How to Install and Use qBittorrent: Complete Beginner’s Guide

qBittorrent is a free and open-source BitTorrent client that lets you download and share files via the BitTorrent peer-to-peer network.

Unlike a regular download, where a file usually comes from one website, BitTorrent can download different parts of a file from multiple users simultaneously. qBittorrent features a clean interface, contains no advertisements, and supports everything you need to build your media library.

Some of its main features include:

• Torrent-file and magnet-link support

• A built-in search engine

• File selection and prioritization

• Download and upload speed limits

• Categories and tags

• A Web UI for remote control

• Support for Windows, macOS, and Linux

The instructions in this tutorial are based on the latest stable version of qBittorrent. The main layout and features are identical across all supported operating systems. In this tutorial, we will show you how to install qBittorrent, search for and add torrents, manage your downloads, and play downloaded media with Kodi.

Common BitTorrent terms

Before using qBittorrent, it is helpful to understand a few basic terms:

• Torrent file: A small file with the .torrent extension containing information needed to locate the shared files.

• Magnet link: A link that allows qBittorrent to locate a torrent without first downloading a separate torrent file.

• Seeder: A user who has the complete file and is sharing it.

• Peer: Another user participating in the torrent.

• Tracker: A server that helps users participating in the same torrent find one another.

• Seeding: Uploading parts of a completed torrent to other users.

• Ratio: The amount of data you uploaded compared to the amount you downloaded.

A torrent with active seeders will normally download more reliably than one with no seeders.

Installation Instructions

For Windows:

• Go to the official qBittorrent download page: https://www.qbittorrent.org/download

• Find the Windows section.

• Download the standard 64-bit installer.

• Open the downloaded installer.

• Click Yes if Windows asks for permission.

• Choose your preferred language if requested.

• Follow the instructions displayed by the installer.

• Keep the default components selected.

• Choose the installation folder or keep the default location.

• Click Install.

• Wait for the installation to finish.

• Click Finish.

• Launch qBittorrent from the Windows Start menu.

For macOS:

• Go to the official qBittorrent download page: https://www.qbittorrent.org/download

• Find the macOS section.

• Download the DMG package.

• Open the downloaded DMG file.

• Drag qBittorrent into the Applications folder.

• Open the Applications folder.

• Launch qBittorrent.

For Linux:

The easiest method for most Linux users is to use their distribution’s built-in software manager (such as Ubuntu Software, Linux Mint Software Manager, Discover, or GNOME Software).

• Open your distribution’s main application menu.

• Launch your system’s Software Center or App Store.

• Search for qBittorrent.

• Select qBittorrent from the search results.

• Click Install.

• Enter your password if requested.

• Wait for the installation to finish.

• Launch qBittorrent from your application menu.

The official qBittorrent website (https://www.qbittorrent.org/download) also provides an AppImage for Linux, and it is widely available as a Flatpak on Flathub.

Understanding the qBittorrent main screen

The qBittorrent main screen contains the controls and information needed to manage your downloads.

The toolbar at the top includes buttons for:

• Adding a torrent file

• Adding a torrent link

• Deleting a torrent

• Starting a torrent

• Stopping a torrent

• Opening the settings

The left side of the screen includes filters for:

• Status

• Categories

• Tags

• Trackers

The central area displays your torrents and information such as Name, Size, Progress, Status, Seeds, Peers, Down Speed, Up Speed, ETA, and Ratio.

When you select a torrent, the lower section displays these tabs:

• General: General information about the torrent

• Trackers: The trackers associated with the torrent

• Peers: Users currently connected to the torrent

• HTTP Sources: Additional web sources, when available

• Content: The individual files included in the torrent

The Speed button in the lower-right corner displays a graph of the download and upload speeds.

How to use qBittorrent’s built-in search engine

Instead of manually browsing torrent indexing websites, qBittorrent features a built-in search engine that searches popular indexers right inside the app. This is much safer, as it helps you avoid the malicious ads and pop-ups commonly found on public torrent sites.

Here is how to enable and use the search engine:

1. Launch qBittorrent.

2. Click View on the top menu.

3. Click Search Engine.

4. A new Search tab will appear next to your Transfers tab. Click it.

5. Click Search plugins… in the bottom right.

How to install search plugins:

By default, the search plugin list is completely empty upon first use. You will need to add them manually.

1. Click the link provided right inside the Search plugins window (https://plugins.qbittorrent.org) to open the official community plugins page in your web browser.

