How to Share Files Privately for Free With OnionShare and Tor
Send files using free OnionShare, understand temporary onion links and learn what this tool does not protect.
Before you begin
Email attachments and ordinary cloud-share links can leave files stored with a third-party provider or accessible through a long-lived link. OnionShare is an open-source tool that lets you share files through a temporary onion service over the Tor network. It offers a different privacy model, not magical anonymity or permanent cloud storage. The person sending files generally needs to keep the sharing device running until the recipient completes the download.
1Download the genuine application
Use onionshare.org and the linked official documentation to choose an appropriate desktop or mobile version. Desktop applications are available for Windows, macOS and Linux; mobile options and platform capabilities may differ. Avoid unofficial cracked copies or browser extensions that impersonate the project. The official documentation explains how OnionShare connects to Tor and how its security design works. Read it before using the tool for particularly sensitive records.
2Understand the basic privacy model
A sender's device temporarily hosts the share as an onion service; the service does not require uploading the file to a conventional commercial storage account. A recipient uses a compatible Tor-capable client, typically Tor Browser, to open the special .onion address. OnionShare's privacy properties depend on configuration, trusted software, secure link delivery and what the document itself reveals. It cannot remove a recipient's ability to copy a downloaded file.
3Create a small test share first
Open OnionShare, choose its file-sharing mode, add a harmless test document and start sharing. The application produces a temporary share address and may use additional access controls depending on version and mode. Open the address in a separate trusted Tor Browser session to understand the recipient's experience. Follow on-screen settings about when sharing ends. Avoid using a large private file as your very first test.
4Send the address securely and keep sharing active
Send the .onion address through a trusted private conversation rather than posting it publicly. Tell the recipient how to open it and confirm receipt through a separate communication channel when possible. Keep OnionShare running and maintain power and connectivity until the file is downloaded. The transfer may be slower than ordinary direct file sharing because of the network path and device connections. Closing the application can make the temporary service unavailable.
5Control access, timing and sensitive metadata
Review the app's settings for whether sharing should stop after a download and whether additional recipients are intended. Consider the risks if a recipient forwards the active address. Check the file for author names, embedded comments, photo location data or personal details before sharing. OnionShare can protect aspects of how files are transferred, but it does not automatically anonymize the document's contents or guarantee the recipient's device is secure.
6Choose the right tool for the job
OnionShare is useful when privacy and avoiding conventional hosted storage are important and both parties can use Tor. For simple transfers between your own devices on the same local network, a tool such as LocalSend may be more convenient. For a lasting public download, a conventional published website is often more appropriate. Select based on who needs access, file sensitivity, device availability and expected transfer duration.
Frequently asked questions
Is OnionShare free?
Yes. OnionShare is open-source software distributed through the official project.
Can the sender shut down their computer before the download finishes?
Generally no. The temporary share is served from the sender's device and must remain available during transfer.
Official sources and further reading
Interface labels, availability and policies may change. Confirm current details with the relevant service before taking action.