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Mookey
Asked: 2016-12-15 14:25:16 +0800 CST

Make WebTorrent handle magnet links

  • 772

I seem to have forgotten how to make WebTorrent, or any torrent application automatically grab the magnet torrent links from websites like thepiratebay.org?

There's no file to download so I cannot choose the prefered application, and it's being opened my the Ubuntu's default - Transmission.

Help?

bittorrent

2 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    • Desktop default or any tool using xdg-open directly (including Chrome/Chromium). To check the current default use:

      ~$ xdg-mime query default x-scheme-handler/magnet
transmission-gtk.desktop

      To check available tools:

      ~$ grep -r -e "application/x-bittorrent" -e "x-scheme-handler/magnet" /usr/share/applications/
/usr/share/applications/deluge.desktop:MimeType=application/x-bittorrent;x-scheme-handler/magnet;
/usr/share/applications/transmission-gtk.desktop:MimeType=application/x-bittorrent;x-scheme-handler/magnet;
/usr/share/applications/mimeinfo.cache:application/x-bittorrent=transmission-gtk.desktop;deluge.desktop;
/usr/share/applications/mimeinfo.cache:x-scheme-handler/magnet=transmission-gtk.desktop;deluge.desktop;

      To set another tool, for example Deluge:

      xdg-mime default deluge.desktop x-scheme-handler/magnet

    • Firefox lets you choose which application handles each type of link (URL):

      Firefox menu → Preferences → Applications → magnet: Choose Use other.

      Firefox: setting magnet handler

    • 5

  2. You can copy the address (by right click) and past it (with Ctrl+V) in WebTorrent after File -> Open Torrent Address.

    This is not automatic but it should work. The automation depends on the browser you are using.

    You should try to see in your browser documentation for an "left-click" solution.

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