How to Install Tor Browser on Ubuntu

Tor Browser routes your internet traffic through multiple encrypted relays, making it extremely difficult for websites, advertisers, or network observers to track your online activity. If you need to access region-restricted content, research sensitive topics, or simply browse without leaving a trail, Tor Browser provides the privacy layer that standard browsers cannot match.

This guide walks you through three installation methods on Ubuntu, from the simplest package manager approach to a manual archive installation. By the end, you will have a working Tor Browser that connects to the Tor network and includes built-in protections against common tracking techniques.

Choose Your Tor Browser Installation Method

Ubuntu provides multiple ways to install Tor Browser, each with different trade-offs for convenience, update frequency, and isolation. The following table summarizes your options:

Method	Channel	Updates	Best For
APT (torbrowser-launcher)	Ubuntu Repos	Automatic via apt upgrade; browser self-updates	Most users who want simple installation and maintenance
Flatpak	Flathub	Automatic via flatpak update; browser self-updates	Users who prefer sandboxed applications or already use Flatpak
Archive Download	Tor Project	Browser self-updates; manual reinstall for major versions	Users who want direct control or need the absolute latest release

For most users, the APT method is recommended because it integrates with your system’s package manager and the torbrowser-launcher tool handles downloading, signature verification, and updates automatically. The Flatpak option provides additional sandboxing, while the archive method gives you direct control over the installation location.

This guide covers Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, 24.04 LTS, and 26.04 LTS. All installation methods work identically across these releases. Tor Browser includes a built-in update mechanism that checks for new versions automatically, so you will receive security updates regardless of which method you choose.

Method 1: Install Tor Browser via APT (Recommended)

The torbrowser-launcher package from Ubuntu’s official repositories is the simplest way to get Tor Browser running. This launcher tool downloads the official Tor Browser bundle from the Tor Project, verifies its cryptographic signature, and manages updates through the browser’s built-in updater.

Update Package Index

First, refresh your package lists to ensure you get the latest available version:

sudo apt update

Install torbrowser-launcher

With the package index updated, install the launcher package that handles downloading and managing Tor Browser:

sudo apt install torbrowser-launcher

When you run this command, APT installs the launcher along with its dependencies. The launcher will download the actual Tor Browser bundle the first time you run it.

Verify Installation

Once the installation completes, confirm the launcher is available by checking the installed package:

apt-cache policy torbrowser-launcher

Expected output on Ubuntu 26.04:

torbrowser-launcher:
  Installed: 0.3.7-3
  Candidate: 0.3.7-3
  Version table:
 *** 0.3.7-3 500

The installed version may differ slightly depending on your Ubuntu release, but any output showing “Installed” confirms the installation succeeded.

Method 2: Install Tor Browser via Flatpak

Flatpak provides an alternative installation method that runs Tor Browser in a sandboxed environment. This approach isolates the browser from your system, which some users prefer for additional security. The Flatpak version also uses the same torbrowser-launcher tool, packaged for the Flatpak ecosystem.

Flatpak is not pre-installed on Ubuntu. If you have not set it up yet, install it with sudo apt install flatpak and restart your session before continuing. For detailed setup including the Flathub repository, follow our Flatpak installation guide for Ubuntu.

Enable Flathub Repository

Before installing applications, ensure the Flathub repository is configured on your system. This command adds Flathub if it is not already present:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Install Tor Browser Launcher

Next, install the Tor Browser launcher from Flathub using the following command:

sudo flatpak install flathub org.torproject.torbrowser-launcher -y

The -y flag automatically confirms the installation, including any required runtime dependencies. This download may take several minutes depending on your connection speed, as Flatpak also installs the necessary GNOME runtime if not already present.

Verify Flatpak Installation

Finally, confirm the application appears in your Flatpak list:

flatpak list | grep -i tor

Expected output:

Tor Browser Launcher    org.torproject.torbrowser-launcher    0.3.9    system

Method 3: Install Tor Browser via Archive Download

Downloading the official archive directly from the Tor Project gives you the most control over your installation. This method is useful if you want to install Tor Browser in a custom location or need to run a specific version. The browser includes a built-in updater that handles minor version updates automatically, though you may need to download a new archive for major releases.

Download the Latest Release

First, detect the latest stable version and download the archive:

VERSION=$(curl -sL https://dist.torproject.org/torbrowser/ | grep -oE 'href="[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+/' | grep -oE '[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+' | sort -V | tail -1)
wget -q --show-progress "https://dist.torproject.org/torbrowser/${VERSION}/tor-browser-linux-x86_64-${VERSION}.tar.xz"

This command uses curl to detect the latest version number from the Tor Project’s download directory, stores it in a variable, and then downloads the corresponding archive. At the time of writing, this fetches version 15.0.3.

If you prefer to download manually, visit the Tor Project download page and select the Linux version. The signature file (.asc) is available for cryptographic verification if you want to confirm the download’s authenticity.

