You need a specialized browser, like Onion browser, to access the dark web on iPhone. You could also use NordVPN’s Onion Over VPN and visit the dark web on any browser, like Safari.
There is no official Tor browser for iOS as yet. However, you can still access the Tor network using alternate browsers, like OrNet or Onion Browser.
While there’s no official Tor iOS app, other apps, such as Onion browser, are free. These allow you to access the dark web and the Tor network.
Yes, accessing the dark web on Android is fairly straightforward. All you need to do is download and install Tor browser from the Play Store and connect to the Tor network. You can then access all onion links.
The Tor project has developed a native app for Android users. It can be found on the Play Store and allows you to access different onion links and explore the Tor network.
