Always reach Specter

If Specter is ever blocked or shut down where you are, this page shows every way to keep using it.

Set up at least one of these now, before you need it.

Our real addresses

These are the only addresses that are Specter. If an address is not on this list, it is not us. Don’t sign in there. specterapp.com is not ours.
  • spctr.isOur main address. www.spctr.is works too.
  • specterapp.iowww.specterapp.io works too.
  • dxtr.techwww.dxtr.tech works too.
  • specterapp.caSends you on to specterapp.io, so it works only while specterapp.io does.
  • https://162.217.248.53Our server’s own address. It works even if all our names are blocked.
  • specter7r5gm7kfd2lovlp2vj7635lhn6eft5qzbbc7hvgxtjubejlid.onionOur Tor address. It opens only in Tor Browser (see Use Tor below).
  • http://www.specterhqOur own name. It works only after you turn on our encrypted DNS (below). Type it with the http:// at the start.

Our blockchain explorer

To look up SpecterChain transactions.

  • explorer.specterapp.orgThe explorer’s main address.
  • explorer.specter7r5gm7kfd2lovlp2vj7635lhn6eft5qzbbc7hvgxtjubejlid.onionThe explorer’s Tor address. It opens only in Tor Browser.

Your account is the same on every address. You may need to sign in again when you switch.

Passkeys belong to specterapp.io. They also work on spctr.is and dxtr.tech, but not in every browser, and only while specterapp.io can be reached. They don’t work on our Tor address, our servers’ own addresses or http://www.specterhq. Wherever a passkey doesn’t work, sign in with your password, so make sure you know it.

Save your password and your password reset key somewhere safe, just like your wallet’s recovery phrase. Both are very important.

Addresses can change. This page always has the current list, at /access on any of our addresses.

Install the app

Why install: once Specter has opened on your device, it knows our backup addresses. If the address you use gets blocked, it moves to one that works on its own, so you don’t need a new link.

Your browser does this too, but on iPhone and iPad, Safari clears websites you haven’t opened for 7 days. Apps on your Home Screen are kept. The app doesn’t come from an app store, so no store can remove it.

Install it now and open it once: it can only move to a backup address after it has opened at least once. In Tor Browser, use our Tor address instead.

  • iPhone or iPad

    In Safari, tap the Share button (if you don’t see it, tap ⋯ next to the address bar, then Share). Scroll down, tap Add to Home Screen (tap View More first if it isn’t there), leave Open as Web App on if you see it, then tap Add.

  • Android

    In Chrome, tap the ⋮ menu next to the address bar, then tap Install app (or Add to Home screen).

  • Computer

    In Chrome or Edge, click the install icon at the right of the address bar. On a Mac in Safari, choose File → Add to Dock.

Prefer a video? Watch the step-by-step guide.

Use Tor

Why Tor: Tor hides which sites you visit from your internet provider and gets around most blocks. Our Tor address doesn’t depend on any domain name or server address, so it keeps working even if every address above is blocked. It opens only in Tor Browser.

  1. Download Tor Browser for your device.

    Straight from the Tor Project’s own server, always the latest version. Other versions are on the Tor Project’s download page. Advanced: each file has a signature you can check: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android.

  2. Open the file and install it. On Android, allow installs from your browser when asked. On Linux, unpack it and open start-tor-browser.desktop.

  3. Open Tor Browser, press Connect, then paste our Tor address:

    specter7r5gm7kfd2lovlp2vj7635lhn6eft5qzbbc7hvgxtjubejlid.onion

  • Android

    The Android link above suits most phones. For an older phone, or to get it from Google Play or F-Droid, see Tor Browser for Android.

  • iPhone or iPad

    There is no Tor Browser. The Tor Project recommends Onion Browser, free on the App Store.

  • torproject.org blocked?

    Download from the official mirrors tor.eff.org or lacebolla.net. Or ask GetTor: on Telegram, message @GetTor_Bot and send /start, or email gettor@torproject.org with windows, osx, linux or android in the message.

  • Tor itself blocked?

    In Tor Browser, open the connection settings and choose a built-in bridge.

Encrypted DNS

Why: some blocks hide our names in your internet provider’s DNS, the internet’s address book. Our encrypted DNS gets around that. It also lets you open http://www.specterhq.

These steps are for computers. On a phone, use the app, an address above or Tor. Safari can’t use it, so on a Mac use Chrome, Edge or Firefox.

Use one of these DNS addresses:

  • https://162.217.248.53/dns-queryOn Windows, the server is 162.217.248.53.

  • Chrome or Edge

    Open Settings, search for secure DNS, turn on Use secure DNS, choose a custom provider and paste the DNS address.

  • Firefox

    Open Settings, search for DNS over HTTPS, choose Max Protection, set the provider to Custom and paste the DNS address.

  • Windows 11 (the whole computer)

    1. Settings
    2. Network & internet
    3. Wi-Fi
    4. Hardware properties (on a cable: Ethernet)
    5. DNS server assignment
    6. Edit
    7. Manual
    8. turn on IPv4
    9. Preferred DNS: the server above
    10. DNS over HTTPS: On (manual template)
    11. template: the DNS address
    12. Save
Then type http://www.specterhq in your address bar. It opens Specter. To undo, switch the setting back; on Windows, choose Automatic (DHCP).

Why we ask for your contact details

We ask for a phone number, email or mailing address for one reason only: if our website is ever blocked or shut down, we use it to send you our new address.

  • It is encrypted in your browser before it leaves your device. Our servers keep only the locked copy. The key that opens it is kept offline, not on any server.
  • We never share, sell or give it to anyone, including governments. Only the service that delivers our message (email, text or post) sees the address or number it delivers to. See section 13 of our Privacy Policy.
  • We ask once: right after you sign up, or the next time you sign in. Give one, two or all three, or skip. Both Save and Skip are final. There is no screen to change it yet.
  • Give more than one if you can. If one way to reach you is blocked, another may still get through.

Still have a question?

Ask Dexter, our AI assistant. It opens Dexter with this page in the chat and your question typed in; press send. No account needed to start.