> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cakewallet.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/privacy-and-security/built-in-tor.md).

# Built-in Tor

Every time your wallet talks to a node or checks an exchange rate, the server on the other end sees your IP address — a strong hint of who and where you are. Cake Wallet ships with Tor built in: flip one switch and the app routes its connections through the Tor network, hiding your IP from the services it talks to. No extra apps required.

{% hint style="info" %}
Tor hides your IP from the servers your wallet contacts. It doesn't make transactions themselves anonymous — that's what coins and features like Monero, [Silent Payments](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/privacy-and-security/silent-payments), and [MWEB](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/privacy-and-security/litecoin-mweb) are for. Use both layers together.
{% endhint %}

## Turn it on

Open `Settings` from the top right, then under App settings tap `Connections` and enable `Enable built-in Tor`.

![Connections settings with Enable built-in Tor](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cake-tech/docs-assets/main/v6.3.1/settings_connections_01_top_hl.png)

Cake Wallet marks the feature experimental: not every connection type supports Tor routing yet, so if you want belt-and-suspenders coverage, combine it with a VPN or run [Orbot](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/advanced/tor-with-orbot) in whole-device mode.

## What to expect

* **Startup takes a little longer.** The app establishes a Tor connection first — you'll see a brief connecting state before your wallet syncs.
* **Syncing is drastically slower than clearnet.** Tor adds latency by design, and there's no useful estimate to give — expect syncing to take far longer overall, especially for a large rescan. If you need a fast sync, use your own clearnet node.
* **Some third-party services may not work over Tor.** Fiat on-ramp providers in particular sometimes block Tor connections. The `Fiat API` and `Swap` settings on the same Connections screen offer Tor-only modes if you'd rather those features fail closed than leak your IP.

## Onion nodes

With Tor active you can also connect to `.onion` nodes — nodes reachable only inside the Tor network, removing the exit-hop entirely.

Cake Wallet ships onion presets for two coins only:

* **Monero** — `Cake Wallet (Onion)` in the Monero node list.
* **Zcash** — `Cake Wallet (Tor)` and `Cake Wallet (Tor #2)` in the Zcash node list.

There are **no built-in onion presets for Bitcoin, Litecoin or any other coin**. On those, add an onion node yourself from [Manage nodes](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/managing-your-wallet/manage-nodes) if you have one to point at.

Without Tor running, `.onion` nodes will not connect — if your wallet is stuck on one, switch to a clearnet node or enable Tor.

## Built-in Tor or Orbot?

* **Built-in Tor** protects Cake Wallet's own connections with zero setup — the right choice for most people.
* [**Orbot**](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/advanced/tor-with-orbot) routes your whole device (or chosen apps) through Tor, covers connection types the built-in support doesn't reach yet, and suits users who already run Tor for everything.


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