Safira
Invite-only closed beta
End-to-end encrypted with Signal

Speak truth without leaving a trail

Safira is anonymous, encrypted chat for journalists, whistleblowers, and the people who trust them, running as a Tor hidden service. No accounts tied to your real identity. No logs. No surveillance business model.

How to access Safira Download Tor Browser
encrypted
Are we safe to talk here?
Yes, end-to-end encrypted, nothing logged.
This message expires in 1 hour
Zero
logs or analytics
E2E
Signal encryption
.onion
Tor hidden service
No PII
no email or phone
Getting started

How to access Safira

Safira is not on the regular internet. Follow these steps, no technical background required.

Invite-only for now. Safira is in a closed beta. Creating an account requires a one-time invite code from someone who already uses Safira. Ask a contact who is already on Safira to send you a code, then enter it when you sign up.

  1. 1

    Download Tor Browser

    Tor Browser is free software that lets you visit hidden websites like Safira without revealing where you are. Get it only from the official Tor Project, never from unofficial mirrors or app stores.

    Download from torproject.org

    Choose your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, or Android) and follow the install prompts. On first launch, connect to Tor. The default settings are fine.

    On iPhone or iPad?

    Apple does not allow the official Tor Browser on iOS. The Tor Project recommends Onion Browser (free on the App Store) instead. For stronger protection you can pair it with Orbot, also from the Tor Project. Other steps below are the same.

  2. 2

    Open Tor Browser

    Launch Tor Browser like any other app. Wait until it says you are connected to Tor. You will see a browser window that looks similar to Firefox. That is normal.

    Important: Safira will not load in Chrome, Safari, or Edge. You must use Tor Browser, or Onion Browser on iPhone and iPad.
  3. 3

    Go to the Safira address

    Copy the address below, paste it into Tor Browser's address bar, and press Enter. Bookmark it inside Tor Browser for next time. When you sign up, have your one-time invite code ready.

    Safira address (paste into Tor Browser)

    y5rwbfxfhvnzrpoz7i5ul7efs4fcf7nmdii5srltao2vlycwcsnofgid.onion

    Or open directly in Tor Browser: https://y5rwbfxfhvnzrpoz7i5ul7efs4fcf7nmdii5srltao2vlycwcsnofgid.onion/

Features

Built for people who cannot afford to be watched

Every design choice serves one rule: a compromised server must not be able to read your messages or identify who you are.

Signal end-to-end encryption

Every message is encrypted with the Signal protocol. Only you and your contact can read them, not us, not the server.

No email, phone, or real name

Pick a username. That is it. No identity documents, no phone verification, no data brokers in the loop.

Messages expire automatically

Conversations are ephemeral by default. Messages vanish within an hour, designed for sensitive sources, not permanent archives.

Recipient-side word blacklist

Block messages containing words you choose. Enforcement happens on your device, so your list stays private.

Tor hidden service

Safira runs as a .onion site. Your connection is routed through Tor, hiding your location from us and from network observers.

Multi-device with recovery

Link devices and restore your identity after Tor Browser wipes storage, using a strong password and, if needed, a recovery phrase.

Who it's for

When privacy is not optional

Safira exists for people pursued by powerful institutions for telling the truth and for those who need to reach them safely.

01

Investigative journalists

Protect sources who risk retaliation for speaking out. Communicate without handing their identity to a chat platform.

02

Whistleblowers

Report corruption, abuse, or injustice when conventional channels are closed, compromised, or too dangerous to use.

03

Sources & contacts

Reach journalists or allies without installing a suspicious app or leaving a trail in your everyday browser history.

Threat model

Honest about what we protect

We will not oversell. Here is what Safira defends against, and what it cannot guarantee.

Protects against

  • Server operators reading your messages
  • Passive network observers on the wire
  • Server breach exposing message content (stored as ciphertext)

Does not protect against

  • A malicious contact screenshotting or saving messages
  • Malware or compromise on your own device
  • Timing and traffic metadata (Tor helps; it is not magic)
  • A compromised server shipping malicious app code (inherent to web delivery)
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I get an invite code?
Safira is currently in an invite-only closed beta. To create an account you need a one-time invite code from someone who already uses Safira. Ask a contact who is already on the platform to generate a code for you and share it through a channel you trust. Each code can be used once, so request a fresh one if yours has already been redeemed.
What is Tor Browser?
Tor Browser is a free, modified version of Firefox that routes your traffic through the Tor network. It hides your location and browsing from the sites you visit and from anyone watching your connection. Safira only works inside Tor Browser. Regular Chrome or Safari cannot reach .onion addresses.
Can I use Safira on an iPhone or iPad?
Yes, but not with the official Tor Browser, which Apple does not allow on iOS. Install Onion Browser instead, a free, open-source app the Tor Project officially recommends for iOS. For stronger anonymity you can route it through Orbot, also from the Tor Project. Once Onion Browser is connected to Tor, open the Safira .onion address inside it exactly as you would in Tor Browser on a computer.
Is Tor legal and safe to use?
Tor is legal in most countries and is used daily by journalists, activists, and ordinary people who want privacy. Download it only from the official Tor Project website linked on this page. Like any tool, safety also depends on how you use it: use a strong password, verify who you are talking to, and assume a determined adversary may try other attacks.
Why a website on Tor instead of an app?
An app store listing creates a permanent install trail on your phone. Safira is a website you open inside Tor Browser: nothing to install from Apple or Google, no push notification providers, and no third-party CDN delivering the app. You bring your own Tor Browser; we serve the chat from a hidden service.
Why are there no background notifications?
Push notifications require third-party services and leak metadata about who messages you and when. Tor Browser also disables push. Safira polls for new messages while the tab is open. When you return to the tab, messages catch up immediately. This is a deliberate privacy trade-off, not a missing feature.
What if Tor Browser clears my storage?
Tor Browser often wipes local data between sessions. Safira is built for that: sign in with your username and password to restore your identity and recent live conversations from encrypted backups on the relay. Keep your recovery phrase somewhere safe as a backup if you forget your password.
How do I get help or report a problem?
Email us at safira-support@proton.me. We can help with access issues, bug reports, and general questions. Please keep your message free of personal details: we never need your real name, phone number, or location, and we cannot recover a lost password or recovery phrase for you.

Ready to connect securely?

Download Tor Browser, copy the Safira address, and sign up with your invite code, no email required. Safira is in invite-only closed beta, so you will need a one-time code from an existing user.

Download Tor Browser Open Safira address