Tor Browser is the go-to choice for users seeking anonymous internet browsing. Built on a modified version of Firefox, it routes traffic through the Tor network to protect user identity and location.
It comes pre-configured with privacy-focused defaults and features and is maintained by the Tor Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to online privacy and freedom.
They have now released Tor Browser 15.0, marking a significant milestone in the development of the popular browser.
Tor Browser 15.0: What's in Store?
The new release is based on Firefox ESR 140, incorporating a year's worth of upstream changes from Mozilla. As part of the update process, the Tor Project conducted its annual ESR transition audit, reviewing approximately 200 Firefox changes to ensure they don't compromise privacy or security.
Additionally, WebAssembly management has been moved to the NoScript extension, allowing the PDF renderer to function properly while maintaining security at higher protection levels.
For desktop users, the headline feature is vertical tabs. Instead of displaying tabs horizontally across the top, users can now opt for a sidebar layout where tabs are stacked vertically. The release also includes tab groups, allowing users to organize tabs into collapsible, color-coded collections for easy clutter management.
Source: Tor Project
On Android, Tor Browser 15.0 introduces a screen lock feature. Once enabled via the settings, tabs automatically lock when users switch away from the browser without closing it.
Resuming the Tor Browser session requires unlocking the tabs using fingerprint, face recognition, or a passcode. This is additional protection for cases where someone gains temporary access to an unlocked phone with Tor Browser running in the background.
There is also some less welcome news for users on older systems. The Tor Project is following Mozilla's decision to phase out support for 32-bit x86 processors on Linux and Android.
If you are running Tor Browser on x86 hardware or using Android 5.0 through 7.0, the 15.0 release will be your last one. Support for these platforms ends when version 16.0 arrives around mid-2026, though minor updates and security patches will continue until then.
Get Tor Browser 15.0
Tor Browser 15.0 is available for Linux, Windows, macOS, and Android. You can download it from the official website. If you are interested in going through the source code, then you visit the project's GitLab instance.
For Linux users, the Flathub version is the most straightforward way to get the release.
Suggested Read 📖
Ankush Das
- Even the biggest players in the Linux world don't care about desktop Linux users. We do.
- We don't put informational content behind paywall. Your support keeps it open for everyone. Think of it like 'pay it forward'.
- Don't like ads? With the Plus membership, you get an ad-free reading experience.
- When millions of AI-generated content is being published daily, you read and learn from real human Linux users.
- It costs just $2 a month, less than the cost of your favorite burger.
Become a Plus Member today and join over 300 people in supporting our work.
