How to Access the Dark Web on iPhone Safely in 2025

Google indexes only a small fraction of the Internet to its users.

In fact, on a regular basis, most of us interact with this tiny portion which is known as the surface web.

However, the Internet is approximately 500 times broader than what we normally access.

The non-searchable content which is beyond the surface web is known as the “dark web,” “deep web,” or “invisible web.”

The dark web or deep web is made up of hidden sites and services. Moreover, all the users, as well as the owners of this web, are completely anonymous.

That means no one can be tracked or traced here. Even though everything on this web isn’t illegal, most things are unlawful.

You’ll find black markets, malware vendors, hacker forums, and other illicit activities on the dark net.

However, the concept of the dark web is very interesting, and that’s why many internet users want to know how to browse the deep net.

In this post, we’ll understand how to access the dark web on iPhone in a safe and secure manner. So let’s get started!

How to Access the Dark Web on iPhone Safely in 2025

Browsing through the dark web on mobile devices is simpler than you imagine. However, on iPhones, things are more complex than on Android phones.

That’s solely due to the absence of Tor browsers for iOS.

But you can still access the dark web on iPhone by using different browsers that allow you to connect to the Tor network.

First of all, you need to get a subscription to a good and reliable Virtual Private Network (VPN) service provider.

This is because we don’t recommend accessing the dark web, especially on your iPhone, without a VPN. We’ll get to this topic later, but we suggest NordVPN.

That’s because it includes a great iOS app and offers a wide server network.

Once you’ve successfully connected the VPN with your iPhone, it’s time to install a dark web browser for your device since it isn’t pre-installed on iOS.

You can head over to your Apple App Store to download it on your iPhone. We recommend Onion Browser as it works best on iOS.

Then launch the Onion Browser application on your iPhone and click on the “Connect to Tor” button.

Moreover, if you live in a nation where this browser is banned, you can even configure bridges to access the dark web. The browser will set a connection to the Tor network. This process may take a few minutes.

That’s it; you can now access the dark web on your iOS device and browse through some of the best dark websites, like ProPublica.

Moreover, you can have access to other Onion websites as well.

Best Web Browsers to Access the Dark Web on iPhone

Since an iPhone (iOS) doesn’t have the Tor app pre-installed, if you want to access Tor on an iOS device, you have to download it from the Apple App Store.

However, you need to be very careful while choosing one as these applications can turn out to be malicious, infecting your iPhone with a virus.

Two of the best Tor browsers to access the dark web on iPhone are as follows:

Onion Browser

When using an iPhone to visit the dark web, the Onion Browser is a safe option. It swiftly links to the Tor network and offers an easy-to-use interface.

The Menu makes it simple to modify settings like encryption and security levels. The software can also be set up to remove cookies and use a different search engine if you choose.

OrNet Browser

If you’re someone who values fine-grained security management, the OrNet browser is a great option.

We particularly appreciated the opportunity to switch the Tor node’s location, which is not offered by other browsers. The fact that it has a built-in VPN increases its security and makes it a good choice.

How to Access Dark Web on iPhone Safely

You’ve learned how to access the dark web on your iPhone. However, a number of deep sites support illicit activities.

You can also stumble upon websites that might infect your phone with other malware, including trojan viruses and ransomware.

It’s also critical to remember that using an iPhone to get on the dark web can be riskier than doing so on a laptop.

To begin with, the iPhone doesn’t include a Tor browser.

Second, if you’re using your phone, the dark web sites can more easily track your online location (using Wi-Fi or GPS location tracking) and various other information.

Therefore, it’s necessary to be safe while browsing the dark web, mainly on iPhones. The best way to protect yourself is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) provider.

That’s because the Tor network has a few vulnerabilities, so your online activities can be observable to unwanted prying eyes, such as the government, your ISP (Internet Service Provider, or hackers.

However, when you connect your device with a VPN, all your surfing activity is protected and encrypted with the addition of a VPN server, virtually eliminating any possibility of being tracked.

Additionally, it alters your IP address so that nobody can discover your actual IP when you connect to the Tor network.

Finding a good one is hard, as hundreds of VPN providers are available on the market. Don’t worry; to make things easier, we’ve made a list of the three best VPNs you can try. These providers are as follows:

1. NordVPN 
2. Surfshark
3. Atlas VPN

1. NordVPN

Recommended Guide: NordVPN Review

Starting off our list with the best one in the VPN industry, NordVPN. With its fast speed, competitive price, and out encryption, it checks off all the boxes and outperforms each of its competitors.

So much so that you’ll find it consistently at the top of everyone’s best VPN lists. And the best thing is that it’s compatible with all devices, including iOS (iPhones).

So, if you want to set up NordVPN on your iPhone, you’ll need to download its application from the Apple App Store and open it on your phone.

Its iOS app version also has a kill switch which is disabled by default. You have to go into its settings to enable this and other features. Moreover, you can switch protocols from its settings section.

Additionally, there’s a “NordVPN Quick Connect” feature for iOS users who don’t want to look for a specific server.

If you’re one of them, you can click on its “Quick connect” button, and the app will connect you with the best server as per your device’s location. But you can still choose a server of your choice.

NordVPN has more than 5200 servers across 59 countries all around the world. You can choose any of these servers manually.

All you need is to click on a country pin in which you’d like to connect or scroll down the available server list and select a location of your choice. That’s probably the easiest thing to do.

Although the user interface of NordVPN across different mobile platforms (iOS and Android) is quite uniform, it indeed has some variations. For instance, iOS users have more choices when it comes to security protocols.

