How to Torrent with a VPN on Chromebook & Chrome OS

Unlike we have seen suggested elsewhere on the web, it is not necessary to use a cloud torrent service to download torrents on a Chromebook. In fact, thanks to Chrome OS increasing its support for Android and Linux apps, you can torrent files conventionally and it's never been easier.

Choose your path: Android or Linux

Before you torrent on a Chromebook, the first thing you need to decide is whether to do it in Android or Linux, although that decision might be made for you depending on what device you own. Almost all Chromebooks are now compatible with Android apps, while Linux support is reserved only for newer models.

Check if your device is compatible with Linux. 

Chrome OS's native integration of the Google Play Store means that torrenting using Android VPN and BitTorrent apps is undoubtedly an easier option. It is, therefore, the option we recommend for most Chromebook users, although Linux does have its advantages.

The main benefit of torrenting in Linux on your Chromebook is that it allows you to use full desktop BitTorrent clients, such as qBitTorrent. These are undoubtedly more powerful than their Android cousins, although it is questionable whether many torrenters will ever really use their advanced features. 

Below, we show you how to set up using both the Android and the Linux method, so you can pick the solution that works for you.

How to Torrent on Chromebook - The Android way

Chromebook users can torrent safely using Android VPN and BitTorrent apps available from the Play Store. Simply follow the steps below.

1. Enable Android apps (if you haven't already)

   Most Chromebooks these days support Android apps, although on older devices you may need to enable them by updating your OS and going to

   Settings -> Apps -> Google Play Store.

   Now you can access the expansive selection of Google's Play Store.

2. Sign up for VPN service

   Now that you have access to Google Play Store's expansive selection of apps, it's time to choose the right VPN for you. We recommend ExpressVPN as it's fast, reliable, and secure. If you want a list of great VPNs, then take a look at our best VPNs for torrenting article for more great services.

   These can be downloaded and installed for free, but you will need to subscribe to them via an in-app purchase.

   Looking for a free option? While free VPNs do exist, we do not recommend them for torrenting because they are both restrictive on data allowance and can be questionable with privacy. After all, there are many cowboys out there in the land of Android.

   Choosing the right VPN: If you do deviate from our recommendations, it's important to choose an Android VPN app that allows for torrenting. Most do, but those that don't may cancel your VPN account if they find you doing it.

   Once you have chosen your VPN, you simply need to install it onto your device, launch the app and choose a server.

   Top Tip: For faster torrenting choose a server closer to your real location. These tend to be faster than those further away.

   It's worth noting that while Android VPNs secure online activity from other Android apps and regular Chrome browsing, they do not protect Linux apps in the same way, as Linux runs in its own sandbox environment. Similarly, you can configure a VPN in Chrome OS itself using PPTP or L2TP/IPsec, but this also will not secure Linux sessions.

3. Enable a kill-switch

   A "kill-switch" prevents your Chromebook from accessing the internet without a VPN connection. They are particularly useful for torrenters because they often leave their computers downloading and seeding unattended for hours at a time. And a VPN dropout during that time can leave you very exposed!

   Please note: Kill-switches may be called something else, such as "Network lock" or even just "Firewall". Kill-switches are usually enabled manually in your VPN app but are sometimes transparently built-in. For example, the ExpressVPN app for Android includes a kill-switch labeled "Network protection."

    

   Can't find your kill-switch?

   Unfortunately, many Android VPN apps lack a kill-switch. If you can't see a kill-switch option in your VPN app, then contact your provider to ask if one is built-in. If one isn't, then either change provider or you can configure the OpenVPN for Android app to act as a kill-switch as so:

   a) Edit the specific connection in the "Profiles" tab.

   b) Go to the "Advanced" tab and check "Persistent Tun" and set "Connection retries" to Unlimited.

   You now have an OpenVPN kill-switch for Android, perfect for keeping your torrenting sessions private.

4. Download and install a BitTorrent app

   There are plenty of good BitTorrent apps available in the Play Store, although we like BigyBT because it is open source and ad-free. It also supports port forwarding, if this is important to you (we cover this later in step 8). 

5. Visit a torrent site in Chrome

   If you are not sure where to look, Google (or better yet, DuckDuckGo) can help. Many ISPs block torrent sites, so there's a very good chance you'll need a VPN running just to access them.