2. Scroll down the list of plugins until you find the search engine you want.

3. Right-click the download link (usually a small Python icon or a link ending in .py) and click Copy link address.

4. Go back to qBittorrent’s Search plugins window.

5. Click Install a new one in the bottom left.

6. Click Web link.

7. Paste the link you just copied and click OK.

8. The plugin will now appear in your list.

How to search:

1. Type your movie or TV show into the search bar at the top of the Search tab.

2. Next to the search bar, use the drop-down menus to filter by category (such as Movies) and choose which plugin to search. Leaving the plugin menu on Only enabled will search all your installed plugins at once.

3. Hit Enter to start the search.

4. The results will populate from the plugins you selected.

5. Right-click the file you want from the results, and click Download.

How to add torrents manually

If you prefer to find your own files, you can grab torrent files and magnet links directly from public torrent indexing websites.

Here is how to add a torrent file:

• Download a .torrent file from a torrent indexing website.

• Launch qBittorrent.

• Click File.

• Click Add Torrent File.

• Select the torrent file.

• Click Open. A new window will appear.

• In the Save at box, choose the folder where you want to save the download.

• On the right side of the window, review the files included in the torrent.

• Uncheck the box next to any files you don’t want.

• Click OK.

The torrent will appear on the main screen. If automatic starting is enabled, qBittorrent will begin looking for peers and downloading the selected files. You can also drag a .torrent file directly into the qBittorrent window.

Here is how to add a magnet link:

A magnet link allows you to add a torrent without downloading a separate .torrent file.

• Copy a magnet link from a torrent indexing website.

• Launch qBittorrent.

• Click File.

• Click Add Torrent Link.

• Paste the magnet link into the box.

• Click Download. A new window will appear.

• Wait while qBittorrent retrieves the torrent information.

• In the Save at box, choose the folder where you want to save the files.

• On the right side of the window, review the files included in the torrent.

• Uncheck the box next to any files you don’t want.

• Click OK.

It may take several seconds for the file names to appear because qBittorrent first retrieves the torrent metadata from other peers. You can also click a magnet link directly in your browser, and it will request permission to open qBittorrent automatically.

How to choose which files to download

Some torrents contain multiple files (like extra languages, subtitles, or bonus features), but you may not need all of them.

Here is how to choose the files before starting the download:

• Add the torrent file or magnet link.

• Wait for the file list to appear in the new window.

• Expand any folders in the file list on the right side.

• Keep the required files checked.

• Uncheck the files you don’t want.

• Click OK.

You can also change the selection after adding the torrent:

• Select the torrent on the main screen.

• Open the Content tab at the bottom.

• Right-click the file you don’t want.

• Change its priority to Do Not Download.

How to start and stop a torrent

qBittorrent uses the terms Start and Stop to control torrents.

Here is how to stop a torrent:

• Select the torrent.

• Click the orange Stop button on the toolbar.

You can also right-click the torrent and click Stop. Stopping a torrent prevents it from downloading and uploading. It doesn’t remove the torrent or delete its files.

Here is how to start it again:

• Select the stopped torrent.

• Click the green Start button.

You can also right-click the torrent and click Start.

How to remove a torrent

You can remove a torrent from qBittorrent while keeping its downloaded files.

Here is how to remove a torrent:

• Right-click the torrent.

• Click Delete.

• Choose whether you also want to delete the downloaded files.

• Confirm the action.

To remove only the torrent entry, don’t select the option that deletes its files. Be careful when deleting a completed torrent. Selecting the file-deletion option may also remove the downloaded content from your storage device.

How to find your downloaded files

Here is how to open the download folder:

• Right-click the torrent.

• Click Open Destination Folder.

Your file manager will open the folder containing the downloaded files. You can also select the torrent and check its save location in the General tab.

What is seeding?

When a torrent reaches 100%, its status normally changes to Seeding. Seeding means qBittorrent is uploading parts of the completed torrent to other users. This allows other users to finish downloading the same files.

Here is how to stop seeding:

• Right-click the completed torrent.

• Click Stop.

Stopping the torrent ends the upload but doesn’t delete the downloaded files. qBittorrent also allows you to set automatic limits based on the share ratio or the amount of time a torrent has been seeding.

How to change the default download folder

You can choose where qBittorrent saves new downloads.

Here is how to change the download location:

• Launch qBittorrent.

• Click Tools.

• Click Options (Linux users: click Preferences. Mac users: click qBittorrent → Preferences).