While you’re limited to OpenVPN protocol on Android, you can choose between OpenVPN and IKEv2 (the default protocol) on your iOS device.

Speaking of encryption, NordVPN uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption to protect your data. This encryption employs asymmetric key encryption.

That’s way stronger than the available AES 128-bit encryption, and even this one isn’t even cracked. So, you can imagine how robust the AES 256-bit encryption is, and we’re happy that NordVPN uses this encryption.

When it comes to specialty servers on NordVPN, there are a lot of variations between iOS and Android platforms. The iOS app allows you to choose between Onion Over VPN and P2P.

However, you have P2P, dedicated IP servers, Double VPN, and obfuscated IP servers on Android. Moreover, most VPNs don’t offer such a variety of features on iOS apps, so NordVPN has the upper hand.

On top of all these, the iOS apps of NordVPN include new and advanced tools such as split tunneling and CyberSec.

Apart from that, you can connect and use up to six devices simultaneously with one NordVPN account, which is awesome. Also, it offers 24/7 customer service. So, you can contact them anytime you face any difficulty navigating.

2. Surfshark

Recommended Guide: Surfshark VPN Review

Surfshark is another powerful VPN provider which is packed with amazing features, has one of the best download speeds, and runs on almost all devices, including iOS.

It has a vast network of over 3200 servers which are scattered across an impressive 160 locations over 100 countries.

Moreover, Surfshark offers Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS apps and Firefox, Google Chrome, and Edge extensions.

That’s not all, its website version unblocks the Smart DNS system, so you can connect Surfshark on your smart TVs, gaming consoles, and more. In short, Surfshark is for everyone.

Mobile VPN apps typically can be more basic than their desktop counterparts; however, Surfshark’s mobile version is similar.

The interface is rearranged to perform better on smaller displays, but other than that, everything is identical. From kill switch to Multi-Hop and static IP, you’ll have everything on the desktop.

Additionally, the iOS app outperforms Surfshark’s desktop editions in a few areas. That’s because it has the split tunneling Bypasser system (which isn’t available on Mac).

Also the ‘auto-connect on accessing untrusted network’ feature (which isn’t there on the Windows version). Isn’t it a piece of good news for all iOS users?

Apart from all these, you’ll have some mobile-specific features which make Surfshark one of the best iPhone VPN apps.

It has an ‘Override GPS location’ that matches your phone’s GPS location with the connected VPN server, which makes it even more difficult for anyone to locate your real location.

Moreover, a ‘use small packets’ option might improve its performance with a few mobile networks. If that doesn’t impress you, we don’t know what will.

Also, you can raise tickets or send bug reports from within the app if you face any problems while using Surfshark VPN.

Speaking of protocols, Surfshark’s iOS VPN app allows you to switch between three best-in-class encryption protocols, which are WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2.

More precisely, when we put everything together, it’s an impressive app, straightforward to use, well-implemented, and refreshing for anyone who wants a good VPN for mobile devices.

3. Atlas VPN

Recommended Guide: Atlas VPN Review

The last one on our list: Atlas VPN, is a new entry to the VPN market, as it has been in business since 2020.

However, despite being a newbie, the provider comes with a lengthy feature list, a generous free plan, and a strong all-in-one service. Moreover, it has already earned more than six million active users, and that’s indeed a good start.

You can imagine Atlas VPN’s popularity with the fact that Nord Security, the parent company of NordVPN, acquired it in 2021.

It’s strong, especially on the fundamentals of VPN. Moreover, the encryption of Atlas VPN is quite strong, which can keep your online data safe, while the WireGuard encryption protocol maximizes its performance.

However, the finest thing about Atlas VPN is that it has apps for the five major operating systems: Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, and Linux. Apart from that, it goes beyond the basic features in many areas.

For instance, it has no connection limits; therefore, you can use Atlas VPN on as many devices as you want.

Moreover, there’s a SafeSwap feature on Atlas VPN, which keeps on changing your IP address (even if you’re connected to one server), improving your online anonymity.

It’s true that desktop VPN apps usually outperform mobile VPN apps, especially in features. But luckily, Atlas VPN is different.

In fact, the iOS version of Atlas VPN comes with highly advanced features such as MultiHop+, SafeSwap, a data breach monitor, and a tracker blocker.

Moreover, it beats the Windows version in one or two areas, which makes the provider even more special. Besides that, the company also includes WireGuard (the most powerful and secured encryption protocol).

But there are more fascinating things about Atlas VPN’s iOS app. It supports split tunneling, which allows you to route specific apps through your VPN and the rest of them via your regular internet connection.

This makes your life a lot easier, especially if some of your mobile apps don’t work properly with VPN providers.

Overall, the iOS app of Atlas VPN is quite likable, with huge functionality and free data allowance, which allows you to use the service without taking any risk.

Moreover, it also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, which makes sure your hard-earned money isn’t wasted.

FAQs

In Summary, the best VPNs in 2025 are;

Conclusion

The Tor network opens up various new possibilities on the iPhone. For instance, we’ve seen how easy it is to access the dark web on an iPhone.

However, it’s important to remember that browsing through the dark web isn’t safe, so you should take all precautions to be safe.

And the best way is to use a good VPN because it adds an extra layer of encryption. You can use any of the mentioned VPN providers; however, we recommend using NordVPN.

That’s because NordVPN is the leading provider of VPN services and has everything you need to be safe while accessing the dark web on your iPhone.