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Your First Download
This guide walks you through completing your first torrent download from start to finish.
Step 1: Install a Torrent Client
Choose and install one of the recommended clients:
- qBittorrent — Best all-around choice. Free, open-source, no ads, available on Windows/macOS/Linux. Full guide →
- Transmission — Lightweight, ideal for macOS and Linux. Full guide →
- Deluge — Highly extensible via plugins. Full guide →
Step 2: Find a Magnet Link
Go to Magnetz and search for what you want. The search aggregates results from multiple sources including YTS, EZTV, 1337x, and others.
On the result page, click the magnet link icon or button. Your browser should prompt you to open it with your torrent client.
TIP
Look for torrents with a good seeder count (shown in green). More seeders = faster download. A torrent with 0 seeders is dead.
WARNING
Before opening any downloaded executables, read the Malware & Fakes guide. Stick to video, audio, and document files for your first downloads.
Step 3: Open the Magnet Link
When you click a magnet link:
- Your browser asks which app to open it with — select your torrent client
- The client shows an "Add Torrent" dialog
- Choose your save location (e.g.
~/Downloads/Torrents) - Click OK or Add
If the browser doesn't prompt you, copy the magnet link and paste it into your client via File → Add Torrent from URL (qBittorrent) or equivalent.
Step 4: Wait for the Download
Your client connects to the swarm and starts downloading. You'll see:
- Download speed — how fast pieces are arriving
- Upload speed — your contribution to other peers
- ETA — estimated time to completion
- Progress bar — fills as pieces complete
Download speeds depend on the number of seeders and your connection. Well-seeded torrents on a fast connection typically download at your ISP speed limit.
Step 5: Open Your Files
Once the torrent shows Seeding (100% progress), the download is complete. Your files are in the save location you chose.
Keep the torrent seeding (uploading) for a while after your download completes — it helps others and is especially important on private trackers where ratio matters.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Speed is very slow | Check seeder count; try different torrents; check firewall/port forwarding |
| Stuck at 99% | A piece from one peer is corrupted; wait — the client will re-download it |
| Magnet link doesn't open client | Set your torrent client as the default app for magnet: URIs in your OS settings |
| Client won't connect | Check your firewall allows your client through; enable DHT and PEX in client settings |
Next Steps
- VPN Guide — protect your IP address while torrenting
- Choosing a Client — configure your client properly for speed and safety