   Once there, you can browse or search for the content you want. Many BitTorrent clients have a built-in search function, but visiting a torrent site provides much more information about the torrents.

   Top Tip: Check out our torrenting safely guide to make sure you know what to look for when picking a torrent to download. Installing a good ad-blocker also wouldn't be a bad idea.

6. Start downloading a torrent

   Once you have found the content you want, click on its Magnet link or download its torrent file. 

   Please note: The IP address shown above belongs to our VPN server and is not our real IP!

   Once you click on a Magnet link or download a .torrent file, it should automatically open in your Android BitTorrent app and start downloading (Chrome OS and Android play nice with each other on a Chromebook these days). 

   Please note: If downloading a .torrent file doesn't auto-start your BitTorrent app, then simply double-click on it in the Chrome OS Files -> Downloads folder.

   It varies a bit by BitTorrent app, but most apps will ask where you want the torrent downloaded to. The torrent will then start downloading.

   And that's all there is to it. Once the content is downloaded, you can run it or open it in a suitable Android/Chrome web/Linux app.

   Top tip: For video content, we highly recommend the VLC for Android app, which is designed to play any file you can throw at it on a Chromebook.

7. Seeding

   It is considered good netiquette to seed torrents you have downloaded so that other users can also download them - sometimes even a requirement in certain communities. To do this, simply leave the torrent running in your BitTorrent app after you have finished downloading it. 

   For torrents obtained from public torrent sites, a seed ratio of 1:1 is usually considered sufficient. That is, you have seeded (uploaded) as much of the torrent data as you have downloaded. Private torrent sites often demand much higher seed ratios.

   Keep in mind that the Peers tab of your BitTorrent client provides graphic evidence about why you need to use a VPN when torrenting. It shows you the IP address of every other torrent user who is sharing (downloading or seeding) a file.

8. Port-forwarding (optional)

   Not all VPNs offer port-forwarding, but if yours does it can be used to improve torrent speeds. It isn't an essential feature, but certainly a handy one. 

   To find out more about the pros and cons of port forwarding, complete with instructions on how to enable it, please see our Ultimate Guide to VPN Port-Forwarding.

How to Torrent on Chromebook - The Linux way

1. Enable Linux (if supported)

   All new Chromebooks now come with Linux (Beta) enabled by default. If you have an older Chromebook which supports Linux, you can enable it by going to Settings -> Apps -> Linux (Beta) and turning it On.

   You will now find the Linux Terminal app in the Linux apps folder of your Apps Drawer.

   Top tip: With Linux, it's worth updating all existing packages before installing new ones by opening Terminal and running:

   sudo apt-get update

2. Install a Linux browser. 

   To install Firefox for Linux on your Chromebook, open Terminal and enter:

   sudo apt install firefox-esr

   You will now find Firefox in the Linux folder of the Chromebook Files app.

3. Install a Linux VPN app

   There are only two GUI Linux VPN apps, of which we have only had success running the Mullvad app under a Chromebook Linux environment (AirVPN's Eddie client will install but hangs on launch).

   The Linux command-line OpenVPN client works well, though, and can be used to connect to almost any VPN service. To install it, open Terminal and enter:

   sudo apt-get install openvpn

   In your Linux browser navigate to your VPN provider's website and download OpenVPN files for the server(s) you want to use.

   Top Tip: You might want to visit your Linux Downloads folder in the Chrome OS Files app and rename the downloaded OpenVPN files to something that's easy to type in.

   To run the VPN, open Terminal and enter:

   cd Downloads

   Followed by:

   sudo openvpn [openvpn file]

4. Download and install a Linux BitTorrent app

   The Chrome OS Linux container is based on Debian, and the Files app includes a packet manager that can install regular DEB files simply by double-clicking on them.

   Alternatively, you can install qBittorrent using the following Terminal command:

   sudo apt-get install qbittorrent

5. Visit a torrent site in the Linux Browser

   While BitTorrent clients include a handy built-in search function to discover new content, you lose out on benefits found when visiting websites directly, such as comments from the community, which can all help direct you towards reputable files.

   If you don't know where to look, try using Google or, preferably, DuckDuckGo to find the right website for you.

   Top tip: We recommend checking out our torrenting safely guide so you know what to look at for when picking a torrent to download.

   Unfortunately, ISPs place restrictions on many torrenting websites, meaning you will likely need to be connected to a VPN server to visit them.

