How to Use Magnet Links in Chrome (uTorrent and qBittorrent)
Magnet links not opening in Chrome?
Click a magnet link and nothing happens? It is one of those small frustrations that catches a lot of people out. The cause is almost always the same: Chrome does not have a torrent application set up to handle magnet links yet. Once it does, clicking a magnet link will hand it straight to your torrent client. This guide explains how to use magnet links in Chrome: what they are, the quick manual way to open one, and the permanent fix so they open with a single click.
What is a magnet link and how does it work?
A magnet link is a short line of text that starts with magnet:?. Instead of pointing to a file on a server, it holds a unique fingerprint of the file (called the info hash), and usually its name and a list of trackers.
When you open a magnet link, your torrent client uses that fingerprint to find other people sharing the same file. It first downloads the file details from them, then the file itself. The way clients swap those details is set out in the BitTorrent specification for magnet links, which is why any modern client can handle them.
Magnet links or torrent files?
A torrent file is a small download that you then open in your client. A magnet link skips that step, so there is nothing extra to save and nothing to lose if a site removes the torrent file. The trade off is that a magnet link can take a few seconds longer to start, because your client has to fetch the file details from other users first.
For most people, magnet links are simpler. You just need your browser and your torrent client to work together, which is what the rest of this guide sets up.
The quick manual method
If you just need to grab a file or two, you can pass the magnet link to your torrent client by hand:
- Right-click the magnet link and choose Copy link address.
- Open your torrent client (uTorrent, qBittorrent, Transmission or whichever you use).
- Choose Add Torrent from URL (in qBittorrent it is File, then Add torrent link).
- Paste the magnet link into the box and confirm.
- The download starts.
Fine for the odd file, tedious if you do it often. The better answer is to let Chrome open magnet links for you automatically.
Make Chrome open magnet links automatically
First, make sure a torrent client is installed and has registered itself as the handler for magnet links. Most clients ask to do this during installation, so reinstalling and accepting that option is the quickest fix if magnet links are being ignored.
With a handler in place, the next time you click a magnet link Chrome shows a small dialog asking whether you want to open it in that application. Tick the box to always allow it (the wording has shifted over the years, from “Always open these types of links” to “Always allow”), then confirm. From then on, magnet links open in your torrent client with a single click.
If no dialog appears, open Chrome’s settings, go to Privacy and security, then Site settings, then Additional permissions, and check Protocol handlers. That is where Chrome keeps the rules for which application handles which type of link, and where you can clear an old choice if you have switched torrent clients.
A note on versions
This guide reflects current versions of Chrome. The original version of this post was written for Chrome 33 and uTorrent 2.2.1 on Windows 7, and while the menus have been tidied up since, the principle has not changed: install a client, let it register as the magnet handler, and tell Chrome to open those links automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Why won’t magnet links open in Chrome?
Because no application is registered to handle them. Install a torrent client and let it set itself as the magnet handler, then allow Chrome to open magnet links in it.
Are magnet links safe?
A magnet link is just a way of pointing to a file, so it is only as safe as the file and source behind it. Stick to content you have the right to download, and keep your security software up to date.
Does this work on Mac and Linux?
Yes. The exact menu names differ, but the approach is the same: install a torrent client, let it register as the magnet handler, and allow Chrome to open the links automatically.
You saved my life. Thanks!
It does not work for me.
Windows 8.1 Chrome 34.0.1847.131
Key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTMagnetshellopencommand
Value: C:UsersRafaelAppDataRoaminguTorrentuTorrent.exe
Checked!
Chrome closed totally (no process found)
Local State updated with “magnet”:false
Chrome started and magnet links don’t work. Need to copy and paste.
Reopen Local State and changes keep in there. But links not working.
Try to change the local state file to read only. It worked for me.
You saved my life. Thank you very much 😀
WOrks for me. Thank you very much indeed !!!!!!!!!!
Cheers, mate 🙂
Thanks so much!!!
Very clear, worked for me… though it seems a bit superfluous to have the regedit step included, as mine IS a customized location and it did not effect the rest of the process. Thanks though!
Just as an add on, for some unknown reason, I had to change the local state file to read only as google chrome would revert it back to it’s earlier state.
Thanks so so much! I’ve been trying to fix this for hours and now I finally succeeded!
But it only worked after I change the local state file to read only.
Make sure nothing is running in the background that is even related to Chrome.
Nah, that’s not working for me. I tried different pages and the result is alwasys the same: chrome can’t handle magnet links. I checked, double-checked, the “Local State” file, and it is all correct. “magnet” is set to “false” (“magnet”: false), HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTMagnetshellopencommand is pointing to the right location. I also changed the “Local State” file to read-only, but that didn’t help either.
I tried with IE and it worked fine.
I’m running windows 8, and chrome 35.0.1916.153 m. “HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSoftwareClassesMagnet” doesn’t exist on my computer. I don’t know what else to do.
I had the same problem. I had to create the Magnet key by right clicking on Classes and choosing New > Key. Name it magnet and put the location of your torrent software in the data field, as shown in the article!
works for me on win 7 and opera 20.0.1387.82
thankyou it’s working ! .
i cant find app data please help
This worked perfectly! As someone who is not technologically savvy, the steps were very easy to follow. Thank you!
You’re welcome, glad it all worked for you 🙂
well thyis didnt work, msgnet isnt found in my registery keys and my chrome was already set to false, so, any suggestions?
Hi Raymond. Magnet wasn’t found in my registry keys either (Windows 8). Right click on Classes and choose New > Key. Name it magnet and put the location of your torrent software in the data field just like it shows in the article, with the location in quotes, and “%1” in its own set of quotes.
help i think i deleted it
Thanks a bunch it works.
Chrome is the worst, most insecure peice of shit I’ve ever tried to use, Not being able to open a simple file and instead launching DC++….. yeh use Firefox! Fuck Chrome
Fixed by changing the directory in the registry file to use instead of /, for some reason qBittorrent automatically uses the wrong one (i.e. when it asks you to set it as the default) which Chrome doesn’t respond to.
OMG YES! THANK YOU! FINALLY!
Hi, I had this happen to me where no magnet links worked OR could even find the URL on the right click so I went to the bottom of the right click on “inspect element” to find it in there to no avail, closed that element and it now works, go figure! but it seems to be working
thank you!!!! very helpful!
Thanks for the help…… It really worked…
Doesn’t work on Windows 10.
i am using windows 10 and i do not get the option of edit local state..what do i do?
Doesn’t work on Windows 10 either, but it was working previously.