Extract the Archive

After the download completes, extract the archive contents:

tar -xJf tor-browser-linux-x86_64-*.tar.xz

This creates a tor-browser directory containing the browser and all necessary files.

Move to System Location

Next, move the extracted directory to /usr/local/share for a system-wide installation that persists across updates:

sudo mv tor-browser /usr/local/share/

This location is the standard directory for locally installed applications that are not managed by the package manager.

Register Desktop Application

Finally, navigate to the installation directory and register Tor Browser as a desktop application so it appears in your application menu:

cd /usr/local/share/tor-browser
./start-tor-browser.desktop --register-app

Expected output:

Tor Browser has been registered as a desktop app for this user in ~/.local/share/applications/

After registration, Tor Browser will appear in your applications menu alongside other installed programs.

Launch Tor Browser

With Tor Browser installed, you can launch it from either the terminal or your desktop environment’s application menu. The launch method depends on how you installed the browser.

Launch from Terminal

If you used the APT method, run:

torbrowser-launcher

Flatpak users should run:

flatpak run org.torproject.torbrowser-launcher

Those who installed from the archive can launch directly from the installation directory:

/usr/local/share/tor-browser/start-tor-browser.desktop

Launch from Applications Menu

All installation methods register Tor Browser in your desktop environment. Open your application menu and search for “Tor Browser” to launch it.

First-Time Connection Setup

When you launch Tor Browser for the first time, the launcher downloads the actual browser bundle if you used the APT or Flatpak method. After that initial download, you will see the connection configuration screen.

Most users can click Connect to establish a direct connection to the Tor network. However, if you are in a location where Tor is blocked or censored, click Configure Connection to set up bridges or a proxy.

Configure Bridges (Optional)

Bridges are unlisted Tor relays that help you connect when direct access is blocked. If you select the bridge option, Tor Browser offers several built-in bridge types:

Complete Connection

After clicking Connect, Tor Browser establishes a connection through the Tor network. This process typically takes 15 to 60 seconds depending on network conditions and your geographic location.

Once connected, you will see the Tor Browser home page with DuckDuckGo as the default search engine. At this point, your traffic is routed through multiple Tor relays, and websites see the exit relay’s IP address instead of yours.

Manage Tor Browser

Update Tor Browser

Tor Browser includes a built-in automatic update mechanism that checks for new versions each time you launch. When an update is available, the browser downloads and applies it automatically. This means you receive security patches and new features without manual intervention, regardless of which installation method you used.

To update the launcher itself (APT or Flatpak), use the standard update commands:

APT method:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Flatpak method:

sudo flatpak update

For the archive method, the browser’s internal updater handles everything. If a major version requires a fresh download, the browser will notify you.

Remove Tor Browser

If you no longer need Tor Browser, use the removal command corresponding to your installation method.

APT method:

sudo apt remove torbrowser-launcher
sudo apt autoremove

The autoremove command cleans up any dependencies that were installed alongside torbrowser-launcher and are no longer needed.

Flatpak method:

sudo flatpak uninstall org.torproject.torbrowser-launcher --delete-data

The --delete-data flag removes the application’s local data directory, which includes downloaded browser files and any cached settings.

Archive method:

sudo rm -rf /usr/local/share/tor-browser
rm ~/.local/share/applications/start-tor-browser.desktop

The archive removal commands permanently delete the Tor Browser installation directory and the desktop shortcut. If you saved any data within the browser, such as bookmarks, they will be lost. Tor Browser is designed for privacy and does not persist browsing data between sessions by default.

Troubleshooting

Connection Fails or Times Out

If Tor Browser cannot connect, check your system clock first. Tor relay connections require accurate time synchronization, and a clock that is more than a few minutes off can prevent connections. Verify your system time with:

timedatectl

If the time is incorrect, enable automatic synchronization:

sudo timedatectl set-ntp true

Launcher Download Failing

If the torbrowser-launcher tool cannot download the Tor Browser bundle, your network may be blocking connections to the Tor Project servers. Try using a different network, or manually download the bundle from the Tor Project website and place it in the launcher’s expected directory:

~/.local/share/torbrowser/tbb/x86_64/

Flatpak Permission Issues

Flatpak applications run in a sandbox with limited access to your system. If Tor Browser installed via Flatpak has issues accessing downloads or other directories, you can grant additional permissions using Flatseal or the command line:

flatpak override --user --filesystem=~/Downloads org.torproject.torbrowser-launcher

Conclusion

With Tor Browser installed and connected, you can browse the web with significantly enhanced privacy. The three installation methods each have their advantages: APT provides the simplest maintenance, Flatpak adds sandboxing isolation, and the archive download gives you direct control. Whichever method you chose, Tor Browser’s built-in updater ensures you always have the latest security patches. For further privacy exploration, consider combining Tor Browser with a VPN solution or exploring alternative privacy-focused browsers like Brave.