Tor Browser Now Based on Firefox Quantum and Available for Android

Recently, not only did Google Chrome receive a major update, but Tor Browser also underwent significant changes. Last week, Tor Browser finally transitioned to the Firefox Quantum codebase and adopted the new Photon UI. While Tor Browser has always been built on Firefox’s code, it typically lagged a few releases behind. Mozilla introduced Firefox 57, powered by Firefox Quantum, back in November 2017, but Tor Browser has only now caught up.

With the release of Tor Browser 8 (based on Firefox ESR 60), users benefit from a new page rendering engine, the WebExtensions API (used by Chrome, Opera, Vivaldi, Brave, and other Chromium-based browsers for add-ons), and the updated Photon UI interface.

Unique Features in Tor Browser

While the main changes from the switch to Firefox Quantum are well-known from Firefox itself, Tor Browser introduces some unique improvements. The developers have completely redesigned and simplified the start screen that appears after installation and first launch, making it more user-friendly.

Additionally, the request bridge mechanism has been significantly improved. Now, users no longer need to send an email or visit the project’s website to request a bridge; it’s enough to simply solve a captcha directly in the Tor Launcher.

Tor Browser for Android Released

Almost simultaneously with the release of Tor Browser 8, the Tor Project team also introduced a mobile version: Tor Browser for Android. The app is already available in the Google Play Store, although it is currently in alpha.

Tor Browser for Android is set to replace the Orfox browser, which was previously developed by the Guardian Project team and has now been retired. The developers are encouraging the community to help test Tor Browser for Android. At this stage, installing the alpha version also requires the Orbot mobile proxy app, but the team assures users that this will not be necessary in future releases.