• Select Downloads.

• Find the default save-path setting.

• Click the folder icon.

• Choose the folder where you want to save new downloads.

• Click Apply.

• Click OK.

New torrents will now use this folder by default. You can still choose a different folder when adding an individual torrent. qBittorrent can also use a temporary folder for incomplete downloads and move them after completion.

How to limit the download and upload speeds

Speed limits can prevent qBittorrent from using all the bandwidth on your internet connection. This can be useful if torrent activity affects online streaming, web browsing, or online gaming on your network.

Here is how to set global speed limits:

• Launch qBittorrent.

• Click Tools.

• Click Options (Linux users: click Preferences. Mac users: click qBittorrent → Preferences).

• Select Speed.

• Find Global Rate Limits.

• Enter the maximum download speed.

• Enter the maximum upload speed.

• Click Apply.

• Click OK.

The limits will apply to all torrents. You can also right-click an individual torrent and set a separate download or upload limit for it.

Why you should use qBittorrent with a VPN

Because torrenting is peer-to-peer, your actual IP address is visible to everyone else downloading or seeding the same file. When downloading from public indexers, this means your internet service provider and third-party monitors can easily track your activity.

A VPN solves this by masking your IP address and encrypting your traffic.

You can force qBittorrent to download only when your VPN is active. If your VPN disconnects, the download instantly stops, preventing accidental IP leaks. This is much safer than relying on a standard VPN kill switch.

You can find this advanced setting under: Tools → Options → Advanced → Network interface (Linux users: Tools → Preferences. Mac users: qBittorrent → Preferences).

Enabling the Web UI (for remote control)

Many users run Kodi on a device in their living room, but run qBittorrent on a separate desktop PC or network drive (NAS). Enabling the Web UI allows you to manage and monitor your qBittorrent downloads from the web browser of any device on your local network, such as your smartphone or a laptop on the couch, without needing to sit in front of your main computer.

Here is how to turn it on:

• Click Tools.

• Click Options (Linux users: click Preferences. Mac users: click qBittorrent → Preferences).

• Select the WebUI tab.

• Check the box for Web User Interface (Remote control).

• In the Authentication section, set a Username and Password.

• Click Apply and OK.

You can now access your qBittorrent client by typing your computer’s local IP address and the port number (usually 8080) into any web browser on your network (e.g., 192.168.1.15:8080).

How to play downloaded media with Kodi

After downloading a video file, you can play it with Kodi. Kodi must either be installed on the same computer or have access to the download folder over your local network.

Here is how to add the download folder to Kodi:

• Wait until the download reaches 100%.

• Right-click the torrent in qBittorrent.

• Click Open Destination Folder.

• Remember the location of the video folder.

• Launch Kodi.

• Select Videos.

• Select Files.

• Select Add videos.

• Click Browse.

• Locate the folder containing your videos.

• Open the folder.

• Click OK.

• Enter a name for the media source.

• Click OK.

• Select This directory contains.

• Choose Movies, TV shows, or Music videos.

• Choose the required information provider.

• Click OK.

• Click Yes when Kodi asks whether you want to scan the content into the library.

Kodi will scan the folder and attempt to identify the media. Recognized files can appear with artwork, descriptions, ratings, and other information. For the best results, keep movies and TV shows in separate folders and name the files correctly.

Read our full guide: How to watch videos from local storage with Kodi.

Is qBittorrent available for Android or Fire TV?

The official qBittorrent project does not provide an application for Android, Android TV, or Amazon Fire TV. qBittorrent is mainly intended for desktop and server operating systems.

If you are using a Fire TV Stick, you can run qBittorrent on your desktop PC and use the Web UI feature (mentioned above) to control it from your phone.

Can you close qBittorrent after the download finishes?

Yes. Closing qBittorrent doesn’t delete your downloaded files. However, it stops active downloads and seeding until you relaunch the application. Depending on your settings, closing the main window may minimize qBittorrent to the notification area instead of completely exiting it.

Conclusion

That’s it! You have successfully installed and learned how to use qBittorrent.

You can now:

• Utilize the built-in search engine

• Add torrent files and magnet links safely

• Choose which files to download

• Control torrents remotely via Web UI

• Find completed downloads

• Set speed limits and bind your VPN

• Play downloaded media with Kodi

With qBittorrent running smoothly, you have everything you need to start expanding your local media library and enjoying it directly on your Kodi setup.