How to Install qBittorrent on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04

qBittorrent is a powerful, open-source BitTorrent client that offers a lightweight, user-friendly interface while providing advanced features like integrated search, RSS feed support, and a built-in media player. It’s known for its efficiency and extensive functionality, making it a preferred choice among users who need a reliable and robust torrent client. For those running Ubuntu, qBittorrent is available in both stable and unstable versions, allowing users to choose between the most tested release or the latest features.

On Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04, you can install qBittorrent using the “qBittorrent Team” Launchpad PPA, which provides access to the latest stable release for general users, or the unstable build for those interested in testing new features. Additionally, for Ubuntu server users, the guide will demonstrate how to install qBittorrent-nox, a version without a graphical interface, designed to be managed through the web UI, offering a lightweight solution for server environments. This guide will walk you through the installation process for both the desktop and nox versions, ensuring you have the best setup for your needs.

Import qBittorrent PPA For the Latest Stable or Pre-Release

Update Ubuntu Before qBittorrent Installation

Before we start, it’s essential to update your Ubuntu system to ensure all packages are up-to-date, which helps avoid conflicts during the qBittorrent installation.

First, update the package list by running the following:

sudo apt update

Next, proceed to upgrade any outdated packages using the following command:

sudo apt upgrade

Install Initial Packages for qBittorrent

With your system up-to-date, you must install the necessary dependencies for qBittorrent. These packages ensure your Ubuntu system can securely access and import the qBittorrent PPA. Run the command:

sudo apt install dirmngr ca-certificates software-properties-common apt-transport-https

This command will either install the necessary packages or check if they have already been installed.

Import qBittorrent PPA

To install qBittorrent, we must import the “qBittorrent Team” PPA containing the latest software version. You can choose between the stable PPA and the unstable PPA. The stable PPA contains well-tested versions, while the unstable PPA contains the latest features that may not be thoroughly tested.

Run the following command to import the PPA of your choice:

Option 1: Import qBittorrent stable PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:qbittorrent-team/qbittorrent-stable -y

Option 2: Import qBittorrent unstable PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:qbittorrent-team/qbittorrent-unstable -y

Update Packages List After qBittorrent PPA Import

After importing the qBittorrent PPA, update the packages list to include the newly added PPA. This ensures that your system can access the qBittorrent packages during installation. Run the following command:

sudo apt update

Install qBittorrent Desktop Client

In this section, we’ll install the qBittorrent desktop client on your Ubuntu system and launch it for the first time. The next section is for those who require the Web Interface version of qBittorrent, which is most commonly run on an Ubuntu server.

Install qBittorrent Desktop Client via APT command

Now that your system has the necessary dependencies and the qBittorrent PPA, it’s time to install the qBittorrent desktop client. Install qBittorrent using the updated package list by executing the following command:

sudo apt install qbittorrent

This command will fetch the appropriate qBittorrent package from the PPA and install it on your system.

Launch qBittorrent Desktop Client via CLI Command

With qBittorrent installed, you can launch and start using the application. To launch the qBittorrent desktop client (either stable or unstable, depending on which PPA you imported), you can use the following command in your terminal session:

qbittorrent

This command will open the qBittorrent client, and you can begin managing your torrents.

Alternatively, if you prefer to launch qBittorrent using an application icon instead of the terminal, you can access it through your system’s application menu. To do this, follow the path:

Activities > Show Applications > qBittorrent

Upon using the qBittorrent program for the first time, you will encounter a pop-up window displaying a legal notice. This notice protects qBittorrent from legal liabilities, as torrents play a substantial role in unauthorized downloads today.

Once you agree to the legal notice, the main window of your newly installed qBittorrent software will appear and be ready for use.

Install qBittorrent-nox Web-UI For Headless Environments (Ubuntu Server)

qBittorrent-nox allows you to install qBittorrent on a headless Ubuntu server or a remotely accessed desktop. With the WebUI interface, you can efficiently manage qBittorrent using your favorite browser.

Install qBittorrent-nox via APT command

To install qBittorrent-nox, run the following command:

sudo apt install qbittorrent-nox

qBittorrent-nox is designed for headless clients and is accessible via a Web interface at the default localhost location: http://localhost:8080. The Web UI access is secured by default. The default username is admin, and the default password is adminadmin.

