You click a magnet link, but nothing opens, the wrong app launches, or the download gets stuck. Start with a compatible downloader, then paste the link directly into it if the browser handoff fails. The steps below cover opening links, choosing the right app, and handling stalled downloads. Use them only for files the publisher authorizes you to download and share.
Start with a compatible download app
A missing magnet-capable application leaves your browser without a registered downloader to open the link.
Get qBittorrent from its official Downloads page and install the stable build for your operating system. The offered stable builds support Windows 10 and newer, Linux, and macOS 13 and newer; the separately listed 5.3.0rc1 is a prerelease.
For another option, install Transmission from its official Downloads page. It offers Windows, macOS, and Linux packages. Its native Mac application supports macOS 11 and newer, while standard Windows packages require Windows 10 or newer.
A magnet identifies content. Opening the link, retrieving its metadata, and downloading the files are separate stages. Seeing your app open confirms the handoff, but the download still needs to obtain metadata and reach peers.
Open the publisher’s magnet link
With a compatible client installed, follow the branch for your browser.
- 1.Open the publisher’s download page and click the magnet link for the authorized files.
- 2.In Chrome, select Open [application]. When offered, select Always allow [origin] to open links of this type in the associated app before opening it to remember the permission.
- 3.In Firefox, select your client in Choose Application, or use Choose… to locate it.
- 4.To remember the Firefox client choice, select Always use this application to open magnet links. If offered, Always allow [host] to open magnet links separately remembers the website’s launch permission. Click Open Link.
Paste the link when clicking fails
Copy the complete magnet link from the publisher’s page. In qBittorrent on Windows or Linux, choose File > Add Torrent Link.... The shortcut Ctrl+Shift+O opens the same dialog.
Paste the full link into the dialog, using a separate line for each magnet when adding several downloads. Click Download.
If you use Transmission on Windows or Linux, choose File > Open URL… instead. Paste the magnet into Source:. Choose the download location under Destination folder:.
Set Start when added to your preferred behavior. Accept the dialog to add the download.
For Transmission on a Mac, choose File > Open Torrent Address…. Paste the magnet into the address dialog. Click Open. Tip: Direct pasting lets you add the download while leaving browser-handoff repairs for later.
Choose which app opens magnets on your computer
On Windows 11, open Settings > Apps > Default apps. Search for magnet as a link type, select the matching result, and choose your installed torrent application.
MAGNET is a link protocol, while .torrent is a file association, so each has its own default. The old qBittorrent association checkbox is absent from the Windows 5.2.4 interface. Use Windows Default apps to select the MAGNET handler.
On macOS with qBittorrent, open qBittorrent > Preferences > Behavior > File association. Select Use qBittorrent for magnet links and apply the change.
For Transmission on macOS, open Transmission > Preferences… > General. Beside Accept magnet links:, click Set Default Application.
Add a magnet link on Android
To download on your Android device, use an installed torrent app. LibreTorrent accepts links from other apps and supports manual pasting. Install LibreTorrent through a release or distribution route linked from its official project repository.
Tap the publisher’s magnet link in your browser. If Android displays an application chooser, select LibreTorrent. On Pixel devices that offer the choice, tap Always to keep that default or Just once for this launch.
Review the torrent options in LibreTorrent. Tap Add.
For manual entry, select Add link from LibreTorrent’s add menu. Paste the complete magnet into the link dialog. Tap Add to reach the Add torrent screen.
Review the download options. Tap Add again.
If the wrong app opens on a Pixel, open Settings > Apps > [current handler], using See all apps if needed. Other manufacturers use different settings labels. Select Open by default. Tap Clear default preferences.
Tap the magnet link again. Select your preferred torrent application.
Download through your browser with Webtor
Webtor provides a cloud route on desktop browsers, Android, iPhone, and iPad. Basic magnet opening requires neither an installed client nor an account.
Open Webtor in your browser. Paste the complete magnet into Magnet link or infohash…. Click Search.
Select the file you want. Use that file’s direct download link. Webtor’s servers fetch the torrent, and your browser receives the file over HTTP or HTTPS.
If this route fails, paste the magnet into a compatible installed client using the steps above. An already configured qBittorrent or Transmission Web UI is another option from a phone or tablet; its downloads are stored on the computer running the client.
Check peer discovery when the download stalls
Check whether the magnet reached your downloader before changing browser settings. For a public trackerless magnet in qBittorrent on Windows or Linux, open Tools > Options > BitTorrent. Enable Enable DHT (decentralized network) to find more peers.
Apply the change. Retry the public magnet download. Tip: Missing peers can block metadata retrieval even after a successful handoff, and DHT helps discovery without repairing browser associations or making unavailable content appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chrome’s protocol-handler setting choose my desktop torrent app?
No. Sites can ask to handle protocols lets websites request registration as web handlers. It does not install or select a desktop torrent client.
Can I use Instant.io instead of installing a torrent client?
Instant.io opens WebTorrent magnets in a WebRTC-capable browser. It needs WebTorrent/WebRTC-compatible peers or a CORS-enabled web source supplied in the magnet; ordinary TCP-only BitTorrent peers are insufficient.
Does µTorrent Web download entirely through a website?
µTorrent Web requires installed local software and uses a browser interface. Its name does not mean it is a browser-only cloud service.
Why do older instructions say Brave can download magnets itself?
Brave removed its built-in WebTorrent client in version 1.81. Current Brave desktop releases use an external magnet-capable application.
