Psiphon - free censorship circumvention, made for phones

Introduction to Psiphon

Psiphon is a free and open-source censorship circumvention tool that helps you access blocked websites by tunneling your traffic and adding obfuscation. It exists for one job: getting people back into the internet when someone with control over the network - a government, an ISP, a school - refuses the connection. Psiphon is available for Android, iOS, and Windows devices, and it can be downloaded from the official website or app stores [2].

Why Psiphon is a top choice for unblocking

Most free tools are either tunnels (VPNs) or anonymizers (Tor). Psiphon is a tunnel that behaves like a censorship fighter: it cycles between connection strategies, uses technique rotations when its endpoints get blocked, and needs nothing configured by you. Where a plain VPN's IPs are blocked and a browser flag does not reach far enough, Psiphon is the honest next step. You can learn more about how Psiphon works and its features on the official FAQ page [1].

The three modes of Psiphon

Psiphon has three modes:

• VPN mode tunnels everything on the device (Android, Windows).
• Browser mode tunnels only the app's own browser - enough to read pages, cheapest on battery.
• SSH / obfuscated SSH modes - fallback transports used when its tunneling is under attack.

You do not need to choose deliberately: the app starts with what works and you can switch in the interface.

Getting started with Psiphon

To get started with Psiphon, you can download the app from the official website or app stores. For Android, you can download the APK signed by Psiphon Inc. from psiphon.ca - if the Play listing is unavailable in your country, the site explains how to verify the APK [2]. For iOS, you can download the app from the App Store (full-function tunnel). For Windows, you can download the installer or the portable EXE from the official site.

What Psiphon does not do

• Not an anonymizer. Psiphon is open about logging some connection data for performance and, per their policy, about complying with legal requests [1]. For sensitive identity-threatening use, Tor is the better transport. You can learn more about Tor and how to use it on our Tor Browser guide.
• Not always fast. Congestion at popular endpoints is real; modes rotate when throttled.
• Not invisible. Sophisticated national censors detect obfuscated tunnels too; bridges help, mobile data helps more.

When to use Psiphon

Psiphon is a good choice when you need to unblock a website that is blocked by your ISP or government. You can use Psiphon in combination with other tools, such as Encrypted DNS or WARP, to improve your online security and freedom. For identity-critical reading, Tor Browser is a better choice. For streaming geo-content daily, a Commercial VPN may be more suitable.

Step-by-step setup on Android

To set up Psiphon on Android, follow these steps:

1. Download the Psiphon app from the Google Play Store or the official website [2].
2. Install the app and launch it.
3. Follow the in-app instructions to configure the app.
4. Select the mode you want to use (VPN, Browser, or SSH).
5. Connect to the Psiphon network.

Step-by-step setup on Windows

To set up Psiphon on Windows, follow these steps:

1. Download the Psiphon installer or portable EXE from the official website [2].
2. Install the app and launch it.
3. Follow the in-app instructions to configure the app.
4. Select the mode you want to use (VPN or SSH).
5. Connect to the Psiphon network.

Staying safe while using Psiphon

While Psiphon is a powerful tool for unblocking websites, it is not a substitute for online security and privacy best practices. You should always use a reputable antivirus program and keep your operating system and browser up to date. You should also be cautious when clicking on links or downloading files from unknown sources. Additionally, you can use tools like OONI to test your internet connection and detect any censorship or blocking [3].

Escalation

If Psiphon is not working for you, you may need to escalate to other tools or strategies. You can try using a different mode or protocol, or switching to a different VPN or anonymizer. You can also try using a bridge or a proxy to improve your online security and freedom.

Conclusion

Psiphon is a powerful and easy-to-use tool for unblocking websites and bypassing censorship. With its three modes and automatic configuration, it is a great choice for anyone who needs to access blocked content. However, it is not a substitute for online security and privacy best practices, and you should always use caution when clicking on links or downloading files from unknown sources.