Download Torrents on Android – If you’re looking to download large files, there’s no better way to do it than downloading torrents. The process is decentralized, meaning there’s no server hosting the files, just tens or hundreds of different users sharing little bits at a time. You can use torrents to stream movie files or to download a new Linux distribution, to name but a few uses.
For most people, torrenting means using a PC or laptop to locate and download torrent files, but you don’t need to use a PC for torrents. You can use a portable device like a smartphone or tablet to download torrent files directly to your device without needing other equipment. Here’s how to do it.
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Essential Android Tools When Downloading Torrents
Aside from space, your Android device also needs an antivirus, Wi-Fi connection, and a VPN to torrent optimally.
1. Antivirus – Even when downloading data from a trusted source, it’s a good idea to have antivirus software on your phone or tablet. Wait until the file has been downloaded before scanning. If it detects any problems, delete the download immediately. It’s simply not worth letting malware infect your phone.
2. Wi-Fi – Mobile data these days isn’t as generous as it used to be. As such, if you’re torrenting larger files, it’s a good idea to do this on unmetered wireless internet. After all, you wouldn’t want your data allowance to run out! Switch to Wi-Fi before downloading data.
3. VPN – On a similar note, it’s a good idea to use VPN Software for downloading torrent files. Many VPNs support this functionality, and it’s a useful option that can help prevent privacy issues.
While this isn’t likely to be a problem when downloading an open-source operating system, you still might want to take a look at the best Android VPNs on offer to protect yourself.
How to Download Torrents on an Android Device:
- Go to the Market and download and install an app called Downloader. Other free options are available, but this app combines ease of use with no download throttling.
- Open the downloader and configure where you would like it to save your files. Press the “Settings’ gear icon on the top left corner and then tap “Download Directory” to set your torrents’ download location. Unfortunately, there is no drop-down menu for selecting directories, so you must manually enter a path.
- If you’re unsure what path to enter, use Astro File Manager or a similar tool to see the complete directory paths. But /mnt/sdcard/Download should work for most Android devices. Now you’re ready to find and download torrents!
- Open your browser and visit a torrent repository, such as www.seedpeer.me. Type whatever you’re searching for in the search box to the right of the Seedpeer logo and tap “Torrents.” I’ll use “Mozart” as an example.
- Find a torrent that looks appealing and tap its name. (Hint: For best download performance, choose a torrent with a high number in the “Seeds” column. Seeds are users who are sharing a given file in its entirety.)
- Tap the “Download this Torrent” link. Do not press any of the other buttons. If prompted to “Complete action using,” choose downloader.
- Tap the downloaded file icon in the notification area, which should show the name of the downloaded torrent
If prompted to choose a program for completing the action, select “downloader.” When the downloader opens, confirm that you want to download the file, then wait as your download progresses. Once finished, you can access or manipulate the file as you would on any other file saved on your device.
Download Torrents on iOS Devices
Downloading torrents on Apple devices like an iPhone and iPad might be a nice idea, but unfortunately, that’s as far as it goes. Apple doesn’t allow apps that support BitTorrent on the App Store, and that’s a policy that is unlikely to change in the future.
You would probably need to use a seedbox to download your Torrent files remotely to get around this. From there, you would have to download your files from the remote server to your iOS device. If your iOS device has been jailbroken, you might be able to sideload BitTorrent apps directly, but this isn’t a process that we would necessarily recommend, given the risks.
Types of Torrents For Android and iOS Devices
- BitTorrent – The app is basically the same as uTorrent, and it’s from the same manufacturer, but it also promotes a lot of legal content that you can get for free.
- uTorrent – This is the most popular torrent client on all devices. You choose your download location, and you can enable an option for Wi-Fi-only downloads.
- Flud – A reliable torrent client with a straightforward and easy-to-use interface. It has support for large files, and RSS feeds. Also, it has a great magnet link support, as it can recognize magnet links from your browser. Its interface is nicely optimized for tablets, and you can also download a few different themes.
- LibreTorrent – LibreTorrent is a lot less popular, but it’s both effective and simple to use. It doesn’t use up a lot of resources yet does all the basics right.
- FrostWire – This client has a built-in torrent search engine, music player, media library, and many other interesting additions. If a torrent has several files in it, you can choose which one to download.
