Tor Watch Link pending

torwatch · first-visit guide

The Tor Watch link, checked before you click

New to Tor Watch? Start with the address bar below. It holds a single tor watch link that has been checked against its source, and the library underneath explains everything else in plain English.

  • 1 link in the bar
  • 15 guides
  • 0 accounts needed
  • last check

Library

Start with the basics

Fifteen short guides for first-time visitors: how to get Tor Browser, how a torwatch URL is put together, what to do on a phone and which messages to ignore.

First visit What the Tor Watch onion is, in plain English A beginner explanation of the Tor Watch onion: what an onion service is, why it has a strange address and why it only opens in Tor Browser. 4 parts · read guide First visit Getting Tor Browser from the right place Before you can open any tor watch link you need Tor Browser. How to download it from the official source and avoid fake installers. 4 parts · read guide First visit Opening Tor Watch for the first time: what to expect A walk-through of your first visit to Tor Watch: pasting the torwatch URL, waiting for the page and checking that you landed in the right place. 4 parts · read guide Reading the link Reading a torwatch URL without getting lost A torwatch URL has a protocol, a long onion name and sometimes a path. Learn which part identifies Tor Watch and which parts you can ignore. 4 parts · read guide Reading the link Tor Watch mirror explained for beginners What a tor watch mirror is, why services run more than one onion address and how a beginner can tell a real torwatch mirror from a copied one. 4 parts · read guide Reading the link Why a Tor Watch link sometimes changes Onion services occasionally move to a new address. The usual reasons a Tor Watch link changes and how real changes are normally announced. 4 parts · read guide Devices Opening the Tor Watch onion on Android How to install Tor Browser for Android, paste a tor watch onion link correctly on a small screen and keep your phone setup tidy. 4 parts · read guide Devices Reaching Tor Watch from an iPhone or iPad There is no official Tor Browser for iOS, but Tor-based browsers exist. What to look for and how to open the torwatch URL on Apple devices. 4 parts · read guide Devices Copying a tor watch link correctly on small screens Long-press menus, autocorrect and keyboard suggestions can damage a tor watch link. Simple ways to copy the onion address intact. 4 parts · read guide Devices When Tor Browser will not connect at all If Tor Browser cannot connect, no tor watch link will open. Common reasons, from blocked networks to wrong clock settings, and how bridges help. 4 parts · read guide Staying safe Ignoring messages that offer a new Tor Watch link Unsolicited messages offering a new tor watch mirror or a 'working' torwatch URL are common. Why to ignore them and where to check instead. 4 parts · read guide Staying safe Spotting a fake Tor Watch login page Fake pages copy Tor Watch's look to steal logins. Simple checks a beginner can do before typing a username or password. 4 parts · read guide Staying safe Using Tor Browser's security slider for safer visits Tor Browser's Standard, Safer and Safest levels change how pages behave. Which level makes sense when you visit the Tor Watch onion. 4 parts · read guide Staying safe Why to avoid downloads from onion pages Files downloaded through Tor can expose you or carry malware. Why beginners should avoid downloads when visiting Tor Watch or any tor watch mirror. 4 parts · read guide First visit A short Tor Watch glossary for beginners Onion, mirror, relay, bridge, circuit: the terms you will meet around Tor Watch and the tor watch link, explained in one sentence each. 4 parts · read guide

Open the full library

From zero to the Tor Watch onion in four steps

  1. 1

    Get Tor Browser

    Download it only from the Tor Project's own site and let it update itself.

  2. 2

    Copy the checked link

    Use the address bar on this page rather than links from chats or comments.

  3. 3

    Paste, don't type

    Paste the tor watch onion address into Tor Browser so no character is mistyped.

  4. 4

    Confirm and bookmark

    Compare what loaded with the address bar here, then bookmark it with today's date.

Common first questions

Where is the Tor Watch link?

In the address bar at the top of this page. If the button is grey the link is still being checked; when it turns green it reads Go to link.

Why won't the torwatch URL open in Chrome or Safari?

Onion addresses only work in Tor Browser or another Tor-enabled app. Normal browsers cannot reach them.

Is a tor watch mirror different from the main link?

A mirror is another onion address for the same service. Treat every mirror as unchecked until it matches a trusted source.

Do I need an account to use this page?

No. This page has no sign-up and never asks for passwords, keys or payment details.

What if the Tor Watch onion is slow?

Onion services are often slower than normal websites. Give it time and retry before looking for alternatives.

Can I open the tor watch link on my phone?

Yes, with Tor Browser for Android or a Tor-based browser on iOS. The library has a short guide for phones.

Tor Watch Beacon only checks and explains links. It does not run Tor Watch and is not responsible for any activity on onion services. Make sure using Tor and onion services is legal where you are.