   Consider using an Adblocker

   Although you might get lucky and choose one of the good ones, many of these websites rely on spamming visitors with pop-ups and inappropriate ads as a form of revenue. Worse yet, these can contain malicious files that you will definitely want to avoid. Simply choose a good adblocker and you will be able to navigate anywhere safely.

6. Start downloading a torrent

   You can begin downloading torrents directly by file, or by using the more convenient Magnet Link. There is little difference to the average user.

   Clicking either format should see a window pop-up in your BitTorrent client automatically, confirming the files you're about to download. You might also be asked if you want to associate Magnet links or .torrent files with your BitTorrent client if it is the first time you've clicked on it.

   In the event that your .torrent file doesn't boot your BitTorrent client, you will need to navigate through Files -> My Files -> Linux Files -> Downloads folder.

   This process might vary depending on the client you've chosen, but most clients will check you are happy with your downloads pathway. If successful, you should see your torrent begin downloading. 

   And that's all there is to it. Once the content is downloaded, you can run it or open it in a suitable Linux program, Android app, or Chrome Web App. 

7. Seed

   Seeding torrents is simply courteous to others in the peer-to-peer community. This is the process in which you upload parts of the file you've just downloaded so that others can repeat the process, creating a larger network that doesn't rely on the expensive costs of host servers. 

   Doing this is easy, as you simply need to leave the torrent open in your BitTorrent client once the download has finished. Generally, a 1:1 ratio is considered acceptable, as you have uploaded just as much as you've downloaded, but closed communities might expect more.

   Using a VPN is essential to avoid peeping Toms, as the Peers tab on your client shows the IP address of everyone that has downloaded and seeded the file - including yours. VPNs mask your IP address, replacing it with one belonging to one of its servers.

8. Port forwarding (optional)

   If your VPN service uses a NAT firewall (most do) and if it offers the feature (many don't), then you may want to port forward through the NAT firewall.

   If your VPN service doesn't use a NAT firewall... well, you can't port forward through something which doesn't exist. If it does, then port forwarding will likely improve your torrenting speeds. But doing so is most definitely not essential. 

   To find out more about the pros and cons of port forwarding, complete with instructions on how to do it, please see our Ultimate Guide to VPN Port Forwarding.

How to test your VPN is working before you torrent

The easy way

No BitTorrent client we know of supports IPv6 connections by default, although some (including qBittorrent) allow you enable this feature manually. WebRTC leaks and DNS leaks are browser-based issues and do not affect torrent clients. 

So as far as just torrenting is concerned, all you need do to check your VPN is working is to ensure your external IPv4 address is that of your VPN server. To do this, simply:

Having issues?

If you are still seeing the same IPv4 address on and off your VPN, then something is wrong. First, you should try reconnecting to your VPN. If this doesn't resolve the issue then contact your provider for further technical assistance. 

If you have an IPv6 connection and you have enabled IPv6 connectivity in your BitTorrent client, then you might run to check for IPv6 leaks using our new IP leak test tool. This is something that you probably want to do anyway if you also use the VPN at all for non-torrent related stuff. 

The paranoid way

Simply checking that you have no IPv4 leaks as described above is sufficient to show that your VPN is working properly for torrenting. If you are of a more paranoid disposition, however, then you can double-check specifically for torrenting using the ipMagnet tool.

How to test for speed

There are too many variables in play when it comes to torrent download speeds to isolate the effect using a VPN has on them. The most important of these are:

The number of seeds

How many peers are seeding the torrent you are downloading. The more sources you have, the faster your download speeds will be. There is nothing you can do about this except choose torrents that have a good seed (number of uploaders) / leech (number of downloaders) ratio. Most torrent websites clearly show these figures.

Your bandwidth

How much upload bandwidth you have (and are allowing the BitTorrent to use). The BitTorrent protocol is designed to encourage sharing by rewarding those who share more with higher download speeds.

All BitTorrent clients and apps allow you specify how much upload bandwidth they can use for seeding, although this is, of course, limited by whatever plan you have purchased with your ISP.

NAT Firewalls

A VPN that uses a NAT firewall may restrict incoming connections, which reduces the number of peers you have and, therefore, limits your upload speeds. This is why you might want to consider using port forwarding if your VPN uses a NAT firewall and supports the feature.

How to test the kill-switch

Finally, if you have a kill-switch enabled, you may want to test that it's working. To do this, simply: