.. _tor-mac:

==================
Running Tor on Mac
==================

Install Homebrew
----------------

#. If you do not have Homebrew installed, follow the installation instructions `here <https://brew.sh/>`_.  TLDR: Open the Terminal and paste the following line:

    .. code-block:: bash

        /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

#. You will be prompted for your system password before installation; proceed with entering your password.  You may be asked more than once.

#. You will be notified which directories Homebrew is going to create, hit :code:`RETURN`:

    .. figure:: /_static/images/tor/install_homebrew1.png
        :width: 80%
        :alt: Homebrew installation

    Homebrew creates the directories and downloads any other files it needs e.g. “Command Line Tool for Xcode” and “Homebrew”.

    Wait a few minutes while it downloads and installs what it needs.

    Once installation is complete, close the Terminal.

.. warning:: Surprisingly, Homebrew uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous usage data. You can deselect the option to share usage data by `opting out <https://docs.brew.sh/Analytics#opting-out>`_.

Install Tor
-----------

.. caution:: If you have the Tor Browser open, close it and quit the application.

.. note:: If you are on a very old version of macOS, such as High Sierra (10.13) or below, first execute this command in a Terminal window:

    .. code-block::

        echo 'export PATH="/usr/local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bash_profile
    
    Then close the Terminal.

#. Open a new Terminal and install Tor using the following command:

    .. code-block:: bash

        brew install tor


#. Then run Tor with:

    .. code-block:: bash

        brew services start tor

This will start Tor and ensure that it is always running, even after a restart.  See the `Tor Project docs <https://2019.www.torproject.org/docs/tor-doc-osx.html.en>`_ for more details.

Enable Tor System-wide
----------------------


#. Enable proxy autoconfig file (This will download the Start9 standard proxy config file. You can use your own if you prefer):

    .. code-block:: bash

        sudo curl https://start9.com/assets/proxy.pac --output /Library/WebServer/Documents/proxy.pac

#. Now enable apache service:

    .. code-block:: bash

        sudo launchctl enable system/org.apache.httpd
        sudo launchctl kickstart system/org.apache.httpd

    .. note:: If these commands fail, your version of macOS may still use the older launchctl syntax:

        .. code-block:: bash

            sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/org.apache.httpd.plist

#. Go to System Settings:

    .. figure:: /_static/images/tor/systemSettings.png
        :width: 40%
        :alt: System Preferences

#. Click on *Network* and then select the interface on which you wish to enable Tor system-wide (both Ethernet and WiFi advised - do one then the other):

    .. figure:: /_static/images/tor/ventura-settings.png
        :width: 80%
        :alt: Select Network

#. Click *Details*:

    .. figure:: /_static/images/tor/ventura-network-advanced.png
        :width: 80%
        :alt: Click Advanced

#. Click "Proxies," then select "Automatic Proxy Configuration," add this URL: ``http://localhost/proxy.pac``, then click "OK":

    .. figure:: /_static/images/tor/ventura-proxies-corrected.png
        :width: 80%
        :alt: Select Proxys

Done! You have now enabled system-wide Tor potential.

We advise going back to step 4 and repeating this for Wifi/Ethernet depending on which interface you haven't done yet.

If you ever need to view the status of the tor service, enter the following into a Terminal:

    .. code-block:: bash
        
        cat /usr/local/var/log/tor.log || sudo cat /opt/homebrew/var/log/tor.log

If using Firefox
----------------
Firefox can be configured to use Tor on your Mac to resolve .onion URLs. Complete this guide: :ref:`tor-ff`