Advanced Torrenting with YAMS 🌊

While Sonarr and Radarr handle most of your downloads automatically, sometimes you might want to download something manually. Let’s explore how to do that safely!

Manual Downloads 📥

Adding Torrent Files

1. Open qBittorrent at http://{your-ip}:8081

2. Click the “+” icon or “Add torrent file” button:

3. Select your .torrent file and click “Upload Torrents”:

4. Watch your download progress:

Finding Your Downloads

When your download finishes, find it in your media folder under the “downloads” directory:

/srv/media$ tree downloads/torrents/
downloads/torrents/
└── your-downloaded-file.iso

0 directories, 1 file

Safety First: IP Leak Testing 🛡️

Even with a VPN, it’s good practice to verify that your real IP isn’t leaking. Here’s how to do a thorough check:

Using the IP Checker

1. Visit whatismyip.net’s Torrent Checker and grab their test magnet link:

2. In qBittorrent, click “Add Torrent Link”:

3. Paste the magnet link and click “Download”:

4. You’ll see a new torrent called “Torrent Tracker IP Checker” in your list. Don’t worry - it won’t actually download anything!

5. Back on the checker website, you’ll see your torrent client’s IP:

Verifying the Results 🔍

For proper privacy protection, check that:

1. The reported IP is different from your real IP address
2. The IP matches what yams check-vpn reports
3. The country shown matches your VPN server location

Pro Tips for Safe Torrenting 🎯

1. Always Verify VPN First

   yams check-vpn
   

   Do this before starting any downloads!

2. Use the Kill Switch YAMS configures qBittorrent to only use the VPN network interface. If the VPN drops, downloads stop automatically.

3. Regular Testing

   • Run the IP leak test monthly
   • Check VPN status before large downloads
   • Monitor qBittorrent’s connection status

4. Download Organization

   • Use labels for different types of content
   • Set up category-specific download folders
   • Remove completed torrents regularly

5. Enable Port Forwarding

   • Check our Port Forwarding Guide
   • Significantly improves download speeds
   • Works automatically with ProtonVPN

Troubleshooting Common Issues 🔧

Downloads Won’t Start

1. Check VPN connection:

   yams check-vpn
   

2. Verify tracker status in qBittorrent
3. Try a different VPN server

Slow Speeds

1. Try a VPN server closer to you
2. Check if your VPN provider throttles P2P
3. Verify you’re not hitting VPN bandwidth limits

Connection Drops

1. Check VPN provider status
2. Try a different VPN server
3. Monitor system resources

Best Practices 📚

1. Keep VPN Active

   • Always check VPN status before downloading
   • Use yams check-vpn regularly
   • Monitor qBittorrent’s network interface

2. Regular Maintenance

   • Clear completed torrents
   • Update qBittorrent when YAMS prompts
   • Run periodic IP leak tests

3. Download Management

   • Set reasonable ratio limits
   • Use categories for organization
   • Monitor disk space regularly

Need Help? 🆘

Having issues with torrenting? We’ve got you covered:

1. Check the Common Issues page
2. Visit the YAMS Forum
3. Join our Discord or Matrix chat

Remember: Safe torrenting is good torrenting. Always verify your VPN is working before downloading! 🛡️