Create a System User and Group for qbittorrent-nox

Instead of running qBittorrent-nox using the terminal command, you’ll create a systemd service unit that runs in the background and starts at system boot.

First, create a qbittorrent-nox user and group so the service can run as an unprivileged user:

sudo adduser --system --group qbittorrent-nox

The --system flag means you’re creating a system user instead of a regular user.

Example output:

Adding system user `qbittorrent-nox' (UID 129) ...
Adding new user `qbittorrent-nox' (UID 129) with group `qbittorrent-nox' ...
Creating home directory `/home/qbittorrent-nox' ...

Add Username to qBittorrent Group

Next, add your username to the qbittorrent-nox user group using the following command:

sudo adduser your-username qbittorrent-nox

Example using my username:

sudo adduser joshua qbittorrent-nox

Create a Systemd Service File for qbittorrent-nox

Create a systemd service file for qbittorrent-nox:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/qbittorrent-nox.service

Copy and paste the following lines into the file:

[Unit]
Description=qBittorrent Command Line Client
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=forking
User=qbittorrent-nox
Group=qbittorrent-nox
UMask=007
ExecStart=/usr/bin/qbittorrent-nox -d --webui-port=8080
Restart=on-failure

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Save the file (CTRL+O), then exit (CTRL+X).

Reload the Systemd Daemon for qbittorrent-nox

Reload your systemd daemon for the changes to take effect:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload

Start and Enable qBittorrent-nox

Start qBittorrent-nox with the following command:

sudo systemctl start qbittorrent-nox

To have qBittorrent-nox start automatically on boot, use the following command:

sudo systemctl enable qbittorrent-nox

Before proceeding, check the status to ensure everything is working correctly:

systemctl status qbittorrent-nox

Access qBittorrent Web UI

Using the Web UI, you can access qBittorrent through your local network’s browser. Type the server’s internal IP address followed by the port number (8080), for example, 192.168.55.156:8080. If hosted locally, use the localhost address 127.0.0.1:8080.

The default username is admin, and the default password is adminadmin.

Before taking any further actions, altering the default username and password to safeguard your qBittorrent Web UI is essential. To update the login details, navigate through the following route:

Tools > Options > Web UI > Authentication

At this point, you can modify the username and password to your desired combination. Doing so will guarantee that your qBittorrent Web UI remains safe and can only be accessed by those with the proper authorization.

Additional qBittorrent Commands

Update qBittorrent or qBittorrent-nox

While using the command line terminal might require more effort, it is often the most efficient way to keep your system up-to-date. To update qBittorrent or qBittorent-nox, run the following command:

sudo apt update

If an update is available for qBittorrent or qBittorrent-nox, proceed with the upgrade by executing the command below:

sudo apt upgrade

Remove qBittorrent or qBittorrent-nox

If you wish to uninstall qBittorrent, follow this simple process. First, remove the custom PPA if you installed it according to the previous tutorial.

To remove the PPA you imported, use the following commands:

Remove qBittorrent stable PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:qbittorrent-team/qbittorrent-stable -y

Remove qBittorrent unstable PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:qbittorrent-team/qbittorrent-unstable -y

Next, uninstall qBittorrent with the command below:

sudo apt remove qbittorrent

For users who have installed qBittorrent-nox, use the following command to remove it:

sudo apt remove qbittorrent-nox

Conclusion

Installing qBittorrent on your Ubuntu system via the “qBittorrent Team” Launchpad PPA ensures that you have access to the latest stable or unstable builds, depending on your preference. This method provides the flexibility to stay current with the latest features or to maintain a stable, reliable torrenting environment. For server administrators, installing qBittorrent-nox allows you to manage your torrents efficiently through a web UI, making it an ideal choice for headless servers. Regular updates through the PPA will keep your qBittorrent installation secure and up-to-date, ensuring a smooth and efficient torrenting experience on Ubuntu.

Useful Links

Here are some useful links related to using qBittorrent:

• qBittorrent Official Website: Visit the official qBittorrent website for information about the application, its features, and download options.
• qBittorrent GitHub Repository: Access the qBittorrent GitHub repository to view the source code, report issues, and contribute to the development.
• qBittorrent Wiki: Explore the qBittorrent wiki for detailed documentation, tutorials, and guides on using qBittorrent.
• qBittorrent Forum: Join the qBittorrent forum to discuss issues, share solutions, and get support from the community.