In the world of mobile technology, Apple’s iOS has always stood out for its security and strict app guidelines. Unlike its counterpart, Android, iOS does not natively support torrenting due to Apple’s policies against it. However, for those seeking to download torrents on their iOS devices, there are workarounds—though they require additional steps and a bit of creativity.
iDownloader
If you’re looking to download torrents on your iOS device, iDownloader is one way to get around the restrictions. This app is primarily a web browser which has extended functionality including file downloads.
Detailed Steps:
- Search for the iDownloader app on the App Store and install it.
- Open iDownloader and use the built-in browser to navigate to a torrent website.
- Search for the torrent file you want to download.
- Once you have found the torrent, tap on the download link.
- iDownloader will start downloading the file onto your iOS device.
Summary:
iDownloader is user-friendly and provides a way to download files directly to your iOS device. However, it struggles with larger files and can be slower than traditional torrent clients.
Documents by Readdle
This is a versatile app that goes beyond simple downloading; it also helps in organizing files.
Detailed Steps:
- Install ‘Documents by Readdle’ from the App Store.
- Launch the app and use the web browser to find a torrent site.
- Locate the torrent you want to download and tap on the download link.
- Documents will download the file for offline access.
Summary:
With its file management capabilities, Documents by Readdle is a powerful tool. The downside is the complexity for users unfamiliar with file management systems.
Web-Based Torrent Clients
Cloud torrenting services are a reliable alternative that allows you to download torrents to a remote server before transferring them to your iOS device.
Detailed Steps:
- Using Safari or any web browser, sign up for a cloud-based torrenting service.
- Follow the service’s instructions to upload or link to a torrent.
- Wait for the file to download to the cloud service’s server.
- Download the file from the server to your iOS device.
Summary:
Cloud-based services provide a seamless torrenting experience without installing apps. The con is that they often come with subscription fees.
Torrent-Friendly Cloud Storage
Some cloud storage providers support torrent downloads directly to your cloud account.
Detailed Steps:
- Subscribe and set up an account with a torrent-friendly cloud storage provider.
- Use the provider’s service to download a torrent.
- Sync the downloaded file with your iOS device.
Summary:
This method ensures safety and is straightforward; the potential downside is the cost of subscription services that support torrents.
VPN Services
For privacy and bypassing restrictions, a VPN might be necessary for downloading torrents.
Detailed Steps:
- Choose a VPN provider that is known to support torrenting.
- Download their iOS app and connect to a server.
- Use one of the above methods to download your torrents safely.
Summary:
VPNs offer privacy and security but can complicate the setup process for inexperienced users. They can also slow down your internet connection.
Downloading Through Wi-Fi Transfer
You can use Wi-Fi transfer apps to download torrents on another device and then transfer them to your iOS device.
Detailed Steps:
- Download a torrent onto your computer.
- Use a Wi-Fi transfer app to send the file to your iOS device.
- Save the file within the app or open it in another compatible app.
Summary:
Wi-Fi transfer is straightforward after the initial setup but does require an intermediary device like a PC or Mac.
ZbigZ
ZbigZ is a web-based service that can be accessed through Safari on your iOS device and allows downloading of torrent files.
Detailed Steps:
- Navigate to ZbigZ on Safari.
- Upload your torrent link.
- Once the file is cached, download it directly to your device.
Summary:
ZbigZ is convenient as it doesn’t require any installations, but free accounts have limitations and slower download speeds.
Seedr
Similar to ZbigZ, Seedr is another service that offers direct torrent downloads through a browser.
Detailed Steps:
- Open Safari and go to the Seedr site.
- Create an account and upload your torrent link.
- Download the files after Seedr fetches them for you.
Summary:
Seedr provides a quick and user-friendly interface with free and premium options, but again, speed and storage are limited in free plans.
Torrent Apps via AltStore
For the more tech-savvy, AltStore provides a way to sideload apps not available on the App Store, including torrent clients.
Detailed Steps:
- Install AltStore on your iOS device.
- Use AltStore to sideload a torrent app.
- Use the sideloaded app to manage your torrents directly on iOS.
Summary:
AltStore sideloading allows access to more traditional torrent clients, but it’s a complex process for beginners and requires a computer.
Offline Pages Pro
Offline Pages Pro can save entire web pages, including linked content, for offline access.
Detailed Steps:
- Find the torrent file’s web page.
- Use Offline Pages Pro to save the entire page, including the .torrent link.
- Access the content offline whenever you need.
Summary:
This is a work-around way to ‘hold’ torrent links, but does not replace true torrent downloading functionality. It’s good for temporary or quick saves.
In conclusion, while iOS devices do not have native torrenting capabilities, several workarounds allow you to download and manage torrents on your device. Each method has its own set of advantages and potential downsides, from the simplicity and security of cloud-based services to the complexity and performance issues of sideloading apps. It’s important to choose the method that best fits your technical comfort level and privacy needs.
FAQs
Q: Is downloading torrents on iOS legal?
A: Torrenting is legal, but the content you download may have copyright restrictions. Always ensure that the content is either in the public domain or that you have permission to download it.
Q: Can I download torrents on iOS without jailbreaking my device?
A: Yes, the solutions provided above do not require jailbreaking your iOS device.
Q: Will using these methods slow down my iOS device?
A: Most of the methods shouldn’t slow down your device, but using a VPN may affect your internet connection speeds. Sideloading apps may also take up